TechTip-Rotary Screw Air compressor
Rotary screw air compressors use rotary-type, circular movement to compress the air. Capable of running continuously – they don’t need to be shut on and off. These are one of the most popular types of compressors in many industries. An industrial rotary screw compressor has a 100% duty cycle. It can run 24/7 without a break, and in fact it usually works better and lasts longer when it’s used that way. There are rotary screw air compressors with just one screw, as well. However, they’re not very popular when it comes to compressing air. The assembly that includes the rotors and the housing they’re in is called an “air end” or airend.
The oil is separated out of the air by centrifugal force – as the air spins around in the tank, the oil drops out because the oil particles are heavier than the air particles. Usually there are baffles in the tank that assist with this. There is also a separator element that takes out nearly all the remaining oil – all but a few parts per million (usually 3 ppm).
This is the terminology for all rotary compressors, whether they be rotary vane, scroll, screw or lobe – the part that compressesthe air is called Air end The airend doesn’t just compress air; it compresses an air/oil mixture. That mixture then flows into a tank called the separator tank or sump.
Air comes in through the inlet valve and gets funneled through twin helical screws, known as rotors, that pressurize the air. As the screws turn, the volume decreases and air pressure increases.
Rotary screw compressors are the workhorses behind a majority of manufacturers worldwide. Theyare used when large volumes of high-pressure air are necessary .If you see a big building, and they make stuff there, there’s a good chance there is