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Having used oil-free compressors for such a long time, what are the advantages and disadvantages of oil-free screw air compressors?

2021-09-23View Original

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Oil-free air compressors are being used more and more often. What exactly are oil-free compressors? An oil-free air compressor is a compressor that does not use lubricating oil inside its cylinder. Difference between oil-free air compressors and oil-lubricated air compressors: The term \"oil-containing\" or \"oil-free\" in reference to air compressors generally denotes the level of oil content in the gas emitted from the compressor’s exhaust outlet. Generally, oil-lubricated compressors have a higher oil content, while oil-free compressors have an oil content of 0.01 ppm; it is this oil content that is used to distinguish between oil-containing and oil-free air compressors.  Today we will mainly look at the advantages and disadvantages of oil-free air compressors. Advantages of oil-free screw air compressors: 1. Fuel savings – Using oil-based air compressors results in waste of lubricant. Taking a 7.5KW high-quality oil-based air compressor as an example, it consumes 5 kilograms of lubricant per month; over the course of a year, this amounts to an additional cost of 60 kilograms in lubricant. 2. Simplicity – Oil-free air compressors eliminate the need for lubricant altogether, thereby preventing oil from entering subsequent systems and making maintenance simpler. 3. Current water removal devices such as refrigerated dryers, heatless regeneration dryers, and microheat regeneration dryers lose their ability to remove water due to the presence of oil in the compressed air ; The clean, oil-free gas produced by the oil-free compressor provides thorough protection for the water removal equipment, thereby reducing the additional financial costs associated with its maintenance. What are the disadvantages of oil-free screw air compressors? 1. The exhaust temperature of the compressor unit is very high. Generally, the exhaust temperature of oil-free screw compressors can reach 180 degrees. Manufacturers usually take some protective measures before the compressors leave the factory, but it is still necessary to be careful when handling these high-temperature components to avoid burns or even fire hazards. 2. Repair issues after the host unit is damaged  At present, aside from a few manufacturers that offer repairs for oil-free host units, other manufacturers require the direct replacement of the host unit, and the cost of such replacement is very high. 3. Coating peeling issue on oil-free screws  Currently, there are two types of coatings available for oil-free screw compressors: one is Teflon, which has average performance, and the other is molybdenum disulfide, which is of much better quality. Both types have a limited service life, and they also require high levels of moisture control. Therefore, when the oil-free screw compressor is not in use, it is necessary to rotate the machine regularly to prevent it from sticking due to prolonged inactivity. Malfunctions where the host gets stuck often occur due to such reasons.   In fact, the use of oil-free compressed air is increasingly becoming a trend in the pharmaceutical industry. However, it’s not necessary to opt for oil-free air compressors in order to achieve an oil content of less than 0.01 ppm. Modern, reliable oil removal systems used with oil-lubricated air compressors can also achieve an oil level below level 0. Such systems do not require frequent replacement of filters and other consumables, which makes them more convenient to use and results in significantly lower overall costs.   Each type of air compressor has its own advantages and disadvantages. When making a choice, it is necessary to select the one that best suits one’s specific needs; there are no strict rules. It is sufficient to be aware of the advantages and disadvantages of each type of air compressor, as a thorough understanding will help in making the right choice.
Reply #22021-09-23
What is the difference in initial investment costs for overall operating expenses?
Reply #32021-09-23
Are you asking about the comparison between oil-lubricated air compressors and oil-free compressors used in degreasing equipment?

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