Air compressors can be versatile and efficient, offering good energy and money saving technology that can help workplaces of all kinds. Screw compressors in particular are popular with industries like food packaging, manufacturing and construction, where they might need to be used on a continuous basis throughout the day. This type of compressor has the capacity to be used 24/7, delivering excellent energy efficiency and reliable air compression.

What are screw compressors, how do they work and what might they be used for?

Screw compressors and rotary screw compressors are used in a range of industries, fulfilling various applications in manufacturing and construction environments. Due to their high capacity for continuous operation, they are often employed in very demanding industries where it’s essential that the compressors are working to their full potential, saving time, energy and money.

Screw compressors can be used in one fixed place, or they can be portable, in which case they will usually make use of a diesel engine for their operation. When they are more portable, they might be described as construction compressors rather than just rotary screw compressors. If they are used in construction, some of their applications might involve supplying compressed air for use in pneumatic pumps. spray paint systems, jack hammers and more.

There are two key types of screw air compressor: oil free and oil injected. If environment is the primary consideration at all times, then an oil free compressor might be preferable. They use the screws to compress the air, rather than relying on oil. If you do require an oil injected screw compressor, this means that oil is used in compression cavities and will be a cooling sink for gas. Oil free air compressors will need to be a little more intricately constructed. There won’t be any oil to seal the rotors and cool down compressed air, so other solutions have to be found. There will be water to cool down the element, passing through pockets that are specifically formed for this purpose. This is how it’s possible to have an air compressor that doesn’t use oil and to be more environmentally friendly with it.

If you have a rotary screw air compressor, these are some of the functions that it might be able to carry out:

• Providing compressed air for large industrial applications
• Continuous air demand – areas such as food packaging may require this
• Provide compressed air for jack hammers, riveting tools and other pneumatic tools, as required

In this way, it’s a good investment and can provide lots of power for relatively small amounts of output.

Specifying rotary screw compressors and finding the right options for each application

When specifying a rotary screw compressor, there are various different kinds, from 15 to 22 kW compressors, to 250 to 315 kW compressors. Do your research, know what you need for your industry and talk thoroughly to the air compression specialist suppliers who are helping you. They can tell you what you need to do in order to get the right rotary screw compressor and get maximum functionality out of it.