How to choose the right AIRERA compressor system for you

Air compressors have been used in industry for over 100 years because air is a resource that is safe, flexible, clean and convenient. These machines have evolved into highly reliable* devices that are virtually essential in the many applications they serve. Compressors can come in many different types and sizes.

The most common types of compressors in use today are:

Screw compressors

Rotary Sliding Vance Compressor

Reciprocating or piston compressor

centrifugal compressor

Although other types of compressors are also available

Screw compressors work by air filling the gap between two helical mating screws and their casings. As the two helical screws turn, the volume decreases resulting in an increase in air pressure. Most screw compressors inject oil into the bearings and compression areas. The reasons are cooling, lubrication, and creating a seal between the screw and the housing wall to reduce internal leakage. After the compression cycle, the oil and air must be separated before the air can be used by the air system.

Rotary vane compressors such as reciprocating and screw compressors are positive displacement compressors. The compressor pump is mainly composed of rotor, stator and 8 vanes. The slotted rotor is arranged eccentrically within the stator, providing a crescent-shaped swept area between the intake and exhaust ports. Compression is achieved as the volume goes from a maximum at the intake to a minimum at the exhaust as the rotor makes one revolution. The vanes are forced out of the rotor slots and are held against the stator walls by rotational acceleration. Oil is injected into the air intake and along the stator walls to cool the air, lubricate the bearings and vanes, and provide a seal between the vanes and the stator wall. After the compression cycle, the oil and air must be separated before the air can be delivered to the air system.

Reciprocating or piston compressors are the most common machines on the market. They are positive displacement compressors and can be found in the range from small to very high horsepower. Positive displacement air compressors work by filling a chamber with air and then reducing the volume of the chamber (reciprocating, rotary screw, and rotary vane are all positive displacement compressors). A reciprocating compressor works very similarly to an internal combustion engine, but is basically the opposite process. They have cylinders, pistons, crankshafts, valves and housing blocks.

Centrifugal compressors are not positive displacement compressors like reciprocating, screw or vane compressors. They use very high-speed rotating impellers (up to 60,000 rpm) to accelerate the air and then use a diffuser to slow it down. This process is called dynamic compression, and it uses velocity to cause an increase in pressure. In most centrifugal compressors, there are several such impeller/diffuser combinations. Typically, these machines have intercoolers between each stage to cool the air and remove 100% of the condensate to avoid damage to the impeller due to erosion.

Therefore, you need to choose a compressor that suits you, you need to know the gas consumption of your factory, and you need to consult the local AIRERA partners.