Compressor Reliability
Properties and Performance of Rotary Screw Air Compressor Oils
The performance, reliability, and maintenance cost of a rotary screw air compressor are heavily influenced by its oil. Both the condition of the oil while in service and the specific type of oil or base stocks used are critical to compressor operation and longevity. Compressor Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and oil suppliers offer a variety…
Read MoreFlush Procedures for Rotary Screw Air Compressors
Oil-injected rotary screw air compressors are one of the toughest applications there is for any type of lubricant or coolant. But when you try to perform both critical functions with a single fluid, and continuously pump large volumes of reactive air and contaminants directly into it, it is no wonder that oil-related reliability problems are…
Read MoreAcid Gas Ingestion in Rotary Screw Air Compressors
Acid gas ingestion in rotary screw air compressors is a frequent problem that poses significant challenges, primarily due to the destructive nature of these gases and their impact on both the compressor’s mechanical components and the lubricant. Acid gases, like those contained in combustion exhausts, cooling tower emissions, welding fumes, process vapors, herbicides, pesticides, and…
Read MoreHow Temperature Affects Oil Performance and Service Life in Rotary Screw Air Compressors
Rotary screw air compressor oils must maintain their ability to lubricate, cool, seal, clean, and protect compressor internals across a wide range of ambient and operating temperatures. From freezing cold start-ups to scalding hot full load operation, these variations in temperature cause both temporary and permanent changes to the oil’s physical, chemical, and performance properties.…
Read MoreSeven Essential Oil Analysis Variables for Rotary Screw Air Compressors
Oil analysis stands as a cornerstone in the arsenal of tools for monitoring and ensuring the reliability of rotary screw air compressors. This practice not only saves costs but also optimizes oil change intervals, detects potential issues early on, and allows for corrective actions before they escalate into expensive repairs and downtimes. However, it’s crucial…
Read MoreUnderstanding and Managing Acid Contamination in Rotary Screw Air Compressors
Optimizing air compressor reliability and maintenance costs are vital aspects of ensuring efficient operations in industrial facilities. However, one often overlooked culprit that undermines these goals are the acids found in the compressor’s oil. These acids pose a significant threat to the longevity and performance of oil-injected rotary screw air compressors, and are at the…
Read MoreWater – the Scourge of Air Compressor Oils – Part 3
Protecting Compressor Oils & Components Against Water As mentioned earlier in this series, there is an endless supply of water available in the air to contaminate and attack compressor oils and internals and drive-up maintenance costs. But with proper oil selection, monitoring, and maintenance, water can be controlled, and serious problems associated with water contamination…
Read MoreWater – the Scourge of Air Compressor Oils – Part 1
Different States, Different Oils, Different Impacts Water is the most abundant molecule on the planet. It covers about 71% of the Earth’s surface as a liquid and occupies up to 4% of the air we breathe as a gas. So, it should come as no surprise that water is also found in all rotary screw…
Read MoreUltra-Fine Filtration for Enhanced Air Compressor Reliability
More than 70% of all equipment failures can be attributed to lubricant contamination. As one leading air compressor OEM states, “Particulate contamination is the #1 enemy of air compressors…a surefire way to destroy your investment. It will reduce the life of the air end, the separator and the fluid, and will increase horsepower leading to…
Read MoreHow Acids Impact Air Compressor Reliability and Maintenance
It is impossible to talk about air compressor reliability and maintenance without discussing acids. Acids are the silent killer of oil-injected rotary screw air compressors and they’re lurking inside your compressors oil waiting to do harm. The root cause of most routine compressor maintenance, and many major repairs, can be directly traced back to acids. …
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