Uncategorized
Why Monitoring and Controlling Particles is Crucial for Rotary Screw Air Compressors
Rotary screw air compressors are vital in many industrial processes, providing reliable compressed air for everything from powering tools to supporting manufacturing operations. However, these high-performance machines are not immune to wear and tear, particularly when contamination sneaks into their lubricants. For engineers responsible for maintaining rotary screw compressors, understanding how particles impact performance—and how…
Read MoreAn Unvarnished Look at Synthetic Lubricants for Compressors and Turbines
This article, published in Tribology & Lubrication Technology (February 2025), explores the role of synthetic lubricants in compressors and turbines, focusing on varnish formation, oil oxidation, and the benefits of oxygen-containing synthetic oils. Key Topics Covered: This resource is valuable for engineers and maintenance professionals seeking to enhance efficiency and longevity in industrial equipment. Please download…
Read MoreProperties 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 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 2
The Problems Created by Water – Let’s Count the Ways! Water is an extremely challenging and complex contaminant. It negatively impacts compressor oils and internals in different ways which require different strategies to prevent or mitigate the damage that water can do. A partial list of the ways that water works to constantly attack air…
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 MoreBenefits of Condition Based Maintenance versus Time Based Maintenance for Rotary Screw Air Compressors
Maintenance is an essential aspect of any machine or equipment’s life cycle. The two most commonly used maintenance strategies are “Preventative’ Time-Based Maintenance (TBM) and “Predictive” Condition-Based Maintenance (CBM). In this article, we will compare and contrast these two maintenance strategies, specifically in the context of rotary screw air compressors. Brief history of maintenance practices…
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 MoreReduce Compressor Operating Costs with Oil Purification
Compressed air is often referred to as the “fourth utility”, and like electricity, water, and natural gas, is critical to most manufacturing operations. The prevalent type of air compressor used today to produce this utility is the oil-flooded rotary screw. These compressors are favored for their low capital cost yet can be quite expensive to…
Read More