SCREW COMPRESSORS

Overview

We offer a complete range of oil-lubricated and oil-free air and gas compressors suitable for any application and environment. All our products can be customized to your specifications and requirements. We are free to choose any compressor brand upon your request or best suitability for the application.

Airpack screw type compressor packages have a compact design making them very suitable to be used in tight spaces such as on a FPSO or offshore platform. They are available in a wide range of capacities, however, the pressures are limited to 11 bar(g) for the oil-free screw compressor and 13 bar(g) for oil-lubricated type depending on the ambient temperatures. The range of each compressor type can be found here. Do you need to go higher in capacity or pressure? Check out our reciprocating and centrifugal compressors or contact our sales team, they are ready to help you find your solution!

Features:

  • Small footprint
  • Available in oil-lubricated and oil-free
  • All compressor brands are possible

 


 

About Screw compression

That humankind has numerous technologies to condense air or gaseous molecules into ever smaller spaces is a marvel in and of itself. More amazing is that improvements in such instrumentation are ongoing, adding to efficiency, safety and profitability in many different industries. Building construction routinely employs air compression in riveting, jack-hammering, pneumatic pumping, sand-blasting and large-scale painting. It stands to reason that new technology that enhances capability and performance will help to strengthen quality and minimize cost overruns. Among the more recent developments in this field is the rotary-screw compressor. Among its assets is its capacity to process a larger volume of gas.

How Does the Screw Compressor Work?

Like other compressor designs, the rotary compressor operates on the principle of positive displacement. In essence, this means that a volume of gas is trapped in a vessel or container, the space of which is reduced by one mechanism or another thereby boosting the pressure on the gaseous molecules just before they are ejected from the chamber. It is the mechanism that distinguishes each type of compressor. The screw type compressor employs two rotors that enmesh with one another to achieve compression. The rotors interlock because each is outfitted with lobes and flutes, the “female” rotor generally having more flutes into which the “male” lobes insert themselves.

As the rotary type compressor functions, the lobe rolls down its corresponding flute (or valley) which encases the gas. As this rotation continues, the gas is deprived of more and more space. When the lobe reaches the end of its groove, the gas is discharged at a considerably lower volume. In this manner, the industrial screw compressor effectively condenses air or other gas for efficient containment. This compression may or may not be lubricated with oil, which seals the chamber and can muffle noise.

What Makes the Screw Air Compressor Unique?

The rotary screw air compressor possesses advantages given its distinctive design.

A 100 Percent Duty Cycle

A duty cycle is a ratio of how long a rotary screw or other compressor can produce pressurized air the total time consumed by the cycle. This is because run time generally must be followed by a cool-down period. So, if the total cycle is one hour and the running time is 20 minutes, that means the duty cycle is about 33 percent since the remainder of the hour is spent in cool-down phase. Yet with the screw type air compressor, the duty cycle is 100 percent, meaning it can pressurize air continually, producing a greater amount of air or gas.

More Efficient Production

The horsepower of the motor is proportional to the total output of compressed air in terms of volume. In comparison to other compressors, the rotary screw yields a higher cubic feet per minute output per unit of horsepower. Thus, the benefits of longer running time are compounded by stronger production.

Meanwhile, this design performs more quietly and can save on energy costs as well.

Variations in Screw Compression Designs

Oil vs. Oil-Free

Some compressors require regular lubrication with oil, especially in their pumps. Like an automobile or lawn mower or snow blower, these must have oil added and changed consistently for good performance. The screw compressor oil is either splashed onto the walls of the air chamber and into the bearing or otherwise, it is pumped to its destinations. Still, there are other models where the cylinder walls are self-lubricating, making the screw compressor oil free.

Single vs. Double

The compression action described above is that of a twin or double screw compressor, where two screw rotors mesh together. A single screw compressor, on the other hand consists of one main rotor interacting with two flat, radial-shaped rotors on either side. Each kind has its pros and cons. One single screw drawback is that the gate rotors require frequent replacement. Though wear and tear is less of an issue with double screw, this compressor is, accordingly, somewhat more expensive.

Power Options

Compressors can be powered by diesel, gasoline or hydraulic sources. In addition, they can be connected to the power takeoff (PTO) of a tractor or other heavy-duty work vehicle from which to draw energy. A diesel screw compressor uses a more efficient energy form because diesel is denser than gasoline. The hydraulic compressor converts hydraulic power into mechanical power and, in turn, mechanical power into air power. Electric compressor technology is also gaining attention and investment.

Other Options

Screw compressor manufacturers are also creating packages like the rotary screw air compressor with dryer. The dryer helps to eliminate vapors and droplets of water in the works thereby warding off corrosion and sub-par performance.

In Summary

Compressors based on screw technology are found in construction, transportation, medical equipment and a host of other environments. The action of inter-meshing rotors accommodates high volumes and high pressures. Moreover, there are numerous variations of this kind of compressor in mechanics, power and attachments.

Advantages

Why choose an Airpack screw compressor package? This is why:

Reliable delivery of compressed air and gas
At Airpack we strive to deliver quality products that will last for more than 25 years and require only standard maintenance. We do not just deliver the product but ensure it is commissioned and in working condition when we leave the site. We guarantee spare parts supply during the lifetime of the package and offer worldwide aftersales service in case of required maintenance or troubleshooting.

High quality products
Delivering high quality products is in our DNA! We know how important it is for our customers to have equipment that has a long lifetime and high performance. Airpack therefore only uses suppliers that deliver high quality materials and equipment. The packages are assembled and thoroughly tested in our workshop to make sure it is ready for operation on arrival.

Customized design
No application or environment or customer is the same. This is why we deliver products that are made according to your specifications and requirements. Do you have space restrictions, severe ambient conditions, is it difficult to do maintenance or do you have any other concern, we are ready to help you find a solution! Contact our sales team to discuss the options.

One responsible supplier
We can supply a full range of products, for example producing plant air, instrument air and high pressure nitrogen. The products can be placed on one common skid where all interconnecting piping, wiring and control systems are installed by Airpack. We take full responsibility and warranty for all items installed on the package. As a customer you only need to deal with one supplier during the entire lifetime of the package (including engineering and built up in project phase).

Specifications

The following is only short list of all available options that can be included on our screw compressors:

  • Compressor design according to API 619
  • LV, MV or HV electric motor with 50 or 60 Hz
  • Diesel engine with hydraulic, pneumatic, electric or mechanical starter (different options can be combined)
  • Generator can be included connected to diesel engine to make package self-sufficient
  • Steam turbine drive
  • Variable frequency drive
  • Air coolers designed according to API661
  • Closed cooled water system with water chiller
  • Seawater cooling
  • Complete control system with redundant and/or SIL certified PLC
  • Control panel with HMI for operation via keypad or touch screen
  • Stainless steel components such as oil system, process piping, control panels, coolers, instruments and separators
  • ATEX explosion proof equipment, suitable for operation in Zone 1 or Zone 2 environment
  • Multiple stage pulse jet inlet filters with sand trap
  • Intake filters suitable for corrosive environments
  • Winterization enclosure, for extreme low ambient temperatures (down to -56ºC)
  • Tropicalization for extreme high ambient temperatures up to 60ºC
  • Vibration monitoring system by 4-20 mA detectors or sophisticated Bently Nevada monitoring system.

Is your request not listed? Please contact us to discuss the possibilities!

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