Piston air compressor: The crankshaft drives the piston to reciprocate, changing the cylinder volume for compression.
Screw air compressor: The male and female rotors operate continuously, changing the cavity volume for compression.
2. Specific differences in operation:
Pistonair compressor: The operating procedures are complicated and multiple data need to be recorded manually. Such as running time, refueling time, oil filter, air intake filtration, oil and gas separator time, require specialized personnel to operate.
Screwair compressor: Due to the complete computer control, it can automatically start and stop, load and unload on time after the next setting. Automatically record various parameters, automatically record the usage time of consumables and prompt for replacement, and also manage the inspection of air compressor station personnel.
3 Frequently Asked Questions about Damage and Repair:
Piston air compressor: Due to uneven reciprocating motion, it wears out quickly and needs to be replaced frequently. The cylinder needs to be dismantled and repaired every few months, and many sealing rings need to be replaced. Dozens of cylinder liner springs, etc. need to be replaced. Each part has multiple pistons, piston rings, valve parts, crankshaft bearings, etc. that run continuously. Due to the large number of parts, especially wearing parts, the failure rate is very high, and several maintenance personnel are usually required. The replacement of consumables requires multiple people to complete, and theair compressor room needs to be equipped with lifting equipment, making it impossible to keep theair compressor room clean and free of oil leakage.
Screw air compressor: Only a pair of ordinary bearings need to be replaced. Their lifespan is 20,000 hours. When running 24 hours a day, they need to be replaced about once every three years. Only two sealing rings are replaced at the same time. With only one pair of rotors running continuously, the failure rate is very low and no standing maintenance personnel are required.
4 system configuration:
Piston air compressor: compressor + aftercooler + high-temperature cold dryer + three-stage oil filter + gas storage tank + cooling tower + water pump + waterway valve
Screw air compressor: compressor + gas tank + primary oil filter + cold dryer + secondary oil filter
5 performance aspects:
Piston air compressor: Exhaust temperature: above 120 degrees, the water content is very high, it needs to be equipped with an additional after-cooler, which can be cooled to about 80 degrees (moisture content 290 grams/cubic meter), and a large high-temperature cooling system is required. Dryair compressor. Oil content: An oil-free engine has no oil lubrication in the cylinder, but the reciprocating motion will bring the lubricating oil in the crankcase into the cylinder. Generally, the exhaust oil content is above 25ppm. Oil-free piston engine manufacturers will recommend the installation of additional oil filters based on this point.
Screw air compressor: exhaust temperature: lower than 40 degrees, water content 51 grams/cubic meter, 5 times lower than piston compressor, general cold dryer can be used. Oil content: less than 3ppm, the low oil content makes the additional oil filter have a long life.
6Installation:
Piston air compressor: The reciprocating impact and vibration of the piston is large, it must have a cement foundation, there are many system equipments, and the installation workload is heavy. The vibration is large and the noise reaches more than 90 decibels, which generally requires additional noise reduction equipment and materials.
Screw air compressor: The air cooler only needs to be placed on the ground to work. The noise is 74 decibels, no noise reduction is required. It is very convenient to install and move.
7 Consumable lifespan:
Piston air compressor: Lubricating oil: 2000 hours; Air intake filter: 2000 hours
Screw air compressor: Lubricating oil: 4000 hours; Air inlet filter: 4000 hours
8 cooling methods:
Piston air compressor: generally uses cold water and requires additional cooling systems, such as cooling towers, water pumps, and valves, which increases the complexity of the system and may lead to water leakage. It is very inconvenient to clean the water-cooled heat exchanger.
Screw air compressor: There are air-cooling and water-cooling. Air-cooling is recommended. There is no additional investment. The heat exchanger cleaning only requires compressed gas blowing.
After conducting such an analysis, everyone should have some understanding of these two air compressors. There are essential differences between piston compressors and screw compressors.
Post time: Sep-26-2023
