Do I need an oil free or oil lubricated compressor?
Once you have the size and type of
compressor figured out, one last question remains, should I go with an oil lubricated or oil-free air compressor. To not overcomplicate the
answer, your choice should be based on the application and process that the compressed air will be utilized in.
Do I need an oil-free compressor?
The first step in selecting any compressor is assessing your facility’s needs. There are instances where the consequences of oil
contamination are too high, therefore having an oil-free air compressor is a must. However, the majority of manufacturing, industrial and
small workshops utilize oil injected compressors, since the consequences of oil contamination are not as great as they would be in a food
production facility for example. Oil in air compressors is utilized to lubricate, seal and also cool the compressed air.
If there is no immediate need for oil-free compressed air, the more economic way is to go with an oil lubricated unit like an oil-injected
screw compressor. Oil-free compressors carry a much greater cost. Although, there are traces of oil in compressed air, those can be cleaned
up further by utilizing proper quality air products. The use of coalescing filters can clean the compressed air down to 0.01 micron, which
can further be cleaned by adding a carbon activated filter to get close to Class 1 air purity.
What are the different air purity classes?
Oil-free air compressors are used to produce a wide range of sensitive products, from semiconductors, medication and paper. Even the
smallest trace of oil in such applications could have adverse effects on products and even people. Class 0 and “technically oil-free” are
often used to imply that a compressor meets certain standards. Although, these terms are similar they have key differences that if not taken
under consideration can lead to unintended consequences.
To better understand it all, let’s take a deeper look at the meaning of 'Oil-fee'. Oil-free and oil-less are both used to describe
compressors that do not use any lubrication in the compression chamber. While the first two terms describe a type of compressor, Class 0 and
“technically oil-free” express how clean the air is after compression. There are important differences between the two, which we will
explain later on in this article.
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) sets forth worldwide standards for proprietary, industrial and commercial purposes.
Compressed air has its own set of ISO standards. Depending on the ultimate air purity (determined by number of particles per cubic meter as a
function of particle size), compressors can be ranked from ISO Class 0-5. The original version of ISO compressed air purity standards (1991)
was ‘made by and made for’ the filter manufacturers. The standard defined five classes of oil concentration, the best of which was Class 1.
ISO Class 1 - Technically Oil-Free Air
Class 1 specifies an oil concentration of 0.01 mg/m3 at 1 bar(a) 14.5psia and 20oC (68F), and conformance to these criteria is sometimes
called “a technically oil-free solution.” However, these standards were edited in 2001 and were further updated in 2010. The current
standard sets limits on total oil content (aerosol, liquid and vapor), and a specific standard was introduced on measurement of oil vapor.
ISO Class 0 - Oil-Free Air
A new class (Class 0) was added to cover more stringent quality requirements. ISO Class 0 is the cleanest choice. They can guarantee 100
percent oil-free air. There are some faulty claims going around the industry that promote oil lubricated compressors with filters and
calling them “technically oil-free” as well as stating that the air quality is often better than that from an oil-free compressor. These
claims are untrue and their use when Class 0 is needed can lead to inadvertent damage to sensitive products and or equipment.
When choosing an oil-free compressor, make sure to pick a Class 0 oil-free compressor and not a “technically oil-free” option. They
generally have a higher initial price point, but they are much safer to use in sensitive applications. With Class 0, you can be sure that
absolutely no contamination will reach your end user equipment and rest assured that your assets are protected. It is always best practice
to seek advice from a compressed air professional when picking out an oil-free or oil lubricated air compressor.
Who we are and how we can help!
Ash Air has been around in New Zealand since 1979, and we’ve grown into a nationwide company with international support and a reputation for
quality and reliability.
We look after all things compressed air for your business!
Reciprocating, Screw, air compressors
Vacuum pumps
Nitrogen
An extensive line of air treatment components
Ash Air's range of Chicago Pneumatic, Alup, Pneumatech, and Quincy compressors are used around the world in industries ranging from oil and
gas to food, automotive and farming, and we bring you these world class compressors here in the land of the long white cloud.
Our technicians are compressed air equipment experts and are dedicated to addressing customer needs. Supported by a 13 locations nationwide,
Ash Air offers one of the widest selections of compressed air equipment and parts available today in New Zealand.
Reliability and Efficiency
With Ash Air compressors, you can count on reliability and high performance for even the most demanding applications. We focus our efforts
on the following:
Increasing uptime
Reducing unexpected repairs
Reducing energy consumption
Improving the cleanliness of compressed air
Extensive Product Line
We offer a broad array of products, from world class compressor brands, including a full range of rotary and reciprocating air compressors
from ½ to 200 horsepower. We serve the compressed air needs of many industries such as the following:
Oil and gas
Light industry
Construction
Automotive
Marine
Medical
Food and beverage
Solutions
In our effort to prioritise the needs of our customers, we work hard to provide solutions. We continually introduce innovative products here
at Ash Air to our Kiwi customers, so our end users can rely on us to meet evolving compressed air needs.
Support
We offer an extensive array of air compressor parts and services through our direct locations throughout New Zealand. Continued growth means
our operations continue to operate on a national level.
In our effort to provide the best possible support, we offer the following remote monitoring, preventative
maintenance, vacuum
pump services and overhaul, compressor
and pipework installations, hire
fleet and leasing solutions, leak
detection's and energy audits,
and breakdown recovery and emergency air.
When considering new energy-efficient air compressors or an upgrade to more energy-efficient machinery, Ash Air can help you make the right
choices for your business.
Do you have an idea for our #expertcorner? Let
us know!
Who we are and how Ash Air can help your business!
Ash Air has been around in New Zealand since 1979, and we’ve grown into a nationwide company with international support and a
reputation for quality and reliability.We look after all things compressed air for your business!
Reciprocating, Screw, air compressors
Vacuum pumps
Nitrogen
An extensive line of air treatment components
Ash Air's range of Chicago Pneumatic, Alup, Pneumatech, and Quincy compressors are used extensively around the world in industries
ranging from oil and gas to food, automotive and farming, and we bring you these world class compressors here in the land of the long white
cloud.Our technicians are compressed air equipment experts and are dedicated to addressing customer needs. Supported by a 13 locations
nationwide, Ash Air offers one of the widest selections of compressed air equipment and parts available today in New Zealand.
Reliability and Efficiency
With Ash Air compressors, you can count on reliability and high performance for even the most demanding applications. We focus our
efforts on the following:
Air compressors come in many types, rotary screw, piston, scroll, reciprocating, some are oil-free and other air compressors require oil
lubrication. Like many businesses, an efficient air compressor is at the heart of their operations. So, which type of compressor should you
choose? What makes a compressor, like a rotary screw, unique? Here are some clear cut benefits of equipping your business with a rotary
screw compressor.
Read More…
In the world of compressors, there are often significant and unutilized energy-saving possibilities including energy recovery, pressure
reduction, leakage reduction and optimization of operations through correct choice of a control and regulation system as well as the choice
of compressor size.We are going to take a look at some of the opportunities for minimizing the compressor’s operating costs.
Read More…
Many installations that produce compressed air offer significant and frequently unutilized energy
saving possibilities in
the form of waste energy recovery. In large industries, energy costs can amount to 80% of the total cost of compressed
air production.
However, a lot of this energy can be recovered, which in turn will save you a lot of money.
Read More…
Liquid water in compressed-air systems can lead to rusted equipment and unresponsive controls. Anyone who uses compressed air will, at some
point, find liquid water in the air distribution system. This can be anything from a nuisance to a serious problem, depending on the
application. If water might corrode equipment or introduce bacteria, removing it is critical.
Read More…
Liquid water in compressed-air systems can lead to rusted equipment and unresponsive controls. Anyone who uses compressed air will, at some
point, find liquid water in the air distribution system. This can be anything from a nuisance to a serious problem, depending on the
application. If water might corrode equipment or introduce bacteria, removing it is critical.
Read More…
Whenever most people think about a compressor, they probably have a piston compressor in mind. You might already know there are two basic
principles of air compression. One of those is the principle of displacement compression. There are a lot of compressor types that classify
as a displacement compressor. The piston compressor is one of them, oil-lubricated or oil-free.
Read More…
Once you have the size and type of
compressor figured out, one last question remains, should I go with an oil lubricated or oil-free air compressor. To not overcomplicate the
answer, your choice should be based on the application and process that the compressed air will be utilized in.
Read More…
Like all compressor types, rotary screw models do require periodic maintenance. Thanks to the simplicity of the internal components,
maintenance is relatively easy on most rotary air compressors. As long as you stick to a rotary screw compressor maintenance schedule, you
will likely be rewarded with many, many years of optimal productivity from your machine.
Read More…
Did you know, the biggest part of the air we breathe is nitrogen? Everyone needs oxygen to survive, however air is made up of 78% nitrogen,
only 21% oxygen and tiny amounts of other gases. Although, the human body does not use this nitrogen, it is very helpful in various
industrial applications. There is an unlimited source of nitrogen readily available, allowing you to achieve needed purity at a fraction of
your current annual nitrogen cost.
Read More…
If you notice that your compressor is getting hot and bothered, there may be heating issues affecting your air compressors performance. Did
you know that an overheating compressor is top of the pops for being the most common cause of compressor failure.
Read More…
A rotary-screw compressor is an air compressor that uses a rotary-type positive-displacement mechanism, typically used replace piston
compressors where large volumes of high-pressure air are needed, either for large industrial applications or to operate high-power air
tools.
Read More…
Have a look around and what do you see? What are you thinking about? Your next holiday to Queenstown maybe? You might go snowboarding with
the kids or have some alone time at the Day Spa. Whatever holiday you choose, compressed air is involved in some way, without you even
realising it!
Read More…
There are crucial reasons why you should service and maintain your compressor regularly, with the most common issues being piston failure
caused by wear of components, increased friction, corrosion, reduced cooling, overheating bearings and components, clogging of air filters.
Read More…
Our passion for energy efficiency and cost saving derives from the concern for our children’s future. Analysing the efficiency of your
system is a brilliant way to start saving.
Read More…
Compressed air is all around us, from the air in a balloon to pumping up tires on your bicycle. In this article we will explain what
compressed air is and how it is created. Whether you know it or not, compressed air is involved in every aspect of our lives, from the
balloons at your birthday party to the air in the tires of our cars and bicycles. It was probably even used when making the phone, tablet or
computer you’re viewing this on.
Read More…
One of the biggest challenges is to correctly size your new air compressor. Similarly to everything else, new compressors available on the
market are more efficient and employ better technology, therefore you have to understand the application and usage to size the machine
correctly. Choosing the wrong air compressor for your facility can lead to problems with production and or increased costs due to wasted
energy.
Read More…
Once you have the size of the air compressor figured out, the
next thing to do is to decide on the type of compresor you will need for your application - piston, rotary screw compressor etc. Let us take
a look at two of the most popular options available. When choosing the right type of compressor, you should ask yourself the following
questions:
Read More…
Which vacuum pump do I need? - this is one of the most frequent questions we receive and this is understandable, because there are number
of technologies which can provide the same vacuum level and pumping speed. Here is quick advice on how to choose the best vacuum pump for
your needs.
Read More…
You may be asking, why does my air compressor start, then stop? Allow us to take the guessing out of it. We understand your pain. We know
that a compressor problem can quickly result in hours (if not days) of production downtime and loss of revenue. When your compressor
continuously shuts off from on, we refer that as a short cycle. There are a few reasons that a short cycle may be happening with your
compressor.
Read More…
Air compressor leaks are very common in all applications, but can be very costly and difficult to find. On average, 20-30% of the compressed
air used in a manufacturing plant is wasted as leaked air. Finding and fixing these leaks can save your business thousands of wasted dollars
a year.
Read More…
When installing a compressed air system into a business, people often look to PVC piping as an option to build a piping system because it is
cheap, versatile and easy to install. However, using PVC pipe in any compressed air application is extremely dangerous and NOT recommended
by multiple associations and manufacturers.
Read More…
Changing the oil and oil filters on your compressor is one of the most common routine maintenance tasks to perform to keep your compressor
running efficiently. After you remove your old oil and oil filter, you may find yourself wondering, “Where do I dispose of these?”, or “Can I
just throw them in the trash?”. Because oil is toxic and a pollutant, disposing of your old oil and filters is not as simple as just tossing
them in the trash.
Read More…
