When an industrial application calls for a steady supply of quality air, more and more users are turning to rotary screw compressors. Their
efficiency, reliability and versatility make them a great choice in these cases. But there are countless applications and many different
types of rotary screw air compressors. So which one is the right one for you?
First, let’s look at their benefits: In addition to the efficiency, reliability and versatility, rotary screw air compressors have many
other advantages.
Their noise output is low and their physical footprint small. That means you can install them in more places.
Unlike piston compressors, they don’t need cool-down periods. This allows them to operate continuously around the clock - and they do not
require a lot of maintenance.
In addition, oil-lubricated rotary screw compressors feature a low oil carry-over of as little as 3 ppm.
Finally, over their expected service life of 10 years or more, you don’t have to worry about a loss of capacity.
Fixed-speed and variable speed rotary screw compressors
The
first major distinction is the one between fixed-speed and variable speed rotary screw air compressors. As the name indicates, the former
run at a single speed. That makes them a great choice for applications with a steady air demand (and the more steady that demand, the more
efficient they are).
Variable speed drive (VSD) compressors, on the other hand, adjust their motor speed to the amount of air that is
needed. As a result, they can take their efficiency to another level if the compressed air demand fluctuates.
If that applies to you, you can learn more here about our VSD series.
This article primarily deals with the different types of fixed-speed rotary screw compressors. That means if your air demand is constant,
you should read on for important information.
Oil-free and oil-injected rotary screw compressors
Having narrowed your selection to fixed-speed compressors, the next step is to choose between oil-free or oil-injected models.
The difference is that the latter introduces a new contaminant into the compression process. Therefore, you would pick an oil-free
compressor if
the presence of oil vapors matters – for example if your industry is subject to air purity standards. This includes the pharmaceutical
industry, the food and beverage sector and semiconductor manufacturing.
Here, oil-free technology is a better alternative than using an oil-injected model and then filtering out the contaminant.
If air quality is less important, for example if you need the compressor to power pneumatic tools, then an oil-injected
model will
generally suffice.
Two drive types, lots of benefits
Atlas Copco offers its fixed-speed rotary screw compressors with two types of drives. Depending on your application, each of them has
different advantages.
-Belt drive: Fixed-speed rotary screw compressors with belt drives are very robust. They are the least expensive and are
easy to install, operate and maintain. For all of these reasons, they are a popular choice for smaller operations.
-Gear drive: A gear drive makes a compressor quieter. That means you can install it in more places without violating noise
standards. Their initial investment cost is a little higher. However, because they are more efficient and maintenance free, rotary screw
compressors with gears are less expensive to operate. This will allow you to quickly recoup that higher cost.
No matter which type of compressor you choose, it is very important that you get its size right. If the unit is too small, it may not get
the job done. If it is too large, you will waste a lot of valuable energy.
However, rotary screw compressors are a good deal with lots of benefits at any size. Compared to piston air compressors, which are
traditionally used by operations with a limited compressed air demand, they offer many advantages. First and foremost, they are more
efficient, which reduces your costs and environmental footprint.
Because they can run around the clock, they can handle an increased demand better. Finally, fixed-speed rotary screw compressor lower the
oil content in your compressed air system.
And the larger your compressor gets, the more you can save down the road.
A complete offer
Ash Air offers a complete range of oil-injected fixed-speed compressors for different types of users with different priorities:
Chicago Pneumatic rotary screw air compressors are built on the very robust platform and feature state of the art controller and high-efficiency screw element.
The Ash Air range of oil lubricated screw air compressors are excellent all-in-one solutions for small and medium workshops, with energy cost savings of 30% - 35%. The most popular air compressors 10HP, 15HP, and 20HP are available as a full feature with integrated air dryer and receiver. More than 100 rotary air compressors available for sale from stock in Auckland and Christchurch.
Direct driven air compressors with variable speed drives offer high energy efficiency, a smooth start and prolonged life of the component parts, reduced system pressure and energy consumption.
For power above 45 kW we offer ALUP air compressors, designed and manufactured in Europe. We installed Alup rotary screw air compressors at dozens of sites in New Zealand for food processing, at timber plants and other industrial sites.
These high-efficiency rotary screw air compressors feature variable speed drives, remote monitoring and heat recovery options. ALUP air compressor is covered by an optional 5 years warranty.
The three most popular air compressors 45 kW, 55kW and 75 kW are available for sale from stock in Auckland. Chat to our experts, we will help you to answer questions about what can you use the compressor for, what compressor is the best and learn all about air compressor efficiency.
The team at AshAir specialises in oil-free or oil-less scroll compressors with zero risk of oil contamination, and are ideal for critical applications including medical, pharmaceutical, dental, R&D, food & beverage, wine and brewery. Our 100% oil-less scroll compressors are designed with fewer moving parts, which means less wear and tear, less noise, higher efficiency and reliability, and a longer machine life .
These scroll compressors use cutting-edge scroll technology where the spirals never contact each other, and no lubrication is needed, making them completely oil-free. Our SPR 20 Multi oil-less scroll compressor operates with variable air delivery, controlled by an intelligent controller for air delivery supplied according to the fluctuation of air demand. This means a higher energy efficiency and more stable system pressure.
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!
Rotary Screw and Piston Air Compressors
Vacuum Pumps and Blowers
Nitrogen Generation
An extensive line of Air Treatment components
AIRnet Piping System and Filtration
Mobile Compressors, Generators, and Light Towers
Ash Air's range of Chicago Pneumatic, ALUP, Pneumatech, and Atlas Copco products 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 with
nationwide coverage, Ash Air offers one of the widest selections of compressed air, vacuum pump, and industrial gas equipment and parts
available today in New Zealand.
Reliability and Efficiency
With Ash Air, 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 and meeting our sustainability goals
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. Â
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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.Â
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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.Â
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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.Â
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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.Â
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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.Â
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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.
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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.Â
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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.Â
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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.Â
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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.Â
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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! Â
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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.Â
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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.
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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.Â
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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.Â
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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:
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​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.Â
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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.Â
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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
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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.Â
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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.Â
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The
first major distinction is the one between fixed-speed and variable speed rotary screw air compressors. As the name indicates, the former
run at a single speed. That makes them a great choice for applications with a steady air demand (and the more steady that demand, the more
efficient they are).
