Screw Compressors: Application Areas

The Suitability of Screw Air Compressors

Did you read about screw air compressors and now want to know where screw compressors are applied? You came to the right place!

In the following guide, we discuss the application areas of a screw air compressor and where they are suitable. Keep reading to also find out which of the screw compressors currently dominate the industry as they are the most common amongst compressed air productions.

The screw compressor is suitable for both intermittent and continuous operation. Operating budget is optimal during continuous operation are high load levels (up to 100%). With modern technology; e.g. speed control, the screw compressor's energy consumption for low or varying air requirements can be reduced significantly compared to previous methods.

Liquid-injected (oil-injected) screw compressors in one-stage models currently dominate the industry, where operational pressures up to 1300 kPa and a capacity of up to approximately 30 m³/min are required.

We added the rotary screw technology to our line in response to the increasing use of compressed air for industrial environments. Efficient and reliable performance was needed for some of the most demanding applications like energy exploration, food and beverage processing and manufacturing. All air compressors perform the same basic function — they increase the pressure and reduce the volume of a

Here is a list that shows the wide range of uses for industrial-sized air compressors for almost any application.

1. AGRICULTURE/FARMING

For productive and profitable farming operations, compressed air provides long-lasting performance and a low cost of ownership. Compressed air is used for:

Moving feed and grain to and from silos with conveyors
Glasshouse ventilation systems
Spraying crops
Powering dairy machines
Operating pneumatic material handling equipment

2. MANUFACTURING

Whether in refineries, plastics, assembly plants or metal fabrication, an air compression system is the central power source that keeps a business in production. Powerful air compressors aid in manufacturing by:

Operating air tools on production lines
Cutting and welding equipment
Ejecting pieces from production molds
Monitoring production
Adjusting roller and feed machinery
Blowing a molded gas tank or plastic bottle
Efficiently performing basic tasks such as driving screws and turning nuts
Increasing production efficiency with air cylinders that power positioners, clamps, air chucks, and air knives
Finishing and packaging with pneumatic devices used for liquid padding, carton stapling, appliance sanding, dry powder transporting and fluidizing
Sandblasting and finishing metal
Operating automated machinery

3. DRY CLEANING

Reliable air supply and a dependable system are required for the dry cleaning industry, which demands quality cleaning of garments. Compressed air is used for:

Delivering chemical applications through cleaning guns
Operating laundry presses and steam cleaners

4. PHARMACEUTICAL

Remaining clean, dry and oil-free are top priorities for this highly regulated industry that needs precision equipment and high-performance systems. A pharmaceutical air compressor setup works by:

Moving product on conveyor systems
Spraying coatings on pharmaceuticals
Maintaining pressure in mixing and holding tanks
Bottling and packaging products

5. ENERGY EXPLORATION

The remote nature of energy exploration requires the most dependable power to minimize repair and maintenance costs. An air compressor will be:

Powering pneumatic tools and equipment in onshore and offshore operations
Compensating for motion caused by turbulent seas
Inserting and withdrawing reactor rods
Controlling valves in steam and coolant circuits remotely
Powering ventilation systems for boiler houses

6. FOOD AND BEVERAGE

All types of food and beverage manufacturing facilities use air compressor systems for various production tasks. They need contaminate-free and consistent compressed air to run their constant operations. Compressed air is used for:

Packing and palleting products
Closing and checking devices
Filling equipment for drinks
Cooling and freezing products

Having power in the form of compressed air provides end-users with much more control over usage and air quality since it is generated on-site. Around 90 percent of all manufacturing companies use compressed air in their production and plant processes in some form.

Unique Industrial Air Compressor Applications

Due to the long lists above of the many uses of an air compressor, you can already guess that this utility has a number of features that make it the ideal power source for a vast range of uses.

Here are a few features of compressed air, each combined with an example of a situation that benefits from the feature:

Pressurized air does not interfere with electrical monitoring equipment — preferred in hospital operating theaters.
Compressed air can be stored in pressurized tanks of various sizes — leading to smaller varieties that provide breathing air for scuba divers.
The equipment operated by pressurized air can be used in extreme temperatures — allowing air tools to be employed for maintaining furnaces and industrial freezers.
Compressed air can be easily stored in application-specific tanks to be used in remote areas — ideal for powering snow-making machines.

The Compressed Air Advantage: Reliable, Versatile and Safe Energy

Seen as the plant workhorse in business, the convenient helper at home and the efficient aid in, compressed air is a power source that is widely used even though many people fail to realize how common it is.

Individuals, businesses and industries benefit from the ability to produce on-site power through air compression. As we mentioned earlier, compressed air can be more expensive to produce, but since it cuts production costs in many other ways, it’s a necessary element of almost every manufacturing and industrial environment.

What are these benefits that make a seemingly “expensive” utility the top choice for many environments?

You may remember the benefits of using air tools in the section above. They are lighter and much more durable, especially when used constantly and in rough and dirty environments. Their use results in increased productivity and efficiency from quicker tool speed and user strain that is greatly decreased or eliminated altogether.

The tough applications that are typical in steel mills and foundries are not welcoming for electric-powered tools. The high temperatures and dirty surroundings are the perfect environments for frequent electrical overloading and equipment malfunctioning. Air tools require periodic maintenance, but they require much less than their electric counterparts and are nearly indestructible.

Another favorable feature of compressed air is that it can be stored to support fluctuations in use. Not having to worry about spikes in electricity consumption that can trip fuses and sabotage equipment is a top priority of any production line. An air compressor can be installed to meet the demands of any constant and fluctuating use. With the right system, you get the necessary pressure and storage tank to provide reliable and consistent energy.

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:

Increasing uptime
Reducing unexpected repairs
Reducing energy consumption
Improving the cleanliness of compressed air