09/05/2015 How Does a Rotary Screw Air Compressor Work? | Industrial Compressor Solutions

http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/how­does­a­rotary­screw­air­compressor­work/#prettyPhoto 1/40

(http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/)

(864) 399­0447(https://www.facebook.com/pages/Industrial­Compressor­Solutions/226983920686336)

 

(https://www.linkedin.com/company/industrial­compressor­solutions­inc­)

 

(http://www.ebay.com/usr/icsupstate)(https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4KaITsLTyUhzGPdfCsmdog)

Article

How Does a Rotary Screw Air Compressor Work? Oct 6, 2014 ICS (http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/author/jwamser/) Education (http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/category/education/)

09/05/2015 How Does a Rotary Screw Air Compressor Work? | Industrial Compressor Solutions

http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/how­does­a­rotary­screw­air­compressor­work/#prettyPhoto 2/40

Image: Atlas Copco

OverviewRotary screw air compressors are the most widely used air compressor models in the industrialmarketplace. Rotary screw compressors provide continuous compressed air for precision tasks andthey are extremely efficient and remarkably quiet. Screw compressors utilize some of the most

(http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/wp­content/uploads/2014/10/rotary­screw­air­compressor­2.jpg)

09/05/2015 How Does a Rotary Screw Air Compressor Work? | Industrial Compressor Solutions

http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/how­does­a­rotary­screw­air­compressor­work/#prettyPhoto 3/40

advanced technology available in the compressor industry and have a very low energy consumption.These machines are built to run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for many years!

TypesThere are many different types of rotary screw compressors. The classifications vary based onstages, cooling method, drive type, among others.

The most widely used type is the single stage, oil­injected rotary screw compressor. The maindifference is that oil­lubricated compressors inject oil into the compression chamber to serve a fewdifferent purposes.

Oil­free compressors can be used in specific applications where the tiny amounts of excess oil in theair would contaminate the product or process.

Oil­injected models are by far the most common and for the purpose of this article we will focus onthis type.

CompressionThe power (and name) behind these remarkable machines comes from two counter­rotating screwswhich are housed in a chamber, formally known as an airend. Outside air first travels through a filterto catch any harmful particles and debris that could cause damage. Once filtered, the air goesthrough an inlet valve and into the space between the interlocking screws. As the rotors turn, the airmoves along and travels to the other end of the compression chamber. The area in which the air iscontained gets increasingly smaller as the air moves along, and the smaller space increases the

09/05/2015 How Does a Rotary Screw Air Compressor Work? | Industrial Compressor Solutions

http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/how­does­a­rotary­screw­air­compressor­work/#prettyPhoto 4/40

pressure. This process is one smooth continuous motion, and therefore produces minimal pulsing orsurging which can occur with piston compressors. The result is a high­volume, steady stream ofcompressed air.

Did you know?Rotary screw technology is the same technology utilized by superchargers in high­performanceengines!

(http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/wp­content/uploads/2014/10/twin­screw­compressor.jpg)

Oil­InjectedIn an oil­injected rotary screw air compressor, the oil serves five key purposes: it cleans, cools,lubricates, seals, and protects. Therefore, what is produced by the airend is a compressed air/oilmixture. This mixture flows into a separator tank where the two are, well… separated! Primarily, amechanical separation takes place using a filter. Further, oil can be removed using centrifugal force

09/05/2015 How Does a Rotary Screw Air Compressor Work? | Industrial Compressor Solutions

http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/how­does­a­rotary­screw­air­compressor­work/#prettyPhoto 5/40

or a rapid change in direction. In the case of centrifugal force, rapid spinning allows the heavier oilparticles to drop to the bottom while the lighter air spins around on top. Simultaneously, the separatedelements leave the tank.

The air leaves the tank and travels through a minimum­pressure valve, and (in some cases) a cooler.The minimum­pressure check valve is dual­purpose and ensures there is sufficient air pressure forproper operation while also working to keep the air pressure from coming back into the system so,when necessary, the motor can start without a load.

The compressed air can still be very hot and might need to go through a cooler to bring it down to 12­20 degrees Fahrenheit above ambient temperature. This cooling process causes water vapor tocondense inside the cooler, and therefore, in most compressors there is a water separation stagebefore the air leaves the package. After these last stages, compressed air finally leaves thecompressor ready for treatment, regulation, storage, and to the customer’s processes.

Meanwhile, as the oil was collected from the tank earlier, a line transports the oil back to thecompression chamber to be used again. But first, it must be filtered and possibly cooled. Athermostatic valve determines if the oil is too hot and, if necessary, sends the oil through an oil coolerbefore being filtered. Once filtered, the oil is ready to begin the journey over again.

Check out this cool animation from Atlas Copco detailing the process in an oil­injected rotary screwcompressor:

09/05/2015 How Does a Rotary Screw Air Compressor Work? | Industrial Compressor Solutions

http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/how­does­a­rotary­screw­air­compressor­work/#prettyPhoto 6/40

(http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?

u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.industrialcompressorsolutions.com%2Fhow-

does-

a-

(http://twitter.com/home?

status=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.industrialcompressorsolutions.com%2Fhow-

does-

a-

(http://plus.google.com/share?

url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.industrialcompressorsolutions.com%2Fhow-

does-

a-

(http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?

mini=true&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.industrialcompressorsolutions.com%2Fhow-

does-

a-

(http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?

url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.industrialcompressorsolutions.com%2Fhow-

does-

a-

Share this article or leave us a comment!

Share This.

09/05/2015 How Does a Rotary Screw Air Compressor Work? | Industrial Compressor Solutions

http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/how­does­a­rotary­screw­air­compressor­work/#prettyPhoto 7/40

November 4, 2014 at 11:48 am (http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/how­does­a­rotary­screw­air­compressor­

work/#comment­480)

rotary-

screw-

air-

compressor-

work%2F)

rotary-

screw-

air-

compressor-

work%2F)

rotary-

screw-

air-

compressor-

work%2F)

rotary-

screw-

air-

compressor-

work%2F)

rotary-

screw-

air-

compressor-

work%2F&media=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.industrialcompressorsolutions.com%2Fwp-

content%2Fuploads%2F2014%2F10%2Frotary-

screw-

air-

compressor-

2.jpg)

15 RESPONSES TO How Does a Rotary Screw Air Compressor Work?

peter (http://aircompressoraz.com/) says:

The A­Team

(http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/the­

a­team/)

←

When Uptime is Critical →

09/05/2015 How Does a Rotary Screw Air Compressor Work? | Industrial Compressor Solutions

http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/how­does­a­rotary­screw­air­compressor­work/#prettyPhoto 8/40

December 22, 2014 at 2:58 pm (http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/how­does­a­rotary­screw­air­compressor­

work/#comment­1354)

In a start/stop control scheme, compressor controls actuate relays to apply and remove power to the motor according to

compressed air needs.

Reply (/how­does­a­rotary­screw­air­compressor­work/?replytocom=480#respond)

Joshua Wamser says:

09/05/2015 How Does a Rotary Screw Air Compressor Work? | Industrial Compressor Solutions

http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/how­does­a­rotary­screw­air­compressor­work/#prettyPhoto 9/40

09/05/2015 How Does a Rotary Screw Air Compressor Work? | Industrial Compressor Solutions

http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/how­does­a­rotary­screw­air­compressor­work/#prettyPhoto 10/40

09/05/2015 How Does a Rotary Screw Air Compressor Work? | Industrial Compressor Solutions

http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/how­does­a­rotary­screw­air­compressor­work/#prettyPhoto 11/40

December 21, 2014 at 5:58 am (http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/how­does­a­rotary­screw­air­compressor­

work/#comment­1337)

AirToolGuy (http://airtoolguy.com) says:

09/05/2015 How Does a Rotary Screw Air Compressor Work? | Industrial Compressor Solutions

http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/how­does­a­rotary­screw­air­compressor­work/#prettyPhoto 12/40

December 22, 2014 at 3:01 pm (http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/how­does­a­rotary­screw­air­compressor­

work/#comment­1355)

Joshua Wamser says:

09/05/2015 How Does a Rotary Screw Air Compressor Work? | Industrial Compressor Solutions

http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/how­does­a­rotary­screw­air­compressor­work/#prettyPhoto 13/40

December 29, 2014 at 4:39 am (http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/how­does­a­rotary­screw­air­

compressor­work/#comment­1408)

Sadly, there is no best brand of rotary screw air compressor. I wish it were that simple! There are many key factors to

consider. Depending on what is most important to you, as well as the requirements you have for the unit, most brands

have products that will serve your needs well. I apologize for being so vague in my answer, but if you need further

assistance, we will be glad to help narrow things down for you!

Reply (/how­does­a­rotary­screw­air­compressor­work/?replytocom=1355#respond)

AirToolGuy (http://airtoolguy.com) says:

09/05/2015 How Does a Rotary Screw Air Compressor Work? | Industrial Compressor Solutions

http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/how­does­a­rotary­screw­air­compressor­work/#prettyPhoto 14/40

aircompressormartguru.com (http://aircompressormartguru.com/) says:

09/05/2015 How Does a Rotary Screw Air Compressor Work? | Industrial Compressor Solutions

http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/how­does­a­rotary­screw­air­compressor­work/#prettyPhoto 15/40

March 19, 2015 at 9:12 pm (http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/how­does­a­rotary­screw­air­compressor­

work/#comment­2077)

April 21, 2015 at 2:32 am (http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/how­does­a­rotary­screw­air­compressor­

work/#comment­2236)

A rotary screw compressor is a type of gas compressor which uses a rotary type positive displacement mechanism. They

are commonly used to replace piston compressors where large volumes of high pressure air are needed, either for large

industrial applications or to operate high­power air tools such as jackhammers.

Reply (/how­does­a­rotary­screw­air­compressor­work/?replytocom=2077#respond)

Arnold says:

09/05/2015 How Does a Rotary Screw Air Compressor Work? | Industrial Compressor Solutions

http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/how­does­a­rotary­screw­air­compressor­work/#prettyPhoto 16/40

09/05/2015 How Does a Rotary Screw Air Compressor Work? | Industrial Compressor Solutions

http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/how­does­a­rotary­screw­air­compressor­work/#prettyPhoto 17/40

09/05/2015 How Does a Rotary Screw Air Compressor Work? | Industrial Compressor Solutions

http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/how­does­a­rotary­screw­air­compressor­work/#prettyPhoto 18/40

December 21, 2014 at 11:17 am (http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/how­does­a­rotary­screw­air­compressor­

work/#comment­1339)

Top Air Compressors (https://topaircompressorsreview.com) says:

09/05/2015 How Does a Rotary Screw Air Compressor Work? | Industrial Compressor Solutions

http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/how­does­a­rotary­screw­air­compressor­work/#prettyPhoto 19/40

December 22, 2014 at 3:04 pm (http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/how­does­a­rotary­screw­air­compressor­

work/#comment­1356)

Joshua Wamser says:

09/05/2015 How Does a Rotary Screw Air Compressor Work? | Industrial Compressor Solutions

http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/how­does­a­rotary­screw­air­compressor­work/#prettyPhoto 20/40

January 14, 2015 at 3:25 am (http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/how­does­a­rotary­screw­air­compressor­

james rupere (http://gmail) says:

09/05/2015 How Does a Rotary Screw Air Compressor Work? | Industrial Compressor Solutions

http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/how­does­a­rotary­screw­air­compressor­work/#prettyPhoto 21/40

work/#comment­1591)

January 20, 2015 at 5:32 pm (http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/how­does­a­rotary­screw­air­compressor­

ICS says:

09/05/2015 How Does a Rotary Screw Air Compressor Work? | Industrial Compressor Solutions

http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/how­does­a­rotary­screw­air­compressor­work/#prettyPhoto 22/40

work/#comment­1674)

09/05/2015 How Does a Rotary Screw Air Compressor Work? | Industrial Compressor Solutions

http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/how­does­a­rotary­screw­air­compressor­work/#prettyPhoto 23/40

March 14, 2015 at 5:58 am (http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/how­does­a­rotary­screw­air­compressor­

work/#comment­2052)

Aziz Hamid says:

09/05/2015 How Does a Rotary Screw Air Compressor Work? | Industrial Compressor Solutions

http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/how­does­a­rotary­screw­air­compressor­work/#prettyPhoto 24/40

09/05/2015 How Does a Rotary Screw Air Compressor Work? | Industrial Compressor Solutions

http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/how­does­a­rotary­screw­air­compressor­work/#prettyPhoto 25/40

09/05/2015 How Does a Rotary Screw Air Compressor Work? | Industrial Compressor Solutions

http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/how­does­a­rotary­screw­air­compressor­work/#prettyPhoto 26/40

09/05/2015 How Does a Rotary Screw Air Compressor Work? | Industrial Compressor Solutions

http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/how­does­a­rotary­screw­air­compressor­work/#prettyPhoto 27/40

March 18, 2015 at 10:58 am (http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/how­does­a­rotary­screw­air­compressor­

work/#comment­2073)

ICS says:

09/05/2015 How Does a Rotary Screw Air Compressor Work? | Industrial Compressor Solutions

http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/how­does­a­rotary­screw­air­compressor­work/#prettyPhoto 28/40

09/05/2015 How Does a Rotary Screw Air Compressor Work? | Industrial Compressor Solutions

http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/how­does­a­rotary­screw­air­compressor­work/#prettyPhoto 29/40

09/05/2015 How Does a Rotary Screw Air Compressor Work? | Industrial Compressor Solutions

http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/how­does­a­rotary­screw­air­compressor­work/#prettyPhoto 30/40

09/05/2015 How Does a Rotary Screw Air Compressor Work? | Industrial Compressor Solutions

http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/how­does­a­rotary­screw­air­compressor­work/#prettyPhoto 31/40

09/05/2015 How Does a Rotary Screw Air Compressor Work? | Industrial Compressor Solutions

http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/how­does­a­rotary­screw­air­compressor­work/#prettyPhoto 32/40

March 22, 2015 at 2:38 am (http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/how­does­a­rotary­screw­air­

compressor­work/#comment­2089)

Aziz Hamid says:

09/05/2015 How Does a Rotary Screw Air Compressor Work? | Industrial Compressor Solutions

http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/how­does­a­rotary­screw­air­compressor­work/#prettyPhoto 33/40

09/05/2015 How Does a Rotary Screw Air Compressor Work? | Industrial Compressor Solutions

http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/how­does­a­rotary­screw­air­compressor­work/#prettyPhoto 34/40

09/05/2015 How Does a Rotary Screw Air Compressor Work? | Industrial Compressor Solutions

http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/how­does­a­rotary­screw­air­compressor­work/#prettyPhoto 35/40

April 9, 2015 at 8:53 am (http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/how­does­a­rotary­screw­air­compressor­

work/#comment­2175)

ICS says:

09/05/2015 How Does a Rotary Screw Air Compressor Work? | Industrial Compressor Solutions

http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/how­does­a­rotary­screw­air­compressor­work/#prettyPhoto 36/40

Name *  Email * 

LEAVE A REPLY

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

09/05/2015 How Does a Rotary Screw Air Compressor Work? | Industrial Compressor Solutions

http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/how­does­a­rotary­screw­air­compressor­work/#prettyPhoto 37/40

Website 

Comment

Post Comment

Search...

A Look Ahead to 2015 (http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/a­look­ahead­to­2015/)

Installation – Dual 200HP Sullivan­Palatek Compressors with 4″ Piping(http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/installation­dual­200hp­sullivan­palatek­

SEARCH OUR SITE /

RECENT POSTS /

09/05/2015 How Does a Rotary Screw Air Compressor Work? | Industrial Compressor Solutions

http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/how­does­a­rotary­screw­air­compressor­work/#prettyPhoto 38/40

compressors­with­115mm­piping/)

‘Tis the Season: Winterizing Your Air Compressor(http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/tis­the­season­winterizing­your­air­compressor/)

Poor Sales Advice and How to Avoid It (http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/poor­sales­advice­and­how­to­avoid­it/)

When Uptime is Critical (http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/when­uptime­is­critical/)

January 2015 (http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/2015/01/)

December 2014 (http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/2014/12/)

November 2014 (http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/2014/11/)

October 2014 (http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/2014/10/)

September 2014 (http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/2014/09/)

August 2014 (http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/2014/08/)

July 2014 (http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/2014/07/)

ARCHIVES /

CATEGORIES /

09/05/2015 How Does a Rotary Screw Air Compressor Work? | Industrial Compressor Solutions

http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/how­does­a­rotary­screw­air­compressor­work/#prettyPhoto 39/40

Charities and Giving (http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/category/charities­and­giving/)

Education (http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/category/education/)

ICS News (http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/category/ics­news/)

Installations (http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/category/installations/)

Used Compressor Inventory (http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/used­compressor­inventory/)

Home (http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/)

Our Services (http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/our­services/)

Articles (http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/articles/)

About ICS (http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/about­ics/)

Contact US (http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/contact­us/)

NAVIGATION /

09/05/2015 How Does a Rotary Screw Air Compressor Work? | Industrial Compressor Solutions

http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/how­does­a­rotary­screw­air­compressor­work/#prettyPhoto 40/40

Industrial Compressor Solutions, Inc.3400C Rutherford RoadTaylors, SC 29687Ph: (864) 399­0447Fx: (866) 377­4489

OUR COMPANY /

A Look Ahead to 2015 (http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/a­look­ahead­to­2015/)

Installation – Dual 200HP Sullivan­Palatek Compressors with 4″ Piping(http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/installation­dual­200hp­sullivan­palatek­compressors­with­115mm­piping/)

‘Tis the Season: Winterizing Your Air Compressor(http://www.industrialcompressorsolutions.com/tis­the­season­winterizing­your­air­compressor/)

LATEST NEWS /

Jan 9, 2015

Dec 23, 2014

Nov 24, 2014

© 2014 Industrial Compressor Solutions | Site by TECHnically Everything LLC (http://technicallyeverything.com/)