OIL FREE AIR COMPRESSOR
An oil-free air compressor is an air compressor that doesn’t ues oil for lubrication in the pump’s compression mechanism.Instead,the mechanical components are typically coated with a permanent lubricant material.
Do Oil-Free Air Compressors Need Oil?
Some oil-free air compressors do still need oil for lubrication – the “oil-free” designation simply means that no oil is used in the compression chamber. Oil may still be used inside the gearbox or as a coolant. On some models, you may even need to replace the oil periodically.
On oil-free compressors that do employ oil for the motor or gears, the oil system is designed to be separate from the compression chamber – it is sealed off and self-contained.
Some oil-free models (usually rotary screw compressors) that employ oil in the gearbox require that the oil is changed periodically, but this is usually for larger models.
With an oil-free reciprocating piston compressor (the most common type of compressor), you likely won’t need to worry about oil, as the gearbox and motor are either made with heat-resistant and friction-reducing materials or are lubricated with oil/grease designed to last the lifetime of the compressor.
Types Of Air Compressors
Piston Compressors
In an oil-free piston compressor, the mechanical components that come in contact with one another are coated in Teflon or a similar material that reduces friction, allowing the mechanism to move freely without oil. These are typically air-cooled by an external fan on the pump housing.
Rotary Screw Compressors
In a rotary screw compressor, the compression chamber features two threaded rotors side-by-side. The threads of each rotor run in opposite directions so that they rotate in unison, much like gears. However, the rotors are precisely engineered and positioned so that they do not make contact with one another.
Rotary Scroll Compressors
Scroll compressors feature two spiral-shaped metal pieces inside the compression chamber, one inside the other. As air is drawn into the chamber, the inner spiral oscillates inside the fixed outer spiral, reducing the air’s volume and directing it toward the center of the spiral.
How Do Oil-Free Air Compressors Work?
Oil-free compressors work in the same way as their oil-lubricated counterparts – drawing in air, decreasing its volume, and forcing it into a pressurized storage tank. The difference is that no oil is used in the compression cylinder. Instead, lubrication and cooling are achieved by other means.
OIL FREE AIR COMPRESSORS:YOU NEED TO KNOW
Here are a few tips to help you make the right choice.
How Long Do Oil-Free Air Compressors Last?
Oil-free piston air compressors typically last around 10-15 years, while oil-free rotary screw compressors tend to last around 20-30 years. You can generally expect anywhere from 2,000 to 8,000 hours of service. However, the lifespan depends largely on maintenance, proper care, and usage habits.
How Much Do Oil-Free Compressors Cost Compared To Oil-Lubed Compressors?
In general, oil-free air compressors tend to cost less than oil-lubricated air compressors of comparable size and power. This is mainly due to higher manufacturing and material costs. But even if the up-front price is the same, oil air compressors also come with higher maintenance costs over time.
On an oil-lubed compressor, the oil needs to be regularly topped off and changed, and the oil filter and air/oil separator will need to be replaced periodically. While it won’t exactly be exorbitant, these costs can add up over time, so they’re worth factoring in.
What Are the Differences Between Lubricated and Oil-Free Air Compressors?
There are several differences between lubricated and oil-free air compressors, beyond the presence or absence of oil. Lubricated air compressors require more routine maintenance. Specifically, you have to change the oil every now and then. Lubricated air compressors also require more air filtration such as separators & coalescing filters to remove the oil and protect downstream equipment and processes from contamination.
However, in comparison to lubricated compressors, oil-free varieties require more major repair work and don’t tend to last as long. They can also be much louder in operation.
How to Maintain an Air Compressor?
- Always drain moisture from the tanks – The receiver tank on your air compressor will collect moisture from the air that it is compressing. If you live in a humid climate area, the collection tank will accumulate water quite quickly. You should always make sure that the tank is drained every time you finish using the compressor. Before draining the water, make sure to release the pressure from the air tank.
- Clean intake vents – Causing your area compressor to work too hard is the biggest killer of most air compressors. Over time, intake vents will become dirty and cause an air compressor to lose power. So, clean your intake vents frequently to prolong the life of your air compressor.
- Change air filters as needed – A dirty air filter on a compressor causes way too much stress on the compressor and almost always shortens its life. So, check the air filter frequently and blow it out. Also, make sure to check and change it at least every six months.
- Other types of maintenance– The below is a list of other types of maintenance you should regularly perform on your area compressor to keep it running at its best:
- Regularly tighten all fasteners
- Check hoses regularly
- Test safety shutdown system
- Clean the fuel tank
- Occasionally change compressor oil
- Occasionally change the separator element
- Clean heat exchangers
Are Oil-Free Air Compressors Better?
Oil-free air compressors aren’t ideal for continuous-use applications such as cutting, grinding, or painting large surfaces. This is mainly because they are more likely to overheat during long cycles of use, which can prematurely wear out mechanical parts or damage the pump motor.
oil-free compressors do tend to perform better in cold weather conditions, as they contain no oil (which can get thick or “sludgy” at cold temperatures). They are also easier to transport, as they’re usually made from lighter materials and can be transported in virtually any orientation without fear of oil leaking or fouling internal components.
Another major factor that makes oil-free compressors better for certain applications is that they have virtually no risk of contaminating the compressed air with oil. When oil is used in the compression chamber, a small amount will inevitably make its way into the compressed air supply in the form of vapor.
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