Published: 05/04/
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Advantages and disadvantages of a rotary screw air compressor
It can be difficult to find the right air compressor for your application so understanding the advantages and disadvantages of the different types helps to find the correct air compressor.
Rotary screw air compressors, or Screw compressors, are a common type of air compressor so let&#;s have a look at the pros and cons of this type of compressor.
What is a rotary air compressor?
Rotary screw air compressors are a newer and improved type of air compressor when compared to others such as reciprocating air compressors. These compressors work using positive displacement, with rotary movements inside used to compress the air. Inside the compressor is a male and female rotor which rotate in opposite directions. As the air flows along the rotors, the air is compressed as the space between the rotors decreases. This reduction in volume provides compressed air which can then be used for the relevant application.
Advantages of rotary screw air compressors
Screw air compressors provide a number of advantages which is what makes them a popular choice across a wide range of applications and industries.
Durable and long lasting
Rotary screw air compressors have a reputation for their long lifespan which is often much longer than other air compressors. If you buy a rotary screw air compressor, you can expect a typical lifespan of around 60,000 to 80,000 hours with little to no capacity reduction.
Quiet operation
Unlike many other air compressors, screw air compressors are known for their quiet operations so this is important to consider if your application requires a quieter air compressor.
This is a huge contrast to other compressors that make a thud sound due to the action of the piston for the compression process. As screw compressors do not contain a piston operating system, this noise is completely removed.
High demand capabilities
Unlike reciprocating air compressors, rotary screw compressors can operate continuously. This means there is no need to turn the air compressor off so the pistons can rest and cool and there&#;s no need to wait for an air receiver tank to fill before you can start using the air.
Screw compressors can run all day without wearing out any critical components and they run at a lower temperature so overheating is not a problem. This is significant to consider if your application requires a steady stream of air.
It also means that a rotary screw compressor will have no problem with meeting consistently high demand.
Energy efficient
Screw air compressors are more energy efficient than other types of air compressor and they generate much less heat too.
Cleaner air
The male and female rotating screws within the compressor are effective at sealing in lubricating oil which means there is very little oil carried into the end product. This results in cleaner and drier air which makes these compressors much better for application requiring low air moisture and low oil particulate.
Range of applications
These compressors are perfect for a range of applications including:
Within these applications, production often requires the continual use of multiple tools at the same time and a screw air compressor is the best compressor to meet these needs.
Disadvantages of rotary screw air compressors
Whilst rotary screw air compressors have a range of advantages, it&#;s also important to consider the disadvantages to make sure the compressor you choose fits within your budget and your application.
High initial cost
Rotary screw air compressors often come with a high price tag which is why many people prefer to opt for a reciprocating air compressor instead. The key reason for such a big difference in price is that screw air compressors are more durable and have a much longer lifespan.
Despite being twice the cost of other compressors, they also last four times as long and produce more air. This makes them the perfect investment if you need to use compressed air over the long term for your business.
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Specialised maintenance required
Every air compressor requires servicing on a regular basis but the nature of screw compressors needs a higher level of expertise. Rotary screw compressors have a more complex system inside than other compressors so maintenance will need to be performed by an expert maintenance person or someone who is highly skilled with air compressors.
At Air Supply, we provide regular servicing and our reliable team of service technicians can help you make sure your compressor is kept in the best condition.
If you&#;d like more information on how a rotary screw air compressor could benefit your application, please contact our expert team.
You may also be interested in some of our other blogs:
The two most common mobile compressors are rotary screw air compressors and reciprocating air compressors. But what&#;s the difference between them? In this article, we&#;ll compare the performance of rotary screw vs. reciprocating air compressors and help you choose the best solution for your work vehicle.
Reciprocating air compressors, also called &#;recip&#; or &#;piston&#; air compressors, are widely used throughout various service industries due to their price and availability
Meanwhile, rotary screw air compressors provide significantly better performance and require less space, which makes them an attractive alternate option. The image below shows two gas powered air compressors, with a reciprocating air compressor on the left and a rotary screw air compressor on the right:
Comparing Rotary Screw vs. Reciprocating Air Compressors
Both rotary screw and reciprocating air compressors have advantages and disadvantages, which are as follows:
Rotary Screw Advantages
- Continuous airflow/100% duty cycle
- Long lifespan
- Better energy efficiency
- Quieter
- Lifetime warranty*
- Large quantities of air
- Higher CFM per hp
- Air receiver tank is not required
Reciprocating Advantages
- Inexpensive
- Simple maintenance
- Capable of high pressures
*VMAC&#;s rotary screw air compressors include a VMAC Limited Lifetime Warranty.
Rotary Screw Disadvantages
- More expensive upfront
- Requires skilled maintenance for some systems
Reciprocating Disadvantages
- Interrupted flow rates
- 20% to 50% duty cycle
- Low life expectancy
- Noisy
- Excessive heat
- Maintenance costs
- Requires air receiver tank
Air Compressor Comparison Highlights
Rotary screws have very distinct and important advantages over reciprocating air compressors.
Get Jobs Done Faster
Generally, rotary screw air compressors deliver more air than reciprocating compressors of the same size. Reciprocating compressors require air receiver tanks to handle higher air demands and reduce air pulses created in the compression process. Rotary screw compressors do not create the same air pulses and can deliver large amounts of air without needing a tank. You won&#;t have to wait for your compressor to keep up with your work, which means you can get jobs faster and complete more jobs in a day!
Work Without Interruption
Rotary screw air compressors operate at 100% duty cycle. The duty cycle is the time a compressor can continuously operate without stopping to prevent overheating in a given time. For example, if a compressor can run for 60 minutes in a 60-minute period without stopping, it operates at 100% duty cycle. If it can only run for 30 of the 60 minutes, it has a 50% duty cycle.
Most reciprocating compressors are only capable of 50% duty cycle, which means those compressors can only operate half the time, reducing your ability to get the job done. A rotary screw compressor runs 100% of the time, so you can do your job without interruption.
Work Worry-Free
Rotary screw air compressors last longer than reciprocating air compressors. Like an engine, reciprocating compressors have piston rings and other components that contact each other and wear over time. With that wear comes a decrease in performance, oil carryover, and more heat generation.
Oil-injected rotary screw compressors use oil to seal the internal rotors, preventing parts from wearing out. Unlike a reciprocating compressor that loses performance with age, the rotary screw compressor maintains the same performance throughout its long life.
Reduce GVW & Free Up Space
Rotary screw air compressors are lighter and provide more capacity in a smaller package than reciprocating air compressors. As a result, vehicles can haul more equipment, tools, and materials and spend less time driving between shops and job sites. Not only can you carry more, but you can also do more.
The rotary screw compressor will provide enough power to operate most hand-held pneumatic tools. From impact wrenches to deburring tools to grinders, you&#;ll have the air to power your tools whenever you need it.
Why People Prefer Rotary Screw Air Compressors
VMAC surveyed 271 industry professionals in and discovered that 75% of people prefer rotary screw air compressors over reciprocating.
When asked why they prefer rotary screw air compressors, industry professionals said it was because of performance, quality/reliability, and size/weight.
Meanwhile, the 25% who preferred reciprocating air compressors choose that option because of ease of service and repair, price, and availability.
Read the full survey results here.
Ultimately, if your primary concern is size and weight or job performance from a high-quality system that will last a vehicle&#;s lifetime, rotary screw air compressors are the way to go. By contrast, if upfront price, ease of repair, and widespread availability are your driving motivators, a reciprocating air compressor may be a better fit for your needs.
Learn More About Rotary Screw Air Compressors
Rotary screw compressors provide many advantages over their reciprocating compressor counterparts. Size, air delivery, duty cycle, and longevity are all factors that firmly favor a rotary screw compressor. Learn more in VMAC&#;s Guide to Rotary Screw Air Compressors.
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