As temperatures steadily rise in the Middle East, the Atlas Copco service team sees a steady increase of demand for compressor maintenance during the scorching summer months. But why does this surge occur, and how can you avoid it by implementing the right maintenance practices? Let's delve into the reasons behind the uptick in interventions and explore strategies to ensure your compressor's full availability year-round.
Understanding compressor overheating during summertime: Compressors are designed to operate within a certain temperature range, known as ∆T (delta T), which is outlined in the equipment's technical specifications. However, during summers, two heat sources—internal and external—can lead to overheating:
- Internal heat, stemming from the compressor's operation.
- External heat, driven by the rising ambient temperature in the compressor room.
Should my compressor not be prepared to work well in any season?
Yes, but only when preventive maintenance is being carried out correctly. The compressor has been designed and tested to stand up to the harshest situations. While compressors are built to withstand extreme conditions, effective preventive maintenance is essential to ensure optimal performance across all seasons. The compressor will only be able to withstand such conditions if all its replacement items are in good condition and are being replaced within the indicated period. The summer heat will cause the ambient temperature inside the compressor room to rise. However, our focus is on preventing the internal temperature of your equipment from rising.
Is it possible to control the outside temperature to prevent the compressor from overheating?
The ambient temperature is not controllable – unless you equip the compressor room with a dedicated cooling system (air-conditioning). But it is not the most economical option, since the expense of electricity will be greater than the investment in the periodic maintenance of your equipment. The best way out will always be to control the internal temperature of the compressor.
What maintenance practices on compressors prevent internal temperature from rising and to avoid any heat-related issues from occurring?
1. Make sure there are no obstructions
This action entails several checks to do. Firstly, all the necessary channels like the coolers and hoses need to be cleaned thoroughly. Blocked coolers have a major impact on internal overheating and blocked hoses will lead to leakages in the circuit. Secondly, the ventilation of your overall compressor room needs to be checked to make sure your machine can "breath more easily". Lastly, condensate formation in the drains must be verified and the spare parts replaced to ensure the drain can cope with the higher water content in the air intake.
2. Replace the air filter element within the indicated period
3. Replace the oil filters
The higher the working temperature of your equipment, the higher the oxidation level of the lubricant causing deposit formation and sludge. This dirt is mostly captured by the oil filter and, when accumulated, can restrict the path of the oil, causing the equipment to overheat due to no oil flooding to the element to support the compression process. Always replace the oil filter within the period indicated in the manual or, if possible, carry out the replacement before the onset of summer.
4. Change the lubricant before the heat arrives
The heat will cause the lubricant to age faster due to degradation and it will impact the function of some essential additives. Replacing the lubricant before the heat arrives is good, replacing it with synthetic lubricants like RS Ultra or RS Xtend Duty is even better. Synthetic lubricants can withstand the extreme conditions where mineral lubricants are not fit for these harsh conditions. Synthetic lubricants will keep their lubricating capabilities and carry out the internal cooling of your equipment.
5. Change the thermostatic valve at the indicated time
This valve controls the flow and temperature of the oil circulating in the compressor. It is a wear item whose failure cannot be predicted. Because of this, it is best to replace maintaining the valve following the recommended scheme.
6. Schedule preventive maintenance
Lastly, schedule preventive maintenance with a qualified technician. Regular inspections and servicing help identify potential issues early on and ensure optimal compressor performance throughout the summer months.
Don't miss our Beat the Heat summer offer!
How can Atlas Copco support you with all the above necessary actions? The make sure you can prepare for the summer, we have 3 special packages for you, which is valid till end of June, 2024. Pick the one which fits best to your needs and and beat the heat together with Atlas Copco!
