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Securing clean compressed air for your laboratory 

Discover the importance of clean, sterile air in labs. Learn about oil-free compressors, their lab applications, and benefits.

Laboratories and research facilities rely heavily on air compressors for various tasks and applications, from instrument calibration to environmental control. Our SF+ oil-free scroll is the preferred laboratory air compressor. It offers clean and sterile air with superior reliability, low-noise operation, and a compact footprint. 

Stringent requirements 

A consistent supply of high-quality air is essential for the integrity and reliability of laboratory work. Key requirements for a lab compressor include: 

  • Pure, sterile air: The air used in labs must be dry and free from oil vapors and dust particles to ensure accurate results. 

  • Reliability: Many laboratory tasks depend on a reliable supply of compressed air. Compressor breakdowns can directly impact workloads and deadlines. 

  • Compact and low-noise operation: The compressor usually operates inside the lab, necessitating minimal space usage and quiet operation to avoid disruption.  

  • Energy efficiency: Compressors consume a significant amount of energy. Choosing an energy-efficient compressor can greatly reduce operational costs and lower CO2 emissions. 

Applications 

Compressed air is vital for numerous laboratory tasks, making a compressor an indispensable piece of lab equipment. Here are some key applications: 

Laboratory and research

 

  • Instrument calibration: Compressed air serves as a calibration medium to ensure instruments like analytical balances and spectrophotometers operate accurately. Clean, dry air is crucial for precise calibration results. 

  • Sample analysis and preparation: Techniques like Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) spectroscopy require atomized liquids, which in turn require compressed air. The air jets that clean and dry samples to preserve experimental integrity also rely on compressed air. 

  • Chromatography: High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Gas Chromatography (GC) systems use compressed air to enhance precision and efficiency in chromatographic analyses. 

  • Environmental control in cleanrooms: Dry, clean compressed air helps regulate temperature, humidity, and particle levels in cleanrooms. This is critical for industries like semiconductor manufacturing and pharmaceuticals. 
  • Laboratory automation: Pneumatic actuators and control systems powered by compressed air enhance efficiency and reduce human error in repetitive tasks. 
     

  • Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS): Compressed air functions as the carrier gas in gas chromatography, ensuring accurate analyte separation and quantification. 
     

  • Gas generation: Many labs use oxygen or nitrogen generators to produce high-purity O2 or N2. A compressor feeds these generators with air, from which they separate the required O2 or N2. 

Download the scroll compressor for laboratory application leaflet

SF+: The ideal laboratory air compressor 

Contrary to traditional compressors, the SF+ fits effortlessly in your lab. Its low-noise operation, compact footprint, and integrated air treatment equipment make it an ideal laboratory air compressor. Key features include: 

  • Full-feature unit: The integrated refrigerant or desiccant air dryer ensures a compact footprint, making it perfect for laboratory settings. 

  • Air storage options: Various receiver mounting options are available to suit different lab setups.

  • Energy efficiency: Advanced features such as an IE3 motor, Elektronikon® Touch controller, and Variable Flow Technology (in multi-scroll models) minimize energy use and costs. 

  • Ultra-quiet operation: The SF+ offers super-silent operation with an acoustic enclosure, making it suitable for quiet lab environments.

  • User friendly operation  and real-time, remote SMARTLINK monitoring. 

Pioneers in oil-free air technology 

Atlas Copco has been at the forefront of oil-free air compressor innovation for decades. We were the first to achieve ISO 8573-1:2010 Class 0 certification. This means there are no detectable traces of oil in the air from our oil-free compressors – a crucial advantage for laboratory air compressors. 

Comprehensive air solutions 

Atlas Copco is more than a leader in air compressors. We offer a full range of air treatment, distribution, and storage solutions to provide a complete compressed air or gas generation system. As a result, we can ensure maximum performance and compatibility. Our expert support team is available in over 180 countries to assist with maintenance and spare parts, ensuring your lab runs smoothly. 

Contact us

Are you in search of a new air compressor for your lab? Our experts are always available to answer your questions and help you find a compressed air system tailored to your needs. Don’t hesitate to reach out! 

Explore Scroll Compressor Applications

Related Artilces

an illustration about the types of compressors for the atlas copco wiki.

A complete guide to the scroll compressor

10 July, 2023

The scroll compressor is a positive displacement compressor that works by internal compression of air or gas. This type of compressor ensures a high level of reliability and requires low maintenance. Learn more!

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Securing clean compressed air for your laboratory 

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