Rotary compressor – versatile and popular

A rotary compressor is the perfect choice for applications that require a constant air supply. Here’s how they operate and how you can put them to work for you.

10 dicembre 2020

Rotary compressor – versatile and popular

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

A rotary compressor is often the right choice for applications that require a constant supply of compressed air. They combine a range of useful features that has made them very popular and successful. Most importantly, rotary screw compressors are very energy efficient, which makes a big difference considering that the bulk of the total cost of ownership of air compressors consists of electricity costs. In addition, a rotary compressor is typically low maintenance and feature low pressure pulsations. The versatility also plays a major role in the success of this type of compressors. There is hardly an industry in which you cannot find a use for a rotary screw compressor.

An ingenious technology

Their ingenious technology is one of their outstanding features: Rotary compressors compress gas by using two meshing helical screws, which are also known as rotors. Timing gears ensure that the male and female rotors maintain a precise alignment in the case of a dry-running rotary screw compressor. In the case of an oil-lubricated rotary screw compressor, lubricating oil bridges the space between the driving and the driven rotors. This provides a hydraulic seal and also transfers mechanical energy between the two rotors. A rotary screw compressor is a great alternative to a piston compressor, and they are built specifically for long lifetimes of reliable use and for operations that require up to a 100% continuous duty cycle.

Wide range of rotary compressors offers something for everybody

They come in various sizes and versions that match your budget. Or, to put it another way, there is a rotary screw compressor out there that meets your needs. There are three different types of rotary compressors – belt-driven, gear-driven and direct drive compressors. A belt-driven rotary compressor, e.g. Atlas Copco’s G 15-22, is robust, easy to install and maintain, and has the lowest initial investment cost. Gear-driven rotary compressors, for example the GA 15-26 from Atlas Copco, are quieter and more energy efficient. Finally, there are the innovative direct drive rotary compressors, led by Atlas Copco’s ground-breaking GA 11⁺-30. They deliver unmatched efficiency and performance – as well as high quality dry air. In addition, they feature the lowest noise emissions among the three rotary screw compressor types. Optionally, you can integrate a dryer into the package, which is ideal for any application that requires clean and dry air. In addition, smaller units can be tank-mounted. This provides additional storage capacity that, coupled with the integrated dryer, allows for plug-and-play installation.

Mix and match to meet your needs

You can choose from a basic design, which is usually available in the lower kW/HP ranges, all the way to a variable speed drive (VSD) compressor, which has a higher investment cost but typically makes up for it with double digit energy savings. Because a VSD compressor adjust its speed to the compressed air flow, they don’t waste electricity. That means that VSD technology is particularly useful if your operation has a fluctuating demand for compressed air, resulting a large energy savings.

Ask an air system professional about the best Rotary Compressor option for your needs.