Industrial Air Compressors: Synthetic vs. Mineral Oil
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- Category: Blog
- Published on Monday, 24 June 2013 07:54
- Written by Super User
- Hits: 8309
When it comes to the debate regarding mineral oil versus synthetic oil, it is a fact that mineral oil invokes a higher cost and decreases the lifespan of your air compressor. While mineral oil is cheaper on the outset, synthetic oil provides many more benefits that can save you financial costs, and your air compressor, in the long run. Here are the advantages:
- Synthetic oil reduces the amount of oil the compressor uses
- Conserves energy
- Reduces the amount of maintenance required (less frequent oil changes)
- Has significant thermal and oxidative stability (which means more hours as opposed to mineral oil)
- Reduces deposit formation
- Works at lower temperatures
- Higher resistance to fire
- Better low temperature fluidity
- Extends your compressor’s lifespan
One of the initial disadvantages of synthetic oil is that if you used mineral oil prior to making the switch you will have to manually clean out the compressor to ensure the mineral oil is completely gone. Obtaining synthetic oil is also more expensive on the outset, giving a higher starting cost.
However, the advantages that synthetic oil has far outweighs the initial advantages mineral oil does. Whether being more environmentally friendly, cost efficient, or overall beneficial to your costs and compressor in the long run, synthetic oil is a wiser investment when it comes to using oil for your air compressor.
For all your installation needs Air Center, Inc. can help. Air Center stocks many air compressor parts and filters for major manufacturers, designs and installs compressed air systems, and employs technicians who are able to service any compressed air equipment.
Simple Solutions for Frequent Problems with Industrial Air Compressors
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- Category: Blog
- Published on Monday, 17 June 2013 08:11
- Written by Super User
- Hits: 4583
There are numerous businesses that deal with a substantial amount of work which requires an industrial air compressor. This compressor needs to be able to last the duration of a job and work smoothly and efficiently. A good running compressor can allow a task to be completed quickly and successfully.
If you have an air compressor that you suspect is broken or is not working as well as it should, fixing it should be a relatively easy and simple process. By addressing the problem when it first occurs, you are not only saving yourself the burden and hassle of finding another compressor immediately, but you can also save money since the problem is still small and easier to fix. Some common problems with industrial air compressors and simple solutions on how to fix them are:
| Problem |
Solution |
|
Too Much Oil In the Discharge |
Too much oil in the discharge of your air compressor is due to leaking oil lines or a blocked filter. To fix this, replace the clogged filter or tighten the bolts around the gasket to prevent oil leakage |
|
Fuse That Constantly Blows Out |
A blown out fuse can be due to an incorrectly sized fuse in the motor of the compressor. To fix this, check the fuse that is being used and if it is the wrong size, turn off the machine immediately and prevent any further usage since this may cause overloading |
|
Compressor is Overheating |
An industrial air compressor that becomes too hot too often can be due to poor ventilation. To fix this problem, check the oil levels in your compressor and blow out all filters |
By routinely inspecting your industrial air compressor, many of these problems can become preventable and your compressor will operate competently and positively. If the previously mentioned solutions do not fix your compressor immediately, it is best to do further research on the problem to prevent yourself from spending more money than necessary on its repair.
For all your installation needs Air Center, Inc. can help. Air Center stocks many air compressor parts and filters for major manufacturers, designs and installs compressed air systems, and employs technicians who are able to service any compressed air equipment.
Choosing an Installer for Your Customized Compressor System
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- Category: Blog
- Published on Tuesday, 11 June 2013 09:14
- Written by Super User
- Hits: 3666
When choosing an installer for your customized compressor system, do your research before hiring a company you are planning to do business with. This helps to not only avoid potentially unprofessional and unsound business practices, but also to help prevent complications with your new system down the road. With the many different companies to choose from, keep these factors in mind.
- Professionalism- a professional company is integral to the overall morale of business, so seek an installer that conducts their business in a professional manner. This includes trained customer service representatives that can answer any questions you may have.
- Reputation- look for a company with a solid reputation. Companies with a poor reputation will result in not only poor service, but poorly working equipment as well. You can find usually a company’s reputation through internet reviews written by previous clients they have provided services for.
- Experience- be sure the potential installer is experienced with the type of system that you have. Don’t hesitate to ask to see previous work, as this will give you an idea of the quality of work and experience they have.
- Proper Licensure- Be sure the installer has all of the necessary licenses and insurance.
- Also check to see if the labor and materials are covered under a warranty.
It is undoubtedly important to hire a company with a solid reputation. This will not only save your finances, but also can alleviate potential aggravation and prevent a bad experience. Choose a company you can trust, and your new system will run as smoothly as their service.
For all your installation needs Air Center, Inc. can help. Air Center stocks many air compressor parts and filters for major manufacturers, designs and installs compressed air systems, and employs technicians who are able to service any compressed air equipment.
The Problem of Air Compressor Moisture
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- Category: Blog
- Published on Tuesday, 04 June 2013 09:11
- Written by Super User
- Hits: 4462
Any moisture within an air compressor system requires close and immediate attention. Moisture buildup may be a common occurrence but it is not favorable for a variety of reasons. Moisture buildup can cause:
- Rust
- Poor performance
- Limited or unable to use (frozen outside lines)
- Mildew and mold (resulting in illness-caused bacteria)
Due to these possible complications, anyone who owns an air compressor needs to have a protocol or piece of equipment for dealing with water inside their compressor. There are preventive measures that can be taken in order to prevent moisture buildup.
These preventive measures include:
- Using moisture separators to protect the compressor system
- Adding an air dryer (especially for larger systems)
- Replace filters regularly
- Drain the air compressor’s receiver (or add a larger receiver)
A good way to prevent moisture damage to your compressor and your product is through taking precautionary steps to reduce moisture. This can be done through draining your air compressor’s receiver often or adding a larger receiver, which will cool air passively. In an environment in which the temperature is controlled, your air compressor system will be less susceptible to moisture accumulation. Having good preparation will help control moisture levels and can avoid problems caused by moisture.
For all your air compressor needs Air Center, Inc. can help. Air Center stocks many air compressor parts and filters for major manufacturers, designs and installs compressed air systems, and employs technicians who are able to service any compressed air equipment.
Industrial Rotary Screw and Vane Compressors
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- Category: Blog
- Published on Tuesday, 28 May 2013 09:08
- Written by Super User
- Hits: 3921
Compressors are machines that increase the pressure of a contained gas by reducing its volume. This means that they push a gas into a smaller space by compressing it and release it at different pressure levels when necessary, performing a variety of functions in the process. There are different types.
- Industrial rotary screw compressors work by using two screws that push gas into the release chamber
- Oil-filled rotary screw compressors utilize oil for a smoother run and act as a seal when pushing gas into the release chamber
- Dry screw compressors increase pressure with perfectly aligned screws that do not allow air to escape. They are effective but have lesser pressure decreases due to the lack of the oily seal found in their oil-filled counterparts.
- Rotary vane compressors work with bladed rotors. The oil-filled version produces more pressure as opposed to a dry compressor and can reach levels of 90% efficiency
- Both have similar technology, quiet and run on fuel or with electric motors.
Rotary screw and vane compressors will do the same job effectively but the screw type produces air more efficiently over the lifetime of the compressor.