Rotary screw compressors are just one of a variety of air compressors. They employ a rotary type positive expulsion system, which conveys pressurized air to power drills, pumps and other types of machinery. Rotary screw compressors, also known as positive displacement compressors, deliver a determinate amount of highly pressurized air.

Rotary screw compressors contain the following components, all enclosed in a sealed case: the compressor unit, systems that maintain proper lubrication, proper temperature control, proper capacity control and the system that cleans the discharged air. Inside of the compressor unit itself there are two interlocking corkscrew-shaped augers or rotors. Each auger or screw has a wide end and a narrow end. The wide end of the screw is the inlet that allows free air to flow into the screw housing upon demand, helped along by the partial vacuum caused by the screws rotating inside the housing.

The air and oil combination flows downward from the wide ends to the narrow ends of the screw. This increases the vacuum, pulling more air into the housing. As the mixture is pulled downward through the grooves of the auger, the space where the air was narrows. At the narrow end of the screw, a valve tunnels the condensed air and oil into a separator, removing as much oil as possible from the condensed air. It is then released into the compressor receiver.

Rotary screw compressors are available in oil cooled and oil free. When comparing the oil cooled model to the oil free model, the procedure for compressing the air is basically the same, although the medium in which the procedure is carried out is different. One is performed in an oil filled chamber which provides coolant and sealant properties. The byproducts of the oil filled units are gas and oil instead of air and oil, which are the byproducts of the oil free systems. Oil free rotary screw compressors work the same except that in the absence of the oil the process does create higher temperatures and it is less energy efficient.

When choosing a rotary screw air compressor there are some important things to remember and take into consideration. What type of project are you working on? Does your compressor need to be transportable? Do you want oil cooled or oil free? Many consumers report that rotary screw compressors are easy to maintain and have a long life. They are known for their above average production abilities in a small package.

Using compressed air as an efficient kinetic energy resource requires a simple machine and holding tank. All compressors will have the same basic parts: receiving tank, pressure gauge and compression machinery. The identifying difference between two-stage and single-stage compressors is the number of compression cylinders incorporated.

Single-stage air compressors follow a few simple principles. When the compressor’s piston is actuated it literally squeezes the air contained inside its cylinder until the PSI is strong enough to release a one-way valve connection between the cylinder and the receiving tank. As the piston cycles, the receiving tank is filled with compressed air. A pressure switch is located on the receiving tank to regulate the tank's maximum PSI with a mechanical relief valve attached for safety purposes. When the set maximum air pressure is achieved in the tank, a switch connected to the pressure switch will signal the motor to turn off. The pressure inside the receiving tank is continually monitored by the pressure gauge. When the PSI in the receiving tank drops below a preset level, the pressure switch will activate the motor to add more compressed air to restore the overall pressure of the receiver.

A two-stage air compressor follows the exact same principles as the single-stage but there are two actuating pistons. The first stage will produce compressed air at a lower pressure than is ultimately desired for the end use. As the pressure in the first receiving stage builds it supplies air to the second stage's cylinder. The air is again compacted before being released into the output receiving tank. The advantage of a two-stage compressor is that it distributes the work load between two components to achieve a higher level of compressed air without having to overwork a single piston. The higher PSI offerings of two-stage compressors make them the better choice for industrial use and high torque pneumatic tools.

A single-stage compressor is a highly efficient machine. Choosing an oil-less type will ensure long use with little maintenance required. The disadvantage to a single stage compressor is that its output is limited to providing air below 125 PSI.

Two-stage compressors require slightly more maintenance because they have more parts. The advantage is that greater PSI offerings can be efficiently maintained without over-exerting the machine. Two-stage compressors also generate less heat than single-stage compressors do, which means that parts may not wear out as quickly and your compressor will likely have a longer life.

Compressed air is considered to be one of the best sources for powering up large equipment in industrial or construction-based settings. Large, industrial sized air compressor units take in large amounts of air and compress it down to a high pressure, expelling it through a pneumatic hose that goes into different tools in order to power them.

Due to the expensive nature of purchasing an industrial air compressor, it is important to do research and choose a model that works for you and your business. One of the first factors that need to be kept in mind is the amount of pressure, or PSI (pounds per square inch), that is produced by the unit. Every tool attached to the industrial air compressor requires a different PSI level, so be sure that the unit you pick out produces the necessary PSI for all your equipment.

CFM, or cubic feet per minute, is another important measurement that needs consideration. This measures the amount of air moving through the compressor unit. If you plan on having multiple tools run at the same time by the same unit, you will need a higher CFM in order to keep the PSI going to each tool at optimal level.

Aside from maintaining measurements and ensuring they are up to par, you will also need to take maintenance of the machine into account. One of the largest problems industrial air compressors face are condensates that form inside the system. In order to remove these condensates, a dryer is necessary, making the addition a key aspect to consider when purchasing a unit.

Another aspect of maintenance you should consider is the type of filter that will be used. Air filters remove airborne micro particles from the system such as water vapor, oil, dirt and other contaminants. Also, whether you prefer your unit to be run by either gas or electricity is another factor. Keep in mind gas-powered machines should only be used in well ventilated areas.

Be sure to take all of these considerations in mind when it comes to choosing the right industrial air compressor. Of course, purchase your unit from an established, credible air compressor dealer. Their expertise and knowledge can help you select the right system for your needs.

Just like with any type of specific specialization, compressed air and the tools and components surrounding the compressed air market carry a certain level of jargon that you might need to familiarize yourself with. Understanding what some of these terms means will give you a better understanding of what you are dealing with when it comes to compressed air.

One of the first things you are going to need to learn about are the different parts and components that are found in an industrial air compressor. The air regulator, for example, is used to gauge how much air is being expelled from the tank, which is the largest part of the industrial air compressor unit. The tank holds all the air until it is ready to be compressed and used by the connecting tools. On the tank, there is a pressure gauge which shows how much air is available to use inside the tank itself. There are check valves along the way to make sure that all the air is flowing in the same direction, and a line pressure gauge that measures how much air is in the pneumatic hoses that supplies all your tools with air.

Another set of terms you will need to learn is the difference between a single stage and a two-stage compressor unit. A single stage unit is a smaller machine that compresses air in one stage, hence the name. It can store a moderate amount of compressed air, but any large job is going to need a bigger unit. A two-stage compressor is a larger unit that compresses air in one stage, and then takes that compressed air and compresses it again in a second stage, leading to a much higher CFM and PSI.

After learning about some of the components of the unit itself, now you need to learn some of the measurements that are involved in reading all those gauges on your machine. One of the most important measurements is PSI, or pounds per square inch. This is the measurement of the pressure inside the tank, the hoses, and the system itself. It measures the amount of force being expelled by the machine, and many tools often have a PSI threshold in which your machine needs to produce a certain PSI in order for them to function properly.

Another measurement you need to familiarize yourself with is CFM, or cubic feet per minute. This measures the amount of air being delivered from the compressor to any of the connecting tools. A higher CFM rating means that more compressed air is getting to your tools, and if you want to run multiple tools from the same compressor machine, you are going to need one that produces a high CFM.

Whether you are looking for a small air compressor for your home use or on a much larger scale looking for industrial air compressor systems, then you will need to find out which type will best fit you. Air compressors differ in size and type and hence before you rush to buy one, you need to inquire about the model differences, advantages, and disadvantages.

You also need to know that air compressors need maintenance too. Many people view them just in terms of piping and the air compressor unit, but you have to know that it is much more than that. You should ensure that your air compressor is running smoothly and efficiently by subscribing for air audits. This service is provided by companies that are specialists in offering air compressor maintenance services.

It often helps to compare the costs of different brands before buying a particular product. One of the best and most trusted brands is Kaeser, but there are many other good names to choose from. Choosing a reputable brand will ensure that you do not incur too many extra maintenance costs due to premature product failure.

More so, you need to define what you need to use the air compressor for. If you are just looking for a residential application like filling the tires or spraying paint then you need an electric air compressor. The electric air compressor will definitely not be adequate for an industrial setting, but it has more than enough power to see you through various home jobs.

The other level of air compressors is the commercial level. They are actually not as portable as the electric counterparts, but they are definitely much more powerful than them. The commercial compressors come in wheels that makes them easy to push around, and, rather than the electric air compressors where you have to wait for air to recompress, these kind of compressors run for a longer time without needing a refill.

The industrial air compressors are quite similar to the commercial counterparts only that they tend to be much bigger in size. They are easier to maintain and they are quite inappropriate to use for simple purposes.

When looking for a good air compressor there are some factors that you need to consider such as the warranty. Good brands come with a longer warranty for the manufacturers tend to be confident of their products. You also need to do a little research on the internet and you will actually find great sites that offer great machines on a discount.