- Question Title: rotary screw compressor and oil carry-over.
- Asked by: Guest
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- Answers: 1
In your comparison of oil-flooded rotary screw compressors you state that this type of compressor is not well suited for long stand-stills. Why is this.
I am reviewing a compressor installation (50 HP rotary screw type w/ 100 psig system pressure) where there is alot of oil carryover. Some of this carryover may occur when there is low system pressure. When there is little demand, the compressor does not cycle frequently (once or twice per hour).
Answers & Replies
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Hi,
Rotary screw compressors that run loaded only for a short time per cycle never get the chance to really warm up. Because of this, you will get water condensate and because of that you will get rust and problems with your internal (control) valves.
Monitor the temperature of the compressor for some time. If the compressor never really warms up (say, about 60 / 70 degrees Celsius), you might get these kind of problems.
My personal experience is most rust / stuck valves / control valves problems occur with machines that don't run loaded much and therefore don't heat up. This usually means the customer bought a too big air compressor (and usually this is the fault of the salesman, who wants to sell a bigger machine).
About the oil carry-over: did you check the oil separator? When was it last replaced? Did you check the scavenge line? This line sucks away the collected oil.
Good luck and if you have any more questions, just let me know.