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Oil Free Compressors

Oil free air compressors are designed to produce pure, uncontaminated air. There are many industry sectors that are reliant on the production of compressed air that is 100% pure, otherwise they risk spoiling entire batches when it comes into contact with the products. This helps increase efficiency, eliminate waste, and guarantee the quality of the end product.

Oil free compressors are used in many stages of the process including the handling, cutting and preparation of food, vacuum packing products, transportation, etc without the risk of contamination. 

Compressed air is used in the production of medicinal products, such as the fermentation process, aeration, the producing and packaging of tablets and medications. 

As the chemical industry deals with toxic chemicals and unstable gases, the air quality must be pristine to help manage the potential risks of explosions as well as maintain the purity of the products.

The textile industry uses air compressors for tasks such as air-jet weaving, spinning, and texturizing. If the air from compressors isn’t pure and oil free, fabric could be ruined.

Hazardous chemicals are frequently used in the oil and gas industry, necessitating the purity of compressed air. 

Impurities in compressed air can damage elements of the vehicle, such as spray painting, cleaning, and even tyre inflation. 

Ultra clean conditions are necessary, especially when it comes to the production of electronics, cleaning PCB boards, and the movement and placement of components.

How Do Oil Free Air Compressors Work?

Oil free air compressors operate in a similar way to oil lubricated ones. Air is drawn into the compression chamber where its volume is decreased in order to pressurise the air which is then forced into the storage tank where it’s ready to use. The way this happens in oil free compressors is slightly different than in oil lubricated ones because there is no oil in the compression chamber that might result in contaminated air.

In oil free rotary screw compressors, external gears are used to synchronize the rotating screw elements to prevent the need to use lubrication on the screws themselves. The gears are in a sealed container to enable them to be lubricated, but prevent oil getting into the compression chamber. In oil free piston compressors, all the mechanical components are coated in a non-stick coating to allow the piston to move freely without the need for lubrication.

Air Compressors - CompAir

Is an Oil Free Air Compressor Better Than an Oil Lubricated Compressor?

Whether an oil free air compressor is better depends on your specific needs.

The clear advantage of oil free compressors is the purity of the air produced which is essential in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, food and drink, and electronics. When the task requires ultra clean air with zero possibility of contamination, the oil free compressor is the only choice.

Other advantages of the oil free compressor are that, because it doesn’t use oil, it is low maintenance, with the knock-on effect of needing less operational downtime. And because there is no oil that will need changing on a regular basis, the environmental impact is lessened, nor is there a need for related parts such as oil separators and filters.

Importantly, an oil free compressor will use less energy to run because there is no need to force oil circulation and filtration.

The main disadvantage of oil free compressors is their cost – they can be more expensive than oil lubricated ones to buy and may have a shorter lifespan than lubricated ones. However, the lifetime cost can be offset against the lower running costs, maintenance and downtime costs, as well as the significantly reduced possibility of losing production batches in the event of contamination.

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Fixed and Regulated Speed

Fixed speed compressors – Fixed Speed oil free Compressors are designed for industries where continuous operation is critical. The compressors run at a constant speed to provide a steady and reliable continual flow of high quality, oil free air day in and day out. Click here to find out more about the CompAir Fixed Speed Compressor range. 

Regulated speed compressors – Also known as variable speed compressors. With variable speed control, regulated speed compressors are ideal for applications where there is fluctuation in the demand for compressed air. By matching output to demand, regulated compressors use less energy, with subsequent savings in energy costs. Click here to find out more about our range of CompAir Regulated Speed Compressors.

Air Compressors - Hydrovane

Don’t just take our word for it

Hydrovane compressor and Walker Filtration supply and install for a laboratory

1st Class service and technical support every time.

Cosmetics, Compair compressor and Walker Filtration filters supply and install

Very happy with the response and service from the guys at Air Energy.

Why Choose Air Energy’s Oil Free Air Compressors?

We are an award-winning, global distributor of oil free air compressors. Partnering with the world’s best manufacturers, we have gained an unsurpassed reputation for the high quality and range of compressors we sell, along with our customer service excellence and industry expertise. 

At Air Energy, we are committed to providing the best, high performance oil free air compressors that are reliable, durable and will give you an excellent return on your investment.  

We specialize in CompAir oil free air compressors and Boge oil free air compressors, which means we will always find the best compressor for your business’s needs. 

Call us on 01992 940532 to talk to us about all your industrial and commercial air compressor needs. 

why-choose-air-energy

Air is drawn into the compression chamber where the volume is decreased thanks to the use of pistons, rotary screws or sliding vanes. The pressurized air is forced into a storage tank until it’s needed, with new air being created ready for the next time.

In an oil free air compressor, the pistons, rotary screws or sliding vanes are lubricated through non-stick Teflon coatings and, in some cases, water, which enables the compression chamber to remain oil free. In this way, they can deliver 100% clean air which is essential for industries that rely on the purity of the compressed air they use.

There are pros and cons to both oil free and oil lubricated air compressors, so one is only better than the other depending on your needs and budget. For example, if you are in the food and beverage, pharmaceutical and electronic sectors, the purity of the compressed air you need is crucial, and this means an oil free compressor is much better than an oil lubricated one. But this isn’t the case across the board. If you are unsure of what would work best for you, contact our specialists who will be happy to discuss your options.

Advantages include: the purity of the compressed air which can be relied up to be 100% free of contaminants; they are low maintenance, needing less upkeep than oil lubricated compressors which also means less downtime; they use less energy to run.

Disadvantages include: the cost of oil free compressors is greater than oil lubricated compressors; they have a shorter lifespan than oil lubricated compressors.

 

Any industry that relies on the purity of its compressed air will benefit from an oil free air compressor. In circumstances where even the slightest contamination would ruin a batch of products, the purity of air from an oil free compressor will save time and money in the long run. The main industries that are reliant on ultra-pure compressed air are electronics, food & beverage, and pharmaceuticals.

As with any piece of equipment, if it is maintained properly, it will last longer. The air filter will need to be changed on a regular basis and other components checked, e.g. drive belt, valves, and of course, the gearbox. In addition, it is important to keep the exterior clear of dust and dirt as this will help to prevent excessive temperatures.

Oil free air compressors are more energy efficient than oil lubricated ones but it depends on the model. The CompAir Ultima range, for example, uses up to 13% less power than other oil free models.

We only stock high quality and reliable oil free air compressors from the most respected brands in the world: CompAir and Boge. You will always have the peace of mind that air compressors bought through us are reliable and fully supported.

The actual lifespan of an oil free air compressor is, of course, dependent on many factors, including how much or how little it’s used, as well as how well it’s treated and maintained. As a rule of thumb, a well maintained oil free compressor could last for around 70,000 hours – between 10 and 15 years.

The majority of oil free air compressors aren’t well suited for heavy duty applications, or for continuous use. If you get a compressor that is not suitable for heavy use, you will shorten its lifespan and spend more downtime for breakdowns and repairs. If you’re not sure which compressor is the best for your needs, contact us.

Contact our friendly specialists who will discuss your requirements and make sure you have the correct air compressor for your needs. Call us on 01992 351759 or complete our online contact form and someone will get back to you.

Depending on the model, oil free air compressors are louder than oil lubricated ones. However, recent models have been improved and run at 10-15 dBA quieter than the older models. Other models have been adapted with sound proofing measures, and some are now even quieter than oil lubricated compressors.

The upfront cost of an oil lubricated compressor is less than an oil free one, but the cost difference isn’t as simple as that. When investing in a high quality air compressor, you need to take the lifetime costs into consideration, which includes the running costs, as well as maintenance and servicing and the downtime needed to complete these tasks. We can help you calculate the overall cost difference between oil free and oil lubricated compressors so you can decide the best one for you.

As with any air compressor, there are a number of safety measures you need to take. Make sure the compressor is in a location that allows it to get clean, dry air – damp air could result in damage. Before you use the compressor, do a routine check to check the power supply, check the hoses are fitting properly. Always wear eye and ear protection when operating an air compressor. And, of course, never apply compressed air to eyes or skin.

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