Only when the air compressor parts are in good operation can the air compressor perform at its best performance. Kotech shows you a comprehensive guide to air compressor parts.
General air compressor parts
An air compressor system is composed of various parts, which play an important role. It is beneficial for users to basically master the performance of parts of an air compressor in daily work. Next, Kotech will tell you everything you need to know about air compressor parts.
Air filter: The air compressor air filter is a vital part of an air compressor. Its main function is to filter out impurities in the air, such as dust, stains, grease, etc.
(Air compressor air filter)
Without an air filter, the outside air inhaled by the air compressor contains a large amount of particles or impurities.
These particles will cause irreversible wear to the air end of the air compressor, affecting the compression efficiency and air tightness of the air compressor. In severe cases, it may even cause the air compressor to fail to work.
Air oil filter: The main function of the air oil filter is to separate lubricating oil and compressed gas. The air oil filter intercepts oil particles in the compressed air through porous filter materials, thereby achieving effective separation of oil and air, ensuring the purity of compressed air and the safe operation of downstream equipment.
Bearings: Bearings in air compressor reduces the friction between rotating parts, reduces the energy consumption and wear of the air compressor, transmits various loads generated during the operation of the air compressor, and ensures the smooth operation of the air compressor.
There mainly are two types of bearings for air compressor: rolling bearings and sliding bearings.
Bumper: The main function of the bumper is to protect the valve from damage, prevent gas backflow, prevent external impurities and foreign matter from entering the valve, and reduce system failures caused by valve damage.
Bushing: The main functions of bushings in air compressor include reducing vibration, preventing excessive load force from damaging the rubber main spring, and providing stable connection and limit functions. Ensure the stability and durability of the internal structure of the air compressor.
Coupling: The main function of the coupling in air compressor is to connect the motor and the air end shaft with the rotating parts to transmit motion and power.
The coupling can also be used as a safety device to prevent the connected parts from being subjected to excessive loads and play an overload protection role.
Controller: The controller inside the air compressor is the center of control of the entire equipment. Various operations can be performed through the controller, such as starting, stopping, maintenance, monitoring, etc.
Drain valve: The air oil separator is usually equipped with a drain valve to discharge the separated water and oil, thereby ensuring the quality of the compressed air.
Exhaust valve: The exhaust valve is installed at the exhaust end of the air end. Its main function is to control the flow direction and pressure of the pressurized air in the compression chamber, prevent it from backflow, and ensure the normal operation of the air compressor.
Gauges: Various gauges on the air compressor play a vital role in ensuring the normal operation and maintenance of the system.
The pressure gauges help users judge the working status of the air compressor and ensure that it operates within a safe pressure range.
The temperature gauges can help users monitor the exhaust temperature of the air compressor.
Gaskets and seals: Gaskets can be used to adjust the gap between components, reduce friction and play a supporting role, such as copper-skinned asbestos shims, paper gaskets, metal shims, and rubber gaskets.
The main function of seals is to isolate oil, prevent external contaminants from entering, and ensure the sealing and leakage prevention of equipment, such as sealing rings, O-Rings, etc.
Intake valve: The air compressor intake valve is a switch that controls the amount of air inhaled by the air compressor.
The load of the air compressor is controlled by opening and closing the intake valve. There are two common control methods: switch type and capacity control.
Minimum pressure valve: The minimum pressure valve is located at the outlet of the air oil separator.
The minimum pressure valve has the following functions: Prioritize the circulation pressure required for the lubricating oil when starting to ensure the lubrication of the machine.
Prevent the compressed air in the pipeline from flowing back when the pressure in the air oil separator drops after shutdown.
Oil filter: The oil filter is mainly used to filter impurities in the lubricating oil to prevent impurities from damaging other parts of the air system and improve the reliability and life of the system.
Rotors: The main functions of the rotors include compressing air, sealing air and conveying compressed air.
The design and working state of the rotor play a key role in the quality and efficiency of the pressurized air generated by the air compressor.
(Rotors in screw air compressor)
Springs: The springs play a key role in controlling pressure in the air compressor. For example, when the air pressure reaches the preset value, the spring in the minimum pressure valve is compressed, and the minimum pressure valve opens, then the air compressor starts to exhaust.
Safety valve: Safety valve mainly controls the pressure in the air oil separator, it is a safety protection device.
When the pressure reaches the set value, the safety valve will immediately start to release the pressure, so that the pressure value in the tank is reduced to the rated exhaust pressure.
Specific air compressor parts
Screw air compressor parts
Screw rotors: The main function of the screw rotors in the screw air compressor is to compress and discharge air.
The double-screw air compressor inhales and compresses the air through the rotation of the intermeshing male and female rotors. It is the core component of the compression component of the screw air compressor.
Star wheel: In a single-screw air compressor, the star wheel works with the screw. The motor drives the star wheel to rotate, thereby driving the screw to move to achieve the purpose of compressing the air.
The star wheel is usually made of high-strength materials. Its design and quality directly affect the efficiency and energy consumption of the air compressor.
Piston air compressor parts
Connecting rods: The main function of the connecting rod is to convert the rotation of the crankshaft into the reciprocating motion of the piston and transmit the thrust of the piston to the crankshaft.
Pistons: As the core moving parts of the piston air compressor, the main function of the piston is to compress the air to the required pressure value through the periodic volume change formed by the reciprocating motion.
The piston enables the reciprocating piston air compressor to achieve ultra-high air pressure that other air compressors cannot achieve.
Centrifugal air compressor parts
Impeller: The main function of the impeller of centrifugal compressors and axial compressors is to convert the mechanical energy of the prime mover into the kinetic energy and pressure energy of the gas.
The impeller rotates at high speed, allowing the gas to obtain kinetic energy and pressure energy under the action of centrifugal force, thereby achieving air compression.
Diffuser: The function of the diffuser is to effectively convert the kinetic energy of the gas coming out of the impeller into static pressure energy, further increasing the pressure of the compressed air.
Diffuser is an important means of supercharging for centrifugal compressors and axial compressors.
Scroll air compressor parts
Scrolls: Scrolls are the biggest difference between scroll air compressors and other compressors. The scroll assembly is composed of two Archimedean spiral scroll disks, one of which is fixed and the other is driven by a motor to make eccentric circular motion through the shaft.
(Scroll disks of scroll compressor)
A continuous and gradually shrinking compression chamber is formed between the two scroll disks, so that the air is compressed.
The unique design of scrolls makes the scroll air compressor have the working characteristics of continuous suction and quiet compression. The scroll air compressor is known as the “silent air compressor”.
Top 3 air compressor components
Air dryer
Air dryer is mainly used to remove moisture from compressed air. Compressed air coming out of air compressor tank usually still contains moisture.
Air dryer needs to be installed to remove most of the moisture in compressed air to obtain dry air with lower pressure dew point. There are two common types of air dryer: desiccant air dryer and refrigerated air dryer.
Air oil separator
Air oil separator ensures air quality by separating moisture and oil in air compressor, making compressed air purer and drier.
Air oil separator has two functions: oil-gas separation and oil storage. The compressed oil-gas mixture is discharged to air oil separator, and most of the lubricating oil can be separated through rotation and the air oil filter in the air oil separator.
Air oil separator can also temporarily store the lubricating oil just separated, avoiding the hot oil just separated from participating in the next lubrication cycle immediately, which is beneficial to reduce the exhaust temperature of air compressor.
In water-lubricated oil-free air compressor, there is also a similar accessory to air oil separator, water separator, which is used to separate compressed air and lubricating water.
Aftercooler
The air-cooled aftercooler of an air compressor is generally composed of a fan, a motor, and a radiator.
(Air compressor aftercooler)
It lowers the temperature of the entire machine by lowering the temperature of the air compressor lubricating oil or lubricating water, so that the equipment maintains a good working condition.
In addition to the air-cooled aftercooler, there is another type of aftercooler: water-cooled aftercooler.
5 Things to consider when purchasing parts of an air compressor
- Choose air compressorparts produced by the original air compressor manufacturer according to the air compressor model and brand to ensure compatibility and reliability.
- Choose air compressorparts produced by manufacturers with reliable quality and high brand awareness to improve efficiency and extend service life.
- The selection of filters and air dryers should be determined according to actual needs and the use environment.
Parameters such as the filter grade and pressure loss of the filter, the drying efficiency and pressure drop of the air dryer need to be taken into consideration.
- The selection of pressure switchesand gaugesshould be based on the pressure range of the air system and the current requirements for cutting off the power supply, and it needs to be accurate and reliable.
- The selection of oil filters should be determined according to the viscosity, impurity content and use environment of the lubricating oil, and the efficiency of oil filtration and the pressure resistance of the filter need to be guaranteed.
Purchasing suitable air compressor parts or performing maintenance on air compressor parts can effectively improve the reliability, stability and life of the air system, and also have a positive effect on the performance and economic benefits of the entire compressed air system.
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