What are the Benefits of an Oil-Free Air Compressor?
Many industries are searching for ways to lower their operating costs and environmental footprint while still offering a high-quality product to their users. Some have turned to using an ISO 8573-1 compliant air compressor to help with that effort.
This is where oilless scroll air compressors, sometimes called oil-free compressors, are becoming especially popular. Their design does not use metal-to-metal contact when generating power, eliminating the need for frequent oil lubrication (maintenance) of the tool and subsequent oil-contaminated byproducts that can be toxic and require especially complicated disposal techniques.
Let's take a closer look at how oil-free compressors work and why they might be right for you:
Let's take a closer look at how oil-free compressors work and why they might be right for you:
Which industries use oilless scroll air compressors?
- Laboratory
- Railroad (air brakes)
- Medical and pharmaceutical
- Manufacturing
- Farming
- Brewing/beverage
- Textiles
Why use an oilless scroll compressor?
The most popular reasoning is obvious for most industries — these tools can help eliminate downtime, costly maintenance, and replacement parts that might be present with other models. In addition, they can deliver peace of mind by ensuring oil contamination is never a possibility and your tools are always in compliance with state or federally-mandated environmental regulations.
To expand on the latter point, a typical oil-flooded compressor could require roughly 55 gallons of oil between every 6 months and a year. The used oil, and all accumulated condensate, must be safely obtained from the site and disposed of following your local governing guidelines. Wouldn't it be easier to avoid that process, and the risk for contamination between maintenance, entirely?
What to consider when installing an oilless scroll compressor
There are a number of variables that should be considered when picking the correct air compressor for your business. Here are some of our recommendations:
- Ventilation and room temperature: Oil-free pumps do not perform well in high temperatures, which could cause premature failure
- Voltage: Ordering a compressor of the wrong voltage can serve as a massive problem
- Space: You should have ample room, ideally between 24 and 36 inches, around all sides of the compressor for servicing
If you have any lingering questions about oilless scroll air compressors, or any others, please contact one of our compressor experts by calling 866-778-6572 or sending an email to info@compressorworld.com
