If you’re planning to buy a new air compressor, you must wonder which one suits your requirements better. Air compressors are after all a hefty investment in your operations and the decision must be made after careful planning. While both screw and reciprocating air compressors find utility across industries, the former has some well-established benefits over the latter. VEMC is the leading ELGi Screw Compressor dealer based in Mumbai, and in this blog, we take you through 5 key benefits of installing a screw air compressor over a reciprocating air compressor.
Working principle of screw air compressor vs reciprocating air compressor
First, let us look at how a screw compressor is different from a reciprocating air compressor.
Rotary screw compressors simply work by compressing air using helical screws known as rotors. This forces the air through the chambers and compresses it into a smaller space. With this mechanism, as the rotors turn, the air gets continuously compressed. Reciprocating compressors on the other hand work by using pistons which move back and forth. This reduces the air mechanically, leading to an increase in pressure.
Benefits of screw air compressors over reciprocating air compressors
- Consistent output and high volume: Screw compressors operate continuously unlike reciprocating compressors. This gives a smooth output that can be crucial in tasks that need consistent air pressure. For tasks which require higher volumes of compressed air, screw air compressors are better suited than reciprocating air compressors.
- Efficient, compact and silent: When it comes to energy consumption, screw compressors are more efficient than reciprocating air compressors. This helps reduce operation costs over time. Screw compressors are also more compact which makes them adaptable to various environments. They’re usually noiseless and are thus better suited for residential areas and other noise-sensitive settings.
- Lower maintenance needs and longer lifespan: Screw air compressors do not have pistons, valves or any other moving parts. This reduces the levels of friction, wear and tear, maintenance needs, and downtime. Due to this, screw air compressors tend to have a longer working life than reciprocating air compressors. Their downtime is also lesser and lifespan costs are under control.
- Higher quality of air: Since screw air compressors operate with sealed chambers and have better filtration systems, they tend to offer a higher quality of air as compared to reciprocating compressors.
- Adaptable: Using Variable Speed Drives (VSDs), screw air compressors can easily adapt the supply of compressed air to the fluctuating demand. This saves energy and ensures efficient operations.
Due to the above-mentioned benefits, screw air compressors are used in a diverse range of industries and applications. These are usually preferred in industries like manufacturing, construction, oil and gas, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, power generation, mining, chemicals and petrochemicals. For more on screw air compressors, feel free to call us on 02243436655 or email us at marketing@vemc.co.in. We at VEMC are the leading ELGi Screw Compressor dealer based in Mumbai.