How rotary screw compressors work

11 Mar.,2024

 

Thanks to their efficiency, reliability and durability, rotary Screw air compressors have become extremely popular in a wide range of industries. To understand the secret of their success, it is important to understand the rotary screw compressor working principle.

As the name indicates, their design is based on a couple of helical screws, which are also called “rotors.” Essentially, these rotors are used to take the intake air and compress it.

As the name indicates, their design is based on a couple of helical screws, which are also called “rotors.” Essentially, these rotors are used to take the intake air and compress it.

Let’s take a look at how that happens:

Let’s take a look at how that happens:

The rotary screw compressor working principle is as brilliant as it is simple. The air compressor’s interlocking helical rotors are located in a housing. Usually, there are two of them, a male rotor and a female rotor. Each features a different shape and a different number of grooves or “teeth.” In the most common arrangement, one of them has four teeth and the other six.

The rotary screw compressor working principle is as brilliant as it is simple. The air compressor’s interlocking helical rotors are located in a housing. Usually, there are two of them, a male rotor and a female rotor. Each features a different shape and a different number of grooves or “teeth.” In the most common arrangement, one of them has four teeth and the other six.

Together, this heart of the air compressor is also referred to as the air-end. Using an intake valve, this housing, i.e. the space between the rotors, is filled with air. As the screws begin to turn, the volume of the air is reduced as it is pushed down. As a result, the pressure of that air increases.

Together, this heart of the air compressor is also referred to as the air-end. Using an intake valve, this housing, i.e. the space between the rotors, is filled with air. As the screws begin to turn, the volume of the air is reduced as it is pushed down. As a result, the pressure of that air increases.

While that is the basic compression principle for any type of rotary screw air compressor, there is a difference between oil-injected and oil-free compressors.

While that is the basic compression principle for any type of rotary screw air compressor, there is a difference between oil-injected and oil-free compressors.

It is important to note that “oil-free” in this context only means that no oil is introduced in this process. The compressed air from this type of compressor may still contain traces from the oil present in the ambient air.

It is important to note that “oil-free” in this context only means that no oil is introduced in this process. The compressed air from this type of compressor may still contain traces from the oil present in the ambient air.

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