Glossary Compressors

Air compressors are machines that are used to compress air. This means that even conventional bellows can be described as a mechanical compressor or air compressor. Compressors reduce the volume of the air and thus ensure the required compression of the compressed air system using various adjustable airends. Air compressors are available in various models.

Compressors reduce the volume of the air and use airends that can be regulated in different ways to produce the level of compression which the compressed air system requires. Compressors are available in a range of types and models.

The principle of compression used by  piston compressors guarantees a totally dependable compressed air supply for applications requiring higher pressures. The push rod principle enables the piston compressor to achieve completely oil-free airends.

BOGE S series screw compressors draw in atmospheric air through a compressor cabinet pre-filter mat, into an intake filter with a microfilter paper insert. The cleaned air then passes through the dynamic multifunction intake regulator before entering the airend. The airend is driven by an electric motor.

Continuously cooled oil is injected into the compression chamber in accurately metered quantities. The compressed air/oil mixture leaves the airend and enters the air/oil separation vessel. In the downstream oil cooler, the oil is cooled to the ideal temperature for re-injecting it into the airend. The microfilter cleans the oil so that it can be re-circulated. A thermostatic oil valve ensures that all BOGE screw compressors work at an optimum oil temperature in all operating phases.

Compressors are machines for compressing air. Strictly speaking, even conventional bellows can be classed as mechanical compressors. Compressors reduce the volume of the airend use airends that can be regulated in different ways to produce the level of compression which the compressed air system requires. Compressors are available in a range of types and models.

The compressor builds up a store of compressed air in the receiver. This allows the demand for compressed air to be satisfied intermittently from the store of compressed air in the receiver. The compressor does not supply any compressed air during these times. It remains in standby and does not use any electricity. In addition, fluctuations in the demand for compressed air in the air network are balanced out and peak demand can be satisfied, while the motor starts up less often and motor wear is reduced as a result.

Oil-free compressors, designed for special uses, are indispensable, for example, for the food and health industry. Absolutely oil-free compressed air is made possible by dispensing with oil lubricated drives. Oil-free compressors are flexible due to their modular structure and can be geared to specific operating conditions - from variable pressures and free air deliveries to optional components such as twin receivers or integrated membrane dryers.

The principle decision when installing and dimensioning a compressor station is selecting the type of compressor to suit the application and demand. Screw compressors or piston compressors are the right choice for almost every type of use.

Screw compressors are particularly suitable in situations where consumption of compressed air is continuous and without large peak loads, with a duty cycle of 100%. They are excellent as base load machines in composite compressor systems.

• The screw compressor is the most economical type where high free air delivery is needed.
• Pulse-free volume flow: Through its uniform compression, the screw compressor can also be used for very sensitive consumer devices.
• Screw compressors operate economically with final compression pressures of between 5 and 14 bar. The normal pmax maximum pressure categories for screw compressors are 8 bar, 10 bar and 13 bar.

Piston compressors also have their special areas of use which ideally complement those of screw compressors.

• Intermittent requirement: Piston compressors are suitable for fluctuating consumption of compressed air with load peaks. Piston compressors are the best choice for frequently changing loads.
• Piston compressors can compress to high final pressures. The normal pmax maximum pressure categories for piston compressors are 8 bar, 10 bar, 15 bar, 30 bar, 35 bar and 40 bar.

Industrial compressors are used for a wide range of uses. They are used for cleaning, cooling and pneumatic actuation. In the food industry, in the pharmaceutical and plastics industry, as well as the chemical and paper processing industry - to mention just a few examples -  compressors are standard equipment. Industrial compressors are used to drive cylinders and turbines, as well as pneumatic post systems and other equipment.

Piston compressors have special areas of application - wherever the compressed air supply does not have to be tailored to meet continuous peak load operation.

• Intermittent requirement: Piston compressors are suitable for fluctuating consumption of compressed air with load peaks. They can be used as peak-load machines in a composite compressor system. Piston compressors are the best choice for frequently changing loads.
• Piston compressors can compress to high final pressures. The normal pmax maximum pressure categories for piston compressors are 8 bar, 10 bar, 15 bar, 30 bar, 35 bar and 40 bar.

In the push rod principle of compression, the drive system works with a high-strength aluminium-silicon alloy cylinder lining and a piston skirt with a special compound coating. The reciprocating duct working on the push rod principle dispenses with the need for a  complex crosshead drive. Using the push rod principle of compression, piston compressors are able to achieve completely oil-free airends.

Screw compressors are particularly suitable for certain applications.

• Screw compressors are particularly suitable in situations where consumption of compressed air is continuous and without large peak loads, with a duty cycle of 100%. They are excellent as base load machines in composite compressor systems.
• The screw compressor is the most economical type where high free air delivery is needed.
• Pulse-free volume flow: Through its uniform compression, the screw compressor can also be used for very sensitive consumer devices.
• Screw compressors operate economically with final compression pressures of between 5 and 14 bar. The normal pmax maximum pressure categories for screw compressors are 8 bar, 10 bar and 13 bar.

SScroll compressors are compressors which compress without oil. This means that there is no oil in the compression chamber. The compressor comprises two contactlessly interlocking scrolls, one of which is stationary and the other moves eccentrically on a circular track. As a result of each rotation, which draws in the air, two shrinking chambers develop in which the air is compressed and then emitted in the centre of the spiral. Because there is no oil in the air, these compressors are used, for example, in medical technology, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, laboratories and dental surgeries. The maximum pressure is usually 8 to 10 bar.