How does a rotary screw compressor work?

A rotary screw compressor is typically housing containing two interlocking helical rotors. Some rotary screw compressors contain only one rotor however these are only ideal for small scale use such as refrigeration. Air is filtered through a valve and into the compressor’s housing. While this is happening the two screws rotate and begin to reduce the volume of the air. During this compression, the pressure of the air is increased and ejected.

Rotary screw compressors are the most popular within big buildings such as large manufacturing plants. This is because a rotary screw compressor releases a constant amount of compressed air with the same amount of pressure. Industrial rotary screw compressors have a 100% duty cycle meaning that they can run 24/7 unhindered.

Rotary screw compressors can be oil run or non-oil run compressors. In an oil compressor, the rotors are driven by a motor and the oil creates a film between the two rotors. This film works like a sealing and cooling agent for the compression chamber. In a non-oil compressor, the rotors are driven by gears. Without the oil, the chamber lacks a sealant which means that the compressor isn’t capable of reaching high levels of pressure. This also means that without the cooling agent, the oil, the rotary screw compressor runs the risk of overheating.

There are different types of rotary screw compressors but all work similar to one another. These compressors have the potential to last you a lifetime without breaking down if used correctly.