Air purity is critical for many applications where even the tiniest drop of oil can cause product spoilage or damage production equipment. We offer a wide range of oil-free compressor technologies, each one built to give you the peace of mind that comes with high-quality air supply.
When it comes to choosing the right compressor for your sites requirements, one of the crucial decisions you’ll face is whether to opt for an oil-free compressor or a traditional oil-lubricated model. To determine if an oil-free compressor is right for you, it’s essential to understand the key differences, advantages, and applications of these compressor technologies.
How do oil-free compressors work?
In oil-free compressors, the moving parts are designed to operate without the need for lubrication. These compressors typically use sealed bearings and advanced materials to minimise friction and heat. Some oil-free compressors also have dual-piston systems or other innovative technologies to enhance efficiency and durability.
The difference between oil free and oil lubricated
Most air compressors are oil lubricated; oil is used to lubricate parts within the compressor to ensure they work efficiently and to help seal air in them. An oil free compressor isn’t technically oil free as oil is still used just not in the compression chamber. The cylinder is lubricated in order to protect the pump during operation, but an inter-cooler is used instead of oil to keep the level of heat down.
Advantages of Oil-Free Compressors
1. Clean Air Production
One of the primary advantages of oil-free compressors is their ability to produce clean, oil-free air alongside the required downstream equipment. This feature is crucial for applications where air purity is paramount, such as in the medical, pharmaceutical, and food and beverage industries. Using oil-free compressors in these settings helps prevent contamination and ensures compliance with strict industry standards. In order to be compliant with industry standards, the quality of your compressed air should be considered as part of the hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP) activity. For applications where the quality of compressed air is critical, Direct Air can measure to the limits of ISO8573 standards.
2. Reduced Maintenance
Oil-free air compressors generally require less maintenance compared to oil-lubricated machines. Since there is no need to monitor and change oil levels, users can save time and reduce the risk of maintenance-related issues. This can lead to lower operational costs and improved reliability. Despite this, just like any air compressor, regular servicing is still vital to ensure optimum efficiency of the compressor and complete system.
3. Environmental Considerations
By eliminating the need for oil, this type of compressor contributes to a cleaner and more sustainable environment. There is no risk of oil spills or disposal of used oil, which can be harmful to the environment, especially if handled incorrectly.
4. Cost Savings
Although oil-free compressors may have a higher initial cost, they have the potential to result in long-term savings. Reduced maintenance requirements, lower energy consumption, and the absence of oil-related expenses can make oil-free compressors a cost-effective choice over time.
Applications of Oil-Free Air Compressors
Oil-less compressed air technology is used in many working environments for its reliability and peace of mind. But it’s most essential where quality standards/purity of the compressed air and the production which the compressed air system powers is extremely important. Therefore, the air must be completely oil free when involved in applications such as:
1. Medical and Pharmaceutical
Within the medical and healthcare industries, any compressed air needs to be as clean as possible. The oil free air compressors that we supply meet ISO 13485 standards to ensure the best practice and low maintenance. We also conduct air quality testing to ensure that air purity is consistently maintained.
Direct Air upgraded Accord Healthcare’s compressed air system with CompAir Ultima compressors, along with the required air treatment. The Ultima air compressor model is the first air-cooled, oil-free air compressor on the market and provided this pharmaceutical company with the high-quality, contaminant-free compressed air required on site.
2. Clothing & Fabric
Oil spillages and leaks can lead to damaged goods. Oil free air compressors eliminate this risk and reduce costs while removing unnecessary wastage.
3. Automotive
Using oil free air compressors in the automotive sector for bodywork leaves a high-quality, smoother finish. Removing the risk of oil contaminating paint. Another use in this industry is often breathing air for staff to use when working is paint spraying booths. All employers have a duty of care to their employees to ensure that the breathing air they are supplied with is adequate for the respiratory protective equipment (RPE) they are using and safe to breathe.
4. Food and Beverage
Oil spillages within food production can lead to health risks and product wastage, alongside poor-quality products. Oil free air compressors should always be used by any good food and beverage manufacturer to avoid this risk. Whether you’re dealing with dairy or crisps, beer or water, compressed air that comes into contact with food and beverage must be controlled in accordance with ISO 8573-1 and ISO 12500.
5. Chemical Production
A clean, uncontaminated production line is essential in these environments. Oil free air compressors enhance the purity within chemical production.
What are the Different Air Purity Classes?
The ISO standard is divided into three main groups of contaminants: Solid particulates, water (both liquid and vapour) and oil (both aerosols and vapour). Each of these categories has up to ten different purity classes (eight for particulates, ten for water and five for oil). The table on our oil-free page displays each ISO class to demonstrate how to choose the correct air purity class and acceptable levels of contamination.
At Direct Air, we offer advice about your current compressed air system and provide quality solutions to ensure you achieve the air quality your business requires. To achieve the stringent air quality levels required for production facilities, a careful approach to system design, commissioning and operation must be employed.
Which standards you should apply will depend on the specific contaminants you aim to remove and the purification equipment you will rely on to do so – the Direct Air team are happy to assist you with this!