How does the Oil Free Co2 Compressor work?

Knowing how oil-free CO2 compressors work and why they last so long, it is best to review each function step by step. The following article shall talk about how the oil-free CO2 compressors work.

Here are the main points of the article:

How do oil-free CO2 compressors work?

What is the oil in the CO2 compressors for?

Why choose CO2 compressors?

1.How do oil-free CO2 compressors work?

Let's walk through how an oil-free CO2 compressor starts working and provides you with the compressed air you need.

Draw in CO2: The oil-free CO2 compressor first draws outside air through the pressure-reducing valve and then through the air filter (or filter) to ensure that the air is clean. The filter will limit damage to the CO2 compressor and its internal components. These filters are usually fine enough that they can prevent dust, dirt and small debris. The unloading valve opens to assist the CO2 compressor in pumping air into its chamber in the loading position. When the valve is closed, the CO2 compressor enters the no-load state and begins to operate. When your CO2 compressor is running and actively delivering compressed air, it usually can't take in more air. When you turn on the CO2 compressor and it begins to suck in air through an open pressure-relief valve, the first destination of the air is the low-pressure compressor component.

First compressor element: You may have noticed that your CO2 compressor generates heat, which is usually related to the low-pressure CO2 compressor components, because it doesn't need any oil to work. The average operating temperature of the compressor is around 2.5 bar, and the compressed air alone enables the unit to operate at temperatures up to 180 degrees. Due to the lack of a flowing medium to carry the heat away, this temperature may be more than twice that reached by the oil-lubricated compressor.

Intercooler access: After the initial compression, the piston pushes the air through an intercooler, where it can cool and compress further. This will move it to the second or last stage of compression, depending on the nature of your compressor. The heat from compressed air limits the amount of oxygen in the air, reducing its density. Cooling air is essentially a simple way to get denser, oxygen-rich air back into use by the engine, thus providing more fuel and increasing power output when the air compressor works with the internal combustion engine. Intercoolers are important for two reasons. First, they cool the air to a suitable temperature to minimize any risk of heat-related damage. Second, in two-stage pumps, the intercooler allows the air to be compressed at a higher PSIs, and the cooling process means that the second stage will face less wear and tear. Cooling the air will cause some condensation, and the intercooler will be equipped with standard filters to remove moisture and water from the air. You will usually see this filter listed as a moisture trap. As the air cools, it returns to the CO2 compressor for additional compression.

Higher-pressure compression: The air will return to the main or second chamber of the CO2 compressor, depending on the design of the CO2 compressor, and will be further compressed by the high pressure element. The maximum pressure you can achieve is usually between 116 and 145 PSIg. Due to the lack of lubrication of the surrounding elements, the air becomes very hot again and needs to be cooled again.

Air preparation and aftercooling: In the second stage of compression, the air will reach a temperature of about 150 degrees Fahrenheit, requiring additional cooling for other equipment. The aftercooler is the air's destination after the final compression stage, and this cooling allows it to be properly stored. As the air flows to the rear cooler, it passes through a check valve designed to prevent any backflow, ensuring that air continues to compress and fill your tank. Backflow can damage your equipment and cause a major malfunction of the CO2 compressor. Many compressors, especially reciprocating compressors, have pulsating shock absorbers located directly in front of the rear cooler. Shock absorbers are designed to reduce the pulsation and vibration caused by the air compressor when it uses the suction valve and opens the discharge valve. Pulsations can reverberate through the piping system, and these vibrations will make it difficult for your tools and machines to measure air pressure and use it correctly. Finally, the air is stored or sent to your device for use.

2. What is the oil in the CO2 compressors for?

When you think about how an oil-free CO2 compressor works, you need to realize that there's oil in the device, but the oil won't come into contact with the CO2 compressor. You have oil in the gearbox of your oil-free CO2 compressor. Your CO2 compressor gearbox is used to drive two CO2 compressor components through an electric motor. The gearbox needs lubrication to function properly and is expensive to replace, so regular maintenance checks should be performed. The oil in the gearbox will lubricate the internal gears and bearings, as well as the bearings and timing gears located in each compressor element. The oil is pumped from the sump inside the gearbox, cooled by the oil cooler and oil filter, and then used to cool the CO2 compressor or gearbox components. The filter is used to remove debris during its lifetime. The main difference is that the internal components and parts of the gearbox will handle long term lubrication. This puts more stress on the engine, but requires less routine maintenance.

3. Why choose CO2 compressors?

Oil-free CO2 compressors are a more thoughtful choice that requires careful consideration of your operation. The basic principle of oil-free CO2 compressors means you can see lower costs, better footprints and cleaner air.

For more information of the CO2 compressors, contact us.