What are the benefits of an oil-free compressor?

• Posted by Tom Heretan August 29, 2022 Filed in Other #What are the benefits of an oil-free compressor?  48 views
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  While choosing an air compressor to best fit the needs of your business, you’ll have to decide whether to purchase one that is oil-injected or oil-free.

   

  You may have heard that oil-injected air compressors are more durable and great for heavy-duty projects. They may also be the type you’re most comfortable and familiar with. So why might your facility need an oil-free air compressor?

   

  Below, we’ll explain what oil-free air compressors are, outline five advantages of oil-free air compressors, and list some of the oil-free air compressors we carry here at TMI.

   

  WHAT IS AN OIL-FREE AIR COMPRESSOR?

  Air compressors need a form of lubrication in order to keep internal parts moving and functioning properly. Oil-injected air compressors, of course, use oil to lubricate the components inside the compression chamber. Oil-free air compressors, on the other hand, use self-lubricating materials or pre-lubricated and Teflon-coated cylinders instead of oil to keep parts protected and moving safely.

   

  5 ADVANTAGES OF AN OIL-FREE AIR COMPRESSOR

  There are many applications that benefit greatly from oil-free air compressors’ unique qualities. Here’s a list of five advantages that oil-free air compressors can bring to your business or facility:

   

  1. ELIMINATES PRODUCT CONTAMINATION

  In certain industries, strict cleanliness standards must be met to ensure quality production. For applications like these, an oil-free air compressor isn’t just beneficial, it’s necessary. In order to ensure manufactured products are clean and safe, there can’t be any oil particles coming out of the machine and contaminating them.

   

  Some industries that have sensitive applications and could benefit from an oil-free air compressor include:

   

  Pharmaceutical

  Food and beverage

  Electronics

  Textiles

  Robotics

  Automotive

  Painting

  Aerospace

  Plumbing

  Basically, if air quality and contaminant levels are important to your application, an oil-free compressor is what you need. You don’t want to compromise the quality of your products or hurt your reputation with below standard production. If your ISO requirements are Class 0 (100% oil-free) or Class 1 (oil concentration of 0/01 mg/m3 at 1 bar(a), 14.5psia, and 20° C), air quality is important enough for your facility to invest in an oil-free air compressor.

   

  2. REDUCES MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS

  Oil-injected air compressors require regular oil changes, usually after every 200-500 hours of use. They may also need air/oil separation and filtration treatments to remove oil aerosols. All of that maintenance can add up and cause your business time and money.

   

  Oil-free air compressors don’t need that regular maintenance. Instead, you’ll just have to drain the compressor tank to remove vapor, which is a much smaller commitment.

   

  3. REDUCES COST OF OWNERSHIP

  Most oil-free air compressors are less expensive to begin with, but that can of course vary depending on which product, size, or horsepower you choose. However, since oil-free air compressors require less preventative maintenance, they can offer a much lower cost of ownership.

   

  Also, some oil-free air compressors come with regulators that ensure the machine only uses energy when needed, which can save you money on fuel costs.

   

  4. INCREASES SPEED AND REDUCES NOISE

  Oil-injected air compressors require more power to heat up and start working because oil is viscous and difficult to get moving, especially in cold conditions. With an oil-free air compressor, that extra start-up time isn’t needed, so you can get production started without delay.

   

  Another advantage of oil-free compressors is their ability to operate quietly. Some have sound levels as low as 48 dBA. Although sound isn’t the most important consideration for most facilities, it’s a bonus if your engineers and technicians are spending a lot of time near the machine throughout their workday.

   

  5. REDUCES CARBON FOOTPRINT

  Oil-free air compressors are more environmentally friendly than their oil-injected counterparts simply because they don’t release oil contaminants into the air. If you’re using an air compressor for multiple projects a day, and for extended periods of time, going oil-free could lessen your environmental impact dramatically.