27/02/2010 Rotary screw compressor - Wikipedia, t…

Rotary screw compressor

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A rotary screw compressor is a gas compressor which uses a rotary type positive displacement mechanism.

Contents
1 Operation
2 Size
3 Applications
3.1 Oil-free
3.2 Oil-flooded
4 Flow control
5 Superchargers
5.1 Comparative advantages
5.2 Related terms
6 See also
7 References

Operation
Rotary screw compressors use two screws to compress the gas. The screws are driven through a set of
synchronization gears. Gas enters at the suction side and moves through the threads as the screws rotate.
Clearances between the threads decrease and compress the gas. The gas exits at the end of the screws.[1][2]

The effectiveness of this mechanism is dependent on close fitting clearances between the helical rotors and the
chamber for sealing of the compression cavities.

Size
Rotary screw compressors tend to be compact and smooth running with limited vibration and thus do not require
spring suspension. Many rotary screw compressors are, however, mounted using elastomer vibration isolating
mounts to absorb high-frequency vibrations, especially in rotary screw compressors that operate at high rotational
speeds.

Applications
Typically, they are used to supply compressed air for general industrial applications. Trailer mounted diesel
powered units are often seen at construction sites, and are used to power air operated construction machinery.

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Oil-free
In an oil-free compressor, the air is compressed entirely through the action of the screws, without the assistance of
an oil seal. They usually have lower maximum discharge pressure capability as a result. However, multi-stage oil-
free compressors, where the air is compressed by several sets of screws, can achieve pressures of over 150 psig,
and output volume of over 2000 cubic feet per minute (measured at 60 °C and atmospheric pressure).

Oil-free compressors are used in applications where entrained oil carry-over is not acceptable, such as medicial
research and semiconductor manufacturing. However, this does not preclude the need for filtration as hydrocarbons
and other contaminants ingested from the ambient air must also be removed prior to the point-of-use. Subsequently,
air treatment comparable to an Oil-flooded screw compressor is frequently still required to ensure a given quality of
compressed air.

Oil-flooded
In an oil-flooded rotary screw compressor, oil is
injected into the compression cavities to aid
sealing and provide cooling sink for the gas
charge. The oil is separated from the discharge
stream, then cooled, filtered and recycled. The oil
captures non-polar particulates from the incoming
air, effectively reducing the particle loading of
compressed air particulate filtration. It is usual for
some entrained compressor oil to carry over into
the compressed gas stream downstream of the
compressor. In some applications, this is rectified
by coalescer/filter vessels.[3] In other applications,
this is rectified by the use of receiver tanks that
Diagram of a rotary screw compressor
reduce the local velocity of compressed air,
allowing oil to condense and drop out of the air
stream to be removed from the compressed air system via condensate management equipment.

Standard oil-flooded compressors are capable of achieving output pressures over 200 psig, and output volumes of
over 1500 cubic feet per minute (measured at 60 °C and atmospheric pressure).

Flow control
To adjust the compressor for variable flow conditions a variable speed drive is often required.

Superchargers
The twin-screw type supercharger or twin-screw blower is a
positive displacement type device that operates by pulling air through
a pair of meshing high-tolerance screws similar to a set of worm
gears. Twin-screw superchargers are also known as Lysholm
superchargers (or compressors) after its inventor Alf Lysholm.[4]

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Comparative advantages
The rotary screw compressor has low leakage levels and low
parasitic losses vs. roots-type. The supercharger is typically driven
directly from the engine's crankshaft via a belt or gear drive. Unlike
the Roots type supercharger, the twin-screw exhibits internal
compression which is the ability of the device to compress air
"within" the housing as it is moved through the device instead of
relying upon resistance to flow downstream of the discharge to Lysholm screws. Note the complex shape
establish an increase of pressure. of each screw. The screws run at high
speed and with closely engineered
High-precision CNC manufacturing techniques make the screw type tolerances.
supercharger a more expensive alternative to other forms of
available forced induction. With later technology, manufacturing cost has been lowered while performance
increased.

All supercharger types benefit from the use of an intercooler to reduce heat produced during pumping and
compression.

A clear example of the technology applied by the twin-screw in companies like Ford, Koenigsegg, Mercury Marine
and Mercedes can also demonstrate the effectiveness of the twin screw. While some centrifugal superchargers are
consistent and reliable, they typically don't produce full boost until near peak engine rpm, while positive
displacement superchargers such as Roots type superchargers and twin-screw types offer more immediate boost.

Many cold-air kits, exhaust upgrades, and most often any engine upgrade can often be retained when installing an
after market twin screw.[citation needed]

Related terms
The term "blower" is commonly used to define a device placed on engines with a functional need for additional
airflow. The term blower is used to describe different types of superchargers. A screw type supercharger, roots
type supercharger, and a centrifugal supercharger are all types of blowers.

See also
Gas compressor
Guided rotor compressor
Variable speed air compressor
Vapor-compression refrigeration

References
1. ^ Screw Compressor (http://www.blackmer.com/tech-screw.jsp) Describes how screw compressors work and
include photographs.
2. ^ Fundamentals of natural gas processing (http://books.google.de/books?
id=lcLXk9OzDWoC&pg=PA75&dq=rotary+screw#v=onepage&q=rotary%20screw&f=false)
3. ^ Technical Centre (http://www.domnickhunter.com/technicalcentre/3.3.3) Discusses oil-flooded screw
compressors including a complete system flow diagram
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4. ^ http://www.airends.com/LysholmArticle.htm
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Categories: Compressors | Chemical engineering | Mechanical engineering

This page was last modified on 20 February 2010 at 11:06.

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