Parts & Accessories Guide

Compressor Products

Compressor Parts & Accessories Buyer’s Guide

Choosing the Right Factory-Original Compressor Parts & Accessories

Compressor Parts & Accessories
Gardner Denver is a recognized industry leader of factory-original compressor parts and accessories, all backed
by extensive local and factory service and support.

The information in this Compressor Parts & Accessories Buyer’s Guide is a critical part of making the right
decision when buying a compressor. It’s just as important to know how to choose high quality, factory-original
parts and accessories that deliver tangible value, as it is to select the right compressor.

What can be learned from this Guide will help companies maintain the maximum performance of their original
compressors after parts are replaced. Plus, knowing the full selection of air compressor accessories allows
buyers to enhance or customize their compressors to achieve even greater performance or to augment a unique
process.

Section 1: Explains the optimum specifications compressor buyers should demand in

replacement parts and accessories.

Section 2: Reveals why buyers will save more money when they choose the right compressor
parts and accessories.

Section 3: Presents the positive impact the right compressor parts and accessories have on
compressor performance.

Section 4: Explains the types of compressor parts and accessories that are most beneficial to
productivity, revenue and profit.

Desiccant Air Dryers Filters

Section 1: How to Choose Compressor Parts & Accessories with Optimum
Specifications
When capital is invested in a new air compressor, a company expects a certain level of performance and
productivity, providing measurable value and proving the wisdom of its investment.

A company may decide to add value with the purchase of compressor accessories, either as part of the original
investment or later, to improve the equipment’s capabilities, in response to growth, system changes or other
reasons.

The wise air compressor buyer also understands that all mechanical equipment will eventually require
replacement parts. Selecting factory-original replacement parts will extend the life of an air compressor and
allow it to continue to provide maximum performance and productivity.

For example, air dryers and filters are a critical part of any air compressor, so having choices, with exacting
specifications, will give buyers more confidence they are choosing correctly.

 Companies that need air quality that conforms to ISO 8573.1 air quality standards will want to choose
premium quality dryers and/or filters that are tested to these exacting standards. Conforming to ISO
8573.1 air quality standards ensures dryer and filter performance fulfills specific applications. These
ISO standards define the air quality for particulates, humidity, water, and oil, allowing plant engineers
to specify appropriate dryer and filtration requirements with confidence.

 ISO quality classes and their respective performance for solids, dew point and oil are outlined in the
table below.

 Accessories for air compressors are as diverse as the type of applications and industries that utilize air. It is
key that a compressor supplier has all the parts and accessories for these diverse applications.
 Other key accessories include oil/water separators that ensure condensate drained from an air system is
disposed of properly and oil contaminates do not enter public drains. There are a variety of separators that
can be sized for the amount of condensate being generated and the type of oils that need to be separated
from the water. Selecting these is key to compliance; and having high quality product is essential.

Gardner Denver FIL Series Filters Gardner Denver CTS Eliminator Oil Water Separator
Section 2: How to Save More Money When Choosing the Right Compressor
Parts & Accessories
When buyers make smart decisions about the compressor parts and accessories they choose, they should
realize measurable savings in the total cost of any compressor. If he or she has chosen the right air compressor
originally, then it will deliver an exceptionally longer life. That will reduce the number of parts that will ever
need to be replaced and push those costs much further into the future.

Using the filter example, selecting the right one not only protects the compressor, but also the processes and
the products manufactured with those processes. Nothing costs more money than delivering contaminated
products to the market.

Buyers must be equally knowledgeable when selecting air compressor lubricants.

Savings are generated not only by using the right lubricant in the right
compressor, but also using those lubricants that minimize maintenance and
downtime. Rotary screw compressors with oil injection that operate under harsh
service conditions and high compressor temperatures need a lubricant that
doesn’t form varnish and system deposits. Otherwise, parts don’t last or perform
to a company’s rigorous standards. This may cause unanticipated costs for parts
and maintenance much sooner than expected. Gardner Denver lubricants are specifically formulated to work in
Gardner Denver compressors, and use of sub-standard lubricants can lead to pre-mature product failure.
Gardner Denver Rotary Screw Lubricant

The right air system controller can also be a money saver, especially when a company is operating reciprocating
and rotary air compressors in any combination. Exceptional air system controllers will include a lead/lag
option, so companies can be confident all their compressors are operating at a maximum level of efficiency,
which translates into very satisfying cost controls.

Saving money on compressor parts and accessories is also a function of choosing those that are compatible
with your existing compressor. Contact a local Gardner Denver Distributor for help matching your compressor
equipment with the best factory-original parts and accessories for you.

Gardner Denver AirSmart Controller

 Section 3: Compressor Parts & Accessories’ Impact on Performance
Performance is the key to the value of any air compressor’s efficiency, productivity and contribution to the
bottom line. Air compressors that don’t perform at the level manufacturers claim are more likely to require
more maintenance, service and replacement parts, which increase equipment and labor downtime and
interruptions in production.

Buyers must familiarize themselves with the performance specifications of any air compressor parts and
accessories they are considering to purchase. Air loss, for example, has
a direct and debilitating impact on performance. That’s why carefully
choosing seemingly minor equipment, such as drains and piping
systems, is just as important as more prominent parts and accessories.

Pneumatic, electronic demand, and timed electric drains are

manufactured to address various applications. A timed electric drain
with a dual timer, for example, allows the user to set accurately the
correct drain cycle. Performance is also positively impacted when an
electric drain has the versatility to be installed directly on drain points
on filters, separators, dryers, drip legs and air compressor receivers. An
excellent pneumatic drain automatically removes liquid, oil and water
contaminants from compressed air system components, with zero air
loss with no need for electricity. Performance is also maximized when a mechanical drain’s design does not
allow liquid to re-enter the air stream, and accumulate there. Electronic Demand drains offer installation
flexibility and reduce energy consumption by operating on the level of demand.
Gardner Denver Pneumatic/Mechanical Drains

Better performance in a piping system is a result of superior strength

coupled with lightweight design. Look for nickel-plated brass fittings
and powder-coated extruded aluminum pipe that performs like
traditional steel piping, but at the cost of systems using plastics.
Performance is enhanced further when installation requires no
welding and no preventive checks or maintenance are needed
throughout the long life of this kind of piping system.
Gardner Denver Quick-Lock Tubing
Section 4: Types of Compressor Parts & Accessories and Buying
Considerations
This handy chart presents a number of the air compressor parts and accessories that buyers are likely to
choose. It describes the function of each component and points to consider when choosing parts and
accessories.
Part or Accessory Function Considerations
Dryers A dryer creates the dry, clean air that all Rely only on refrigerated dryers that can
compressed air systems require. They are provide consistent, clean 38° F
available from the better manufacturers as compressed air, with integrated filters,
refrigerated, desiccant, and membrane automatic zero-loss drains, and optional
dryers. controller levels. If a company has a
paint-spraying operation then a single-
tower desiccant air dryer may be the best
choice because of its minimum
investment, and features specifically
designed for point-of-use applications. A
membrane dryer is an attractive option
in a laboratory environment where it
utilizes membrane dryer technology it
reliably removes moisture as a water
vapor. Membrane dryers are an excellent
alternative for point of use applications
for required dew points of -40 °F.

Compressed Air The intake air filter prevents dirt, dust and
Filters other particles from entering the air end.
If particles are allowed to enter the air end,
they become entrained in the oil system
and will decrease oil and oil filter life, and
thus cause unnecessary air-end wear.
Insist on heavy-duty filters with a large
surface area and a low filter-micron
rating. A micron rating of 10 is
considered a good quality rating. The
large surface area adds to the filter life
and increases the time between changes.
Some units are also equipped with a
service indicator that signals when the
filter needs attention.

Air/Oil Separator Consists of an oil reservoir, oil filter and
System flow piping. Before the compressed air can
be used, the oil must be separated from the
air/oil mixture that is compressed in the
air end. A properly designed system will
prevent oil carryover down to 2 PPM (parts
per million).
Look for systems with large filter surface
area, adequate storage capacity and low
oil carryover rates. Oil carryover rates
should be “after the separator.” Be wary
of machines with “package” carryover
rates where measurements are taken at
the final discharge and not after the
separator, where oil carryover ratings
will be twice as much.
Air/Oil Cooling Most compressor packages are equipped
System with a radiator-type, fan-cooled oil cooler
and an air after-cooler. Larger horsepower
models can be air- or water-cooled.
Control Piping Control piping is used to convey air and/or
the air/oil mixture to the major
components.
Lubricants Lubricants ensure economical operating
and service life in air compressors at high
and low temperatures, industry-specific
applications and harsh or unusual
environments.
This Compressor Parts & Accessories Buyer’s Guide will prove to be an easy-to-use and beneficial resource for
all companies that need the reliability, cost savings, performance, and productivity of factory-original
compressor parts and accessories.
To receive cool, dry, compressed air, look
for systems that can reduce air
temperature to within 15° of ambient.
Units with a thermal mixing valve will
assume proper oil temperature for best
lubrication, and prevent condensation
from forming in the oil.
Insist on safe, corrosion-resistant,
stainless steel control lines and
galvanized fittings for maximum
durability. Plastic tubing, rubber hoses
and black piping will eventually fail and
require maintenance.
Look for lubricants with various
formulations and highly developed
additives that provide oxidative and
viscosity stability, protect air
compressors and their parts from
corrosion and minimize carbon
accumulation. Such lubricants could be
totally synthetic, a semi-synthetic or a
specific blend, such as a food-grade, PAO
(polyaphaolefin), which is authorized by
the USDA as an H-1 approved lubricant
for use in federally inspected meat and
poultry plants.