Drilling applications typically use rotary screw air compressors, especially when continuous and stable compressed air is required. For DTH drilling, mining, quarrying, water well drilling and other demanding applications, high-pressure screw compressors are commonly used to provide the required air pressure and airflow.

For remote drilling sites, diesel-powered portable air compressors are a practical choice because they do not require an external electrical power supply. For fixed drilling sites where reliable electricity is available, electric screw compressors can also be considered.

Sollant supplies diesel and electric drilling air compressor solutions and can recommend a suitable configuration based on your drilling method, rig specifications, required pressure and airflow.

The required compressor size depends mainly on the drilling method, hole diameter, drilling depth, DTH hammer or drill bit, required working pressure and airflow.

For example, DTH drilling generally requires a compressor capable of providing sufficient pressure and airflow to operate the down-the-hole hammer and remove rock cuttings from the borehole.

Instead of selecting a compressor based only on the drilling rig model, we recommend providing your drilling rig model, drilling depth, hole diameter, DTH hammer model and required pressure or airflow. Sollant’s engineers can then recommend a suitable compressor configuration.

The required pressure for DTH drilling depends on the DTH hammer, drilling depth, rock formation, hole diameter and operating conditions.

Higher-pressure drilling systems may be required for deeper holes, harder rock formations or specific high-pressure DTH hammers. However, pressure should not be selected independently from airflow because the compressor must provide both sufficient pressure and sufficient air volume for stable drilling performance.

Sollant provides different pressure configurations for drilling applications, including high-pressure solutions. Contact our engineers with your DTH hammer specifications and drilling requirements for a suitable recommendation.

The airflow requirement of a DTH drill varies according to the DTH hammer size, hole diameter, drilling depth, operating pressure and manufacturer specifications.

A larger DTH hammer or larger-diameter borehole will generally require more compressed air. Airflow is also important for maintaining effective cuttings removal during drilling.

When selecting a compressor, we recommend checking the air consumption specified by the DTH hammer manufacturer and allowing an appropriate operating margin rather than selecting a compressor based only on CFM.

Sollant can help you convert your required airflow between CFM and m³/min and recommend a suitable compressor based on your drilling equipment.

For water well drilling, the best compressor depends on the drilling depth, hole diameter, drilling method, geological conditions, DTH hammer and required pressure and airflow.

For mobile water well drilling projects, diesel-powered portable screw compressors are often suitable because they can operate independently of grid electricity and can be transported between drilling locations.

For deeper drilling or applications requiring higher pressure, a high-pressure compressor configuration may be more appropriate.

Sollant provides customized air compressor solutions for water well drilling and can recommend the appropriate pressure, airflow, power and mounting configuration according to your project requirements.

Mining drilling often requires a compressor that can operate reliably under high load, dust, vibration, high temperatures and demanding working conditions.

For mobile mining and blast-hole drilling applications, diesel-powered screw compressors are commonly considered because they provide independent power and can be moved between drilling locations. High-pressure configurations can be selected when required by the drilling equipment and DTH hammer.

When choosing a mining drilling compressor, important factors include:

• Working pressure
• Airflow
• Drilling depth
• Hole diameter
• DTH hammer requirements
• Operating environment
• Diesel engine configuration
• Mobility and mounting requirements

Sollant can provide customized compressor configurations for mining, quarrying and rock drilling applications.

The main difference is the power source and operating environment.

Diesel drilling compressors are suitable for mobile and remote drilling sites where grid electricity is unavailable or unreliable. They provide greater flexibility for outdoor mining, water well drilling, quarrying and construction applications.

Electric drilling compressors are more suitable for fixed drilling locations with a stable electrical power supply. They can be a practical option for long-term stationary operation.

The right choice depends on your jobsite, power availability, operating hours, mobility requirements and local energy costs.

If you are unsure which power configuration is better for your project, Sollant can compare diesel and electric options based on your actual working conditions.

Compressor pressure should be selected according to the DTH hammer or drilling equipment requirements, rather than simply choosing the highest available pressure.

Key factors include:

• DTH hammer operating pressure
• Drilling depth
• Rock hardness
• Hole diameter
• Required penetration performance
• Air pressure loss through hoses and piping
• Working altitude and environmental conditions

The compressor should provide sufficient pressure at the drilling equipment while maintaining the required airflow.

If you provide your DTH hammer model, drilling depth, hole diameter and drilling method, Sollant can help determine a suitable pressure and airflow configuration.