Reciprocating Air Compressor

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A reciprocating air compressor uses piston-cylinder, and the equipment gets the name from the reciprocating motion as the piston moves back and forth to increase air pressure by reducing space where compressed air is created.

When shopping for a high pressure reciprocating air compressor, you must know exactly what to look for before you decide what to take home. These reciprocating compressors come in different sizes and variations. You can buy a small reciprocating compressor to use at home or a powerful industrial compressor for your facility. It is easy to settle for the best equipment and require a lot of research. Here are some considerations that you must look into keenly.

The horsepower is used to determine the right compressor to buy, depending on your application. It is the first thing people will consider. There is a misunderstanding in the market that for any tasks that require less than 10HP, a reciprocating compressor comes in handy for most people. On the hand, buyers who need over 10HP are likely to go for the rotary screw

However, these are misinformed buyers because even rotary screw compressors have models with as little as 3 HP, and some reciprocating compressors have as high as 500 HP. They all serve purpose effective as long as you know the power your plant or small project needs.

The first thing you start when looking forward to purchasing a reciprocating industrial air compressor is the amount of air you need. For example, a facility that requires a steady flow of compressed air will need a more powerful compressor. But, a small automotive shop will only need compressed air periodically, and therefore, a small compressor will be perfect.

Most reciprocating air compressors are cooled by air, but you will find a few that are liquid-cooled and have up to 75% duty cycles. However, they have an in-built fan that provides about 25% cooling for the piston and the pump. It helps to reduce the risk of overheating in the air compressor.

While the duty cycle is a significant determinant of what you can buy when looking for a reciprocating compressor, the reciprocating air compressor price is equally important because you can only buy what falls within your budget. The upfront cost is usually a considerable investment. The compressors that rn on a piston cost lower compared to rotary compressors. The main reason behind this is their simple design.

The motor is power by electricity, and it turns the pump to produce compressed air, and that’s it. However, a rotary compressor has many components, including the oil and air separator and the cooling system, which make it more costly than a piston compressor. The pocket-friendly price influences most buyers who go for these reciprocating air compressor types.

You cannot overlook energy usage when settling for a compressor. The piston air compressors use electricity only to compress air. But they can stop when not in use, unlike rotary compressors that have to run throughout, which means they waste a lot of energy in the long run.

Apart from considering the price of a compressor and how much it will cost to run it, you must also think of the maintenance costs. This machine is expensive and an essential part of your facility, so it means losses if it breaks down quite often. You will have to change lubricants and filters to ensure that it’s in perfect condition to work. So, get to know about the availability of reciprocating air compressor parts before you buy a particular model.

Typically a reciprocating compressor is easier to maintain compared to the rotary compressor. But, you still need to set aside enough budgets for your reciprocating industrial air compressor maintenance services.

If you do not take the time to understand the maintenance of an air compressor, you may be surprised by the high costs of its parts and other maintenance services. The overall maintenance of a piston air compressor is cheaper. Besides, the pump’s oil is affordable and only requires a small amount to run the compressor.

The work environment where you intend to use the compressor determines what you can buy. You must get a reciprocating air compressor that is best suited for your facility, which should have the ability to cope with any harsh conditions. A piston compressor has a simple design and fewer components, and it’s, therefore, easier for it to put up with severe environmental factors.

However, you cannot use this compressor where loud noise is a problem. If your facility is located near institutions that may be affected by the vibration of the pistons, it is not an ideal choice. But, can also look for ways on how to reduce the noise or buy a rotary compressor.

Piston air compressors provide air in slight variances. But the essential performance is the same, but you should not buy the latest model unless you know more about its features. The price should also not be your top reason to settle for a particular model. Consider various factors and but a piston or reciprocating compressor that meets your specific needs. As long as the high-pressure reciprocating air compressor works appropriately in your plant, you will never regret or remember other models that you didn’t buy. Efficiency and reliability are all you need in your air compressor.

Crucial Questions You Must Ask When Purchasing a Reciprocating Air Compressor

The reciprocating air compressor is one of the oldest models of compressors. It has proven to be efficient over the years but has undergone modifications to make it more reliable and efficient. You can choose to buy an oil-injected or oil-free model. Besides, your air compressor can be either single-stage or two-stage reciprocating air compressor. Whichever you decide to buy, always ask the following questions.

What is More Efficient for Your Business, A Gas, or Electric Piston Compressor?

An industrial reciprocating air compressor used indoors is mostly stationary. An electric reciprocating air compressor is ideal if you do not have much space, and ventilation is a problem. It does not release a lot of emissions, and the noise is not as much as a gas-powered one.

However, if you are looking for a mobile piston air compressor for sale, most of the models available are gas-powered. It is the best fit because you can use it outdoors, where there is no power access. These are the compressors used in construction sites or attached to trucks to work in remote areas.

Which is the Best Choice for Work Environment, an Oil-Injected, or an Oil-Free Reciprocating Compressor?

When choosing between an oil-injected and an oil-free reciprocating compressor, you must consider the level of purity needed in the final product. If you are looking for extremely pure compressed air, you should avoid the oil-injected models as they may contaminate your final product. This means you should go for an oil-free air compressor where you do not need to worry about oil molecules found in the compressed air.

Most of the oil-free reciprocating air compressors are used in dental labs, breweries, and paint shops. On the other hand, the oil-injected ones are ideal for auto shops, industrial facilities, and metal and wood workshops.

What Is the Ideal Size Of A Reciprocating Air Compressor For You To Buy?

The size of the reciprocating industrial air compressor you should buy is determined by several factors, including portability needs, location, available space, rice, and required power. It is crucial to get the right size because if your piston air compressor is undersized, it will not help you fulfill application needs. Besides, it can overheat and experience problems such as overheating and oil leaking, which eventually causes pump failure.

But, when a reciprocating air compressor is best suited for the intended application, it will provide enough compressed air without overworking. This means increased efficiency and reliability.

How To Determine The Pressure Needed?

Before you decide how much pressure you need, check your other machines and tools. The air compressor should be slightly powerful than the total amount of force required by your tools. However, 100 psi is a safe measurement and comes in handy for most facilities. If you are not sure how much pressure is ideal for your applications, seek professional help, and have your tools and machines accesses by a professional technician to determine the best strength for them.

Receiver Tank

While the size of the tank doesn’t really matter, you should check liters per minute. This is the capacity of the compressor to produce compressed air. However, if you want to store many liters of compressed air, you need a powerful air compressor. A small piston air compressor will take too long to fill a big tank, and you might end up overworking it.

What Are The Advantages Of High-Pressure Reciprocating Air Compressors?

If you know a piston air compressor and how it works, you are aware of its numerous advantages. It is popular with most industry owners because it can be applied I various tasks. Some of the pros of this type of air compressor include:

• The reciprocating air compressor is affordable, and the costs of installing one are lower compared to other types of air compressors.
• They are most suitable for gas and oil operations because they are easy to maintain. Besides, they can provide continuous airflow, and their maintenance costs are low despite being so reliable.
• These compressors can offer high pressure and power. It is possible to find a reciprocating air compressor that can produce 400 bar pressure and pressure of 500 HP.
• A reciprocating air compressor is the best if you want pure end-product.
• You can find a reciprocating air compressor of any size. A piston air compressor is available in both large and small models to fit your application.
• Most of them are made for installation on the working site, so you do not need to deal with long pipes and fluctuating pressure.
• The cooling system is in-built, so you do not need to buy a separate one.

Despite having so many advantages, there is another side of the piston air compressor that you should know. This includes:

• You cannot carry over the piston ring’s lubricant; instead, always replace the old oil with new regularly.
• The air compressor is relatively noisy and may not be used in some environments.
• Though you can run this type of air compressor continuously, it needs a break. It is designed to work 50% of the time and not more than 80%.
• It uses a lot of energy to process compressed air to store in the storage tank. It actually saves air at a higher pressure point than what is required, and so the power goes to waste as the air has to be reduced to a lower pressure to fit its end-use.

Where is The Industrial Reciprocating Air Compressor?

A piston air compressor is used where a high flow of compressed air is needed. It is ideal for industrial use, but you can find small versions with less power for DIY projects. The air compressor offers dry gas, which is suitable for a process that requires dry air. This is the air compressor to choose over rotary compressors and wet gas compressors if your applications require highly pure air.

What Gases Can Be Compresses By a Reciprocating Industrial Air Compressor

A reciprocating air compressor can be used in many industrial applications. Some of the gases it can compress include oxygen and hydrogen for chemical processes. It also produces air for tools and hydrocarbon to refine different gases, which may be for storage or transmission.

Conclusion

A piston air compressor is an essential equipment piece in most industrial facilities. It comes with many advantages that make it an ideal choice over compressor types.  Buying one is a wise decision for you both in the form of efficiency and costs. Just make sure one that fits your application in terms of power, size, and production of pressurized air.