Oil-injected air compressors were once the only option for industrial applications. However, as technology has advanced over time, oil-free air compressors have entered the industrial market and provided businesses with various benefits, helping maintain cleanliness standards while limiting energy and maintenance costs. Selecting the right compressor for your application can save your business considerable time and hassle while providing you with a higher-quality end product.
What Are Oil-Free and Oil-Flooded Air Compressors?
Air compressors have various internal parts, depending on the type of compressor and the model you purchase. These internal parts need to be lubricated to function properly. For oil-injected models, oil is utilized to lubricate the compressor’s internal components. However, this can cause a variety of issues over time. Oil-free air compressors use pre-lubricated and Teflon-coated cylinders or self-lubricating materials to operate while keeping internal parts moving safely within the unit.
A lot of companies begin their production using oil-flooded compressors. These compressors often work for a time, whether one year or five years. Unfortunately, during operation, system contaminants inevitably build up undetected over time. Eventually, product contamination is discovered, and production must be stopped while parts or even entire compressors are replaced, affecting the operation’s expenses and reputation. Choosing an oil-free compressor model can help avoid these disastrous results, reducing shutdown costs and maintaining a positive reputation for your business.
Benefits of Going Oil-Free
The following are some of the biggest benefits you’ll enjoy when you use an oil-free air compressor:
Oil-Free Air Compressors Limit Emissions
Being environmentally conscious is becoming more and more important in industrial settings. Oil-free air compressors avoid the release of oil contaminants into the air, making them much more environmentally friendly. If your application involves using an air compressor for extended periods, opting for an oil-free compressor can significantly limit your system’s environmental impact.
Oil-Free Compressors Have Lower Ownership Costs
Depending on the specifications of your compressor, an oil-free model may be less expensive to purchase initially, as opposed to an oil-injecting model. Oil-free compressors also commonly require less maintenance, limiting your cost of ownership over time. Some oil-free models have regulators that ensure the system only utilizes energy when necessary. This can save you a significant amount in fuel costs if your generator is not required to run constantly. You also save money on oil change costs, as oil-free compressors eliminate that maintenance requirement.
Oil-Free Compressors Have Fewer Maintenance Requirements
Unlike oil-injected compressors, which require frequent oil changes and may need aerosol filtration to remove oil contaminants from the air, oil-free compressors only require draining the compressor tank, which removes vapor from the system. This task is much simpler and requires limited downtime, saving your operation time and money.
Oil-Free Compressors Increase Startup Speed While Limiting Noise
Oil-free compressors allow your production to start working immediately. In contrast, oil-injected air compressors require power and time to heat up and begin operation, as oil can be difficult to get moving throughout the system, particularly in lower temperatures.
Compressors that operate without oil also run at a much lower volume than their oil-injected counterparts. This benefits your employees if they spend significant time near the compressor throughout the day.
Oil-Free Compressors Eliminate Product Contamination
One of the most important benefits of oil-free compressors is their reduced levels of contamination within the compressed air they produce. If air quality and contamination levels are important to your business, opt for an oil-free generator to avoid compromised air quality and the production of below-standard products. Many industries have cleanliness standards that must be met to ensure the quality of their final product. This means that there cannot be any oil particles coming exiting the unit and contaminating the products being manufactured. This benefit makes oil-free air compressors a vital choice for many different industries, including the following:
- Painting
- Pharmaceutical
- Food and Beverage
- Plumbing
- Automotive
- Textiles
- Electronics
- Robotics
- Aerospace
ESA For Your Oil-Free Air Compressor Needs
The experts here at ESA have a vast amount of knowledge regarding oil-free and oil-injected air compressor models. Available in various sizes and specifications, we can help you select the ideal oil-free air compressor for your application’s requirements. Our trained technicians have decades of experience installing, maintaining, repairing, and replacing industrial air compressors, making ESA an ideal option when selecting a new compressor or replacing your current unit.
At ESA, we are dedicated to customer satisfaction and love saving our clients hassle and money throughout the lifespan of their air compressors. If you’re considering the purchase of an oil-free industrial air compressor, call us today for help selecting your model, answering your questions, and ensuring you make the right choice for your business.