While choosing an air compressor to best fit the needs of your business, you’ll have to decide whether to purchase one that is oil-injected or oil-free.

You may have heard that oil-injected air compressors are more durable and great for heavy-duty projects. They may also be the type you’re most comfortable and familiar with. So why might your facility need an oil-free air compressor?

Below, we’ll explain what oil-free air compressors are, outline five advantages of oil-free air compressors, and list some of the oil-free air compressors we carry here at TMI.

What is an Oil-Free Air Compressor?

Air compressors need a form of lubrication in order to keep internal parts moving and functioning properly. Oil-injected air compressors, of course, use oil to lubricate the components inside the compression chamber. Oil-free air compressors, on the other hand, use self-lubricating materials or pre-lubricated and Teflon-coated cylinders instead of oil to keep parts protected and moving safely.

5 Advantages of an Oil-Free Air Compressor

There are many applications that benefit greatly from oil-free air compressors’ unique qualities. Here’s a list of five advantages that oil-free air compressors can bring to your business or facility:

1. Eliminates Product Contamination

In certain industries, strict cleanliness standards must be met to ensure quality production. For applications like these, an oil-free air compressor isn’t just beneficial, it’s necessary. In order to ensure manufactured products are clean and safe, there can’t be any oil particles coming out of the machine and contaminating them.

Some industries that have sensitive applications and could benefit from an oil-free air compressor include:

• Pharmaceutical
• Food and beverage
• Electronics
• Textiles
• Robotics
• Automotive
• Painting
• Aerospace
• Plumbing

Basically, if air quality and contaminant levels are important to your application, an oil-free compressor is what you need. You don’t want to compromise the quality of your products or hurt your reputation with below standard production. If your ISO requirements are Class 0 (100% oil-free) or Class 1 (oil concentration of 0/01 mg/m3 at 1 bar(a), 14.5psia, and 20° C), air quality is important enough for your facility to invest in an oil-free air compressor.

2. Reduces Maintenance Requirements

Oil-injected air compressors require regular oil changes, usually after every 200-500 hours of use. They may also need air/oil separation and filtration treatments to remove oil aerosols. All of that maintenance can add up and cause your business time and money.

Oil-free air compressors don’t need that regular maintenance. Instead, you’ll just have to drain the compressor tank to remove vapor, which is a much smaller commitment.

3. Reduces Cost of Ownership

Most oil-free air compressors are less expensive to begin with, but that can of course vary depending on which product, size, or horsepower you choose. However, since oil-free air compressors require less preventative maintenance, they can offer a much lower cost of ownership.

Also, some oil-free air compressors come with regulators that ensure the machine only uses energy when needed, which can save you money on fuel costs.

4. Increases Speed and Reduces Noise

Oil-injected air compressors require more power to heat up and start working because oil is viscous and difficult to get moving, especially in cold conditions. With an oil-free air compressor, that extra start-up time isn’t needed, so you can get production started without delay.

Another advantage of oil-free compressors is their ability to operate quietly. Some have sound levels as low as 48 dBA. Although sound isn’t the most important consideration for most facilities, it’s a bonus if your engineers and technicians are spending a lot of time near the machine throughout their workday.

5. Reduces Carbon Footprint

Oil-free air compressors are more environmentally friendly than their oil-injected counterparts simply because they don’t release oil contaminants into the air. If you’re using an air compressor for multiple projects a day, and for extended periods of time, going oil-free could lessen your environmental impact dramatically.

Oil-Free Air Compressors at TMI

At TMI, we know the advantages of oil-free air compressors. As West Michigan’s only Sullair distributor, we carry a number of oil-free air compressors. Some of our most popular series include:

Sullair Oil-Free Scroll SRL Series

Built on Hitachi engineering, the Sullair Oil-Free Scroll SRL Series ranges between 2-44 horsepower and 5-129 cubic feet per minute. It also produces air pressures up to 145psig, while maintaining sound levels as low as 48 dBA. It’s a reliable, efficient system that is easy to install and maintain.

Sullair Oil-Free Rotary Screws DSP Series

Also built on Hitachi engineering, the Sullair Oil-Free Rotary Screws DSP Series ranges between 30-300 horsepower. It’s great for air needs between 117-1300 cubic feet per minute, and the DSP line comes with fixed or variable speed drives. These compressors also optimize energy efficiency and come with a three-year package warranty.

Sullair Oil-Free Centrifugal Air Compressors T and F Series

The Sullair Oil-Free Centrifugal Air Compressors T and F Series range between 175-4300 horsepower and 550-11750 cubic feet per minute. With high energy efficiency, exceptional cooling systems, low maintenance costs, and Class 0 air quality, they’re a great choice for plants that consistently need large amounts of clean, oil-free air.

Is an oil-free air compressor right for your application? TMI can help match you with the right model for your facility. From sizing your air compressor to designing an efficient, leak-free system around it, we’re your one stop shop for any air compressors, parts, and components. Contact us today to learn more about your oil-free air compressor options.

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