How To Decide – Reciprocating Compressor or Screw Air Compressor

In a reciprocating compressor, air is taken into a cylinder and then compressed to a higher pressure with a piston using reciprocating motion (much like an engine). Piston compressors are the most common type of compressor used in most industries because of their lower capital investment. These compressors, however, make a lot of noise and vibration. As the compressor operates on reciprocating motion, there is pulsating air produced, which causes the inlet and outlet valve blades to open and close multiple times a second, making higher noise levels. Most air compressors manufacturers provide an allowable duty cycle of 60%-70%. That said, a general recommendation is that when your compressor is idle for more than 50% of the time, it is best to go for a reciprocating compressor. Piston compressors are usually oversized to allow some idle time as they operate at higher temperatures. BAC Reciprocating Compressor ranges from 0.5HP to 20HP and are manufactured to industry standards to withstand above 70% duty cycle.

Screw air compressor consists of 2 rotors, rotating in the opposite direction, compressing air between the lobes to a higher pressure. Since the rotors are rotating and not reciprocating, there is minimal vibration, wear, and downtime compared to a reciprocating compressor. In a reciprocating compressor, there is a high friction loss between the piston rings and cylinder compared to a screw compressor where their rotors are non-contact. The air produced is continuous and prevents the inlet and outlet valves opening and closing continuously, thereby reducing noise to significantly lower levels. Screw compressors are especially good in medium-scale and large-scale industries where there is a continuous requirement of air. These compressors do not prefer idle time and long periods of idle time, which sometimes causes issues. Rotary Screw compressor requires a higher capital investment, but provides better efficiency and faster ROI. There are 2 types of screw air compressor fixed speed and variable speed compressors, each having its own advantages. BAC’s screw compressors currently range from 7.5 hp to 60 hp, and also provide custom combinations for getting the best out of your investment.