Piston And Rotary Screw Air Compressors Compared

03/09/2017

What Is Air Compressor?

An air compressor is a device which converts power into potential energy . The energy from the compressed air is used in variety of applications. When tank pressure is in lower limit, the air compressor turns on again and re-pressurizes the tank. An air compressor is different from a pump because it works for any gas/air, while pumps work on a liquid.

Have you ever thought of buying a new air compressor and confused of choosing between the rotary screw and piston type compressors? If yes is your answer, then you are on the right page. Here, in this post, I am going to provide you the major comparison between the rotary screw and piston air compressors.

Before we get started let me ask you a simple question. How many of you own an air compressor? And whether you know the type and the specifications of your air compressor? Most of us don't know that, isn't it? Being a power tool user you ought to know the type of an air compressor and also it is vital to know about its specifications.

You may also want to know about the best impact driver as a power tool user. There are many reviews from the power tool experts, and I strictly advice you to read the reviews before purchasing.

Let us discuss the major comparison between the top two types of air compressor i.e., piston and the rotary screw.

The Major Comparison

The duty cycle of a piston air compressor is limited whereas in rotary screw air compressors the duty cycle is 100% utilized.
The oil carry over limit of a piston air compressor is about 10 ppm and it also it doesn't have any upper limits, whereas in rotary screw air compressors the oil carry over limit is about 1 ppm - 7 ppm.
In piston air compressors the noise level is around 80 + dB (A) which is the sound level of an alarm clock and that of a rotary screw air compressor is 65 - 75 dB (A) which is the sound level of conversational speech.
The internal operating temperature of the piston air compressor is about 300 to 400 degree F, and that of rotary screw air compressor is about 170 -200 degree F.
And the discharge temperature of a piston air compressor is about 100 degree F and higher above ambient and whereas in rotary screw air compressors the discharge temperature is about 15 - 25 degree F.