What effects will excessive condensation water have on the air compressor?

Summer is hot and humid, with more rain and humid air. The amount of condensed water in the air compressor unit will increase much more than in winter. If the condensate water is not discharged in time, it will cause internal corrosion of the unit, reduce the performance of the lubricating oil, and affect the normal operation of the air compressor. So how is condensation water produced in the air compressor system, and how can we try to avoid the impact of condensation water on the air compressor?

1. Generation of condensation water

The condensate water of screw air compressor mainly comes from air. The air sucked by the air compressor contains moisture. These moisture-containing gases enter the inside of the unit. As the operating temperature of the unit rises, the moisture will evaporate. The evaporated moisture will enter the air storage tank with the compressed air for cooling. When cooling, a lot of liquid water will precipitate, which we call condensation water. If the air humidity is high during the rainy season, there will be more condensation water. Secondly, the air compressor will also produce condensation water when running at low temperature. If the operating temperature of the unit is lower than the water evaporation temperature, the moisture in the air will be directly precipitated to form condensed water. Therefore, long-term low-temperature operation of the unit should be avoided.

2. Discharge of condensate water

The discharge time of condensate water is not clearly defined. It is usually determined based on the humidity of the air inhaled by the unit and the operating conditions. Usually, users will do this after the condensate water has fully settled before starting up or when shutting down. This will not affect the normal use of the unit and ensure the drainage effect. Drainage should be carried out after the air compressor is shut down, there is no pressure in the oil and gas separation tank, and the condensed water has fully settled. Generally, air compressors will be equipped with an air storage tank. There will be a drain valve at the bottom of the air storage tank. Opening the valve will drain the water. In order to facilitate the discharge of condensed water, most users will install automatic drainers. The automatic drainer will be closed when there is no pressure. When the condensed water reaches a certain amount, the drain outlet will automatically open. The water will be discharged under the action of air pressure. At the same time, the buoyancy will decrease, and the air bottle will drop to block the drain outlet.

The condensed water generated during the operation of the air compressor should be discharged in time to avoid serious impact on the operation of the air compressor.

Sollant Focus on Energy Saving