Air compressors are an important piece of equipment for any facility that uses them. However, with the wrong approach, an air compressor can account for half of the cost of annual electricity. There are many different ways to prevent this kind of waste. One way is to consider oil free or an oil less compressor over oil-flooded. What will be better for your situation will vary on your circumstances. Here are five ways that an oil free compressor can be advantageous over an oil-flooded compressor.
For those with sensitive applications, an oil free compressor is especially beneficial over an oil-flooded compressor. End products and uses will have significantly less oil condensate. Any industries with sanitary requirements, such as Food & Beverage and Pharmaceutical manufacturing, would be better off utilizing oil free compressors for their facilities. This is especially true for Sullair’s oil free DSP series. The DSP series offers ISO Class 0 air, which means it goes beyond the regulations set by ISO, with fewer solid particles per million than Class 1 air. For example, one feature that allows for this is the rotary screws themselves resist toxic contaminates, which could potentially stick to the rotors and reduce the air quality over time.
Sullair has designed its oil free compressors to be durable and requires less maintenance than other compressors. This is accomplished with patented PTFE-free coated stainless steel rotary screws, patented pre-cooler design, and a capacity control system designed to operate one million cycles per year. Additionally, these rotors do not degrade over time, unlike other rotors.
3. An Oil Free Compressor Reduces the Annual Cost of Ownership
In the same vein as needing less maintenance, Sullair’s oil free compressors cost less per year than other compressors. This is due to a mix of factors. First, is mentioned above, facilities do not need to spend money on repairs or services for their compressors. Second, oil free compressors from Sullair come standard with an oil mister. Since no lubricant is used in the air compression process, the DSP compressor uses much less oil than a lubricated compressor, which means paying less for lubricants through the years.
4. New Compressor Technology Increases Speed Without Increasing Noise
Yes, you read that correctly. More compressed air without the noise. Sullair compressors use Hitachi state-of-the-art motors that are efficient, compact, and consume 30% less power when kept at no load. This is paired with a noise reducing full enclosure and a solid baseplate to keep the compressor as quiet as a dishwasher.
5. Oil Free Compressors Reduces Carbon Emissions
It goes without saying that reducing the amount of oil and other contaminants in compressed air means that the compressor itself is a great choice for those looking to reduce their carbon footprint. Additionally, Sullair has many ways to reduce electricity waste with various attachments and innovations to their products.
Next Steps
Interested in how an oil free compressor can benefit you? Reach out to our sales team here, email us at sales@nwpump.com or call 1-800-452-PUMP to get started. Looking for maintenance on your current compressor equipment? Request service here, or contact us at service@nwpump.com or 1-866-577-2755.
Starting on July 1st this year, Northwest Pump is now partnering with Wilo to become an authorized service provider for Wilo brand pumps. In addition to selling Wilo & American-Marsh, Northwest Pump will now add Scot Pump, Weil Pump, & QuantumFlo to our list of vendors. We are also bringing Wilo and Wilo brand pumps to our Fresno branch. Here is a guide to Wilo, their brands, and the products & solutions they offer.
Wilo Pumps & Other Products
Wilo offers centrifugal, sump, in-line, end suction, split case, and submersible pumps for HVAC, water supply, drainage, and sewage. Many of Wilo’s centrifugal pumps are also ANSI and NSF certified. Additionally, Wilo also provides circulators, boosting systems, pressure tanks, and individual parts for aftermarket repairs.
Wilo’s Other Brand Pumps
American-Marsh Pumps
American-Marsh offers end suction, process sump, self-priming, split-case, ANSI process pumps, and vertical and submersible turbine pumps. Besides their pump offerings, American-Marsh also sells mechanical seals, electrical motors, and other fire protection equipment. This brand serves industrial, municipal, agricultural, commercial, & fire-protection markets.
Diagram of Close & Flex-Coupled/Inline End Suction Pumps
Scot Pump
Scot Pump focuses on end suction single-stage centrifugal pumps designed for several applications. The uses range from industrial plants, temperature controllers, truck-mounted, marine environments, and outdoor rooftops, to name just a few. This manufacturer uses various materials such as iron, bronze, aluminum, and stainless steel.
Weil Pump
Weil specializes in centrifugal pumps. This brand offers submersible, grinder, sump, sewage, and dry well pumps, turbine condensate return pumps, booster systems, control panels, and other pumping accessory equipment.
QuantumFlo
QuatumFlo is the newest Wilo brand, and its focus is on packaged pumping systems. This brand not only manufactures pumps, it also offers software to maximize the efficiency of pump systems as well.
Next Steps
Did a product listed above catch your eye? Check out Wilo’s complete catalog with all four brands mentioned here.
Ready to inquire about Wilo pumps? Email our team for the next steps and other information by emailing sales@nwpump.com, calling us at 1-800-452-PUMP, or contacting us here. Does your Wilo brand pump need service? You can access our official Wilo service center pump shop by requesting service here, emailing service@nwpump.com, or calling 1-866-577-2755.
One of the many ways a facility can become more environmentally friendly is changing how they receive its compressed air. Using the wrong compressor can mean less efficient production and more energy waste. On the other hand, improperly running the right air compressor can also waste energy. Here are a few ways to make your facility a little more green with Sullair.
Air Compressor Longevity
Since 1965, Sullair has been known for durable air compressors. Driven by a legendary air end design, Sullair builds its compressors to last. A Sullair unit can reliably run more than seventy-thousand hours before needing to be replaced. To put this into perspective: a typical 40-hour workweek means an average of 2,080 hours in a year. With the right maintenance, lubrication, and compressed air system in place, a compressor from Sullair can last even over one hundred thousand hours.
Sullair’s Sustainable Equipment Offerings
The two best Sullair air compressor series for being environmentally friendly are the S-Energy and the DSP series. Both compressors have Variable Speed Drives (also referred to as VDS). This allows the compressor to control the motor’s speed at many different levels instead of one precise point, which can increase the energy efficiency of the air compressor in the right circumstances. This means you only pay to compress the air you need, which helps increase energy efficiency and saves you money. Those interested in VDS compressors but do not have enough need for it can also consider having a spiral valve on their compressor.
The DSP Series
The DSP series is oil-free, meaning that the oil does not encounter the air being compressed. In fact, the DSP series has ISO 8573-1 Class Zero air, which means that this air surpasses Class 1 qualifications- all without needing as much additional filtration equipment as oil flooded compressors. This eliminates the chance of oil damaging sensitive machinery through the air and makes the condensate byproduct safer for disposal. When air purity is critical, the DSP series is a great choice.
All DSP compressors come with an oil-demister, which further retains the oil used to make it even more efficient. Another feature the DSP series offers is the patented high pre-cooler design. This prevents premature after-cooler failure and increases the durability of the compressor further. Another feature of the DSP series compressor is the optimized rotor design. Typically, oil-free compressors use PTFE. However, with proprietary MOS2 coating, Sullair maximizes the lifespan of the air-end and protects your investment. Finally, a standard DSP series compressor has a totally enclosed, fan-cooled (TEFC) motor and an optional NEMA 4 Wye-Delta starting cabinet. The TEFC motor means that outside contaminants do not enter the machine, which prevents long-term damage, and the NEMA 4 starting cabinet further protects against dust & harsh weather.
The S-Energy Series
While the S-Energy compressor series is oil-flooded, meaning that oil mixes with compressed air and the condensate, there are ways to minimize harm to the environment and increase efficiency. Sullair S-energy compressors are engineered for reliability, durability, and performance. These units can help you optimize efficiency and are in for the long haul. They can last up to 100,000 working hours if you treat them right.
S-Energy units come standard with a TEFC motor & NEMA 4 Wye-Delta starting cabinet, just like the DSP. Additionally, Sullair used their fifty-five years of experience designing lasting air-ends to maximize the lifespan of the S-Energy compressors. An S-Energy unit can easily last for seventy, eighty, or even one hundred thousand working hours with the correct maintenance. The last standard S-Energy sustainability feature is the WS control system. Its enhanced functionality means that an operator can receive energy usage reports on their computer, tablet, or smartphone and better control the outputs of their compressor.
Sustainable Air Compressor Attachments
Sullair offers many auxiliary products to help keep your operation environmentally friendly. Northwest Pump recommends the following products to help optimize energy efficiency and improve the longevity of your compressor and its components and other equipment and products. First, help separate harmful oil from condensate by using an oil/water separator. This keeps the condensate safe for drains, pipes, and accidental spills and allows for safer oil disposal.
The following sustainable attachment is the SULLIMAX Condensate Drain. It works using an automatic drain to remove condensate at a specific temperature without releasing compressed air. This reduces compressor maintenance and reduces energy use, and maximizes savings. According to Sullair’s trials, a facility could see a return on investment for the SULLIMAX in 150 days.
Finally, every compressor needs fluid or oil to keep it running, and Sullube is one of the top compressor fluids on the market. It protects the Diamond warranty on the S-Energy series and is also biodegradable. This means that handling or disposing of condensate with Sullube is faster, safer, & cheaper. Another feature of Sullube is that it is non-varnishing and cleans existing varnish off surfaces.
What Northwest Pump does to keep your equipment sustainable
Northwest Pump has a few tricks up our sleeve to lower your carbon footprint as much as possible. Our technicians and representatives offer site & utility assessments for new projects. These audits can determine how much a facility will spend on utilities & how to minimize pain points in the production flow. From there, we can offer customizable solutions to serve the needs of our customers best. Additionally, our service team provides customizable rotating equipment service plans. These plans mean our service technicians arrive at your facility and maintain your air compressors and pumps. Our service team also offers recycling services for air compressor filters & oil.
Next Steps
Looking for your sustainable equipment solution? Start the conversation by emailing us at sales@nwpump.com or calling 1-800-452-PUMP. Interested in our service capabilities? Reach out here for service requests or call 1-866-577-2755.
Summer is just around the corner, and with the change in season, now is the perfect time to check your entire facility and prevent emergencies before they happen. Here are ten ways to check the health of your pumps and air compressors and a pair of seasonal facility maintenance checklist printouts below to keep on hand.
Compressor Checklist
□ Change your oil
Whether a compressor is oil-flooded or oil-free, the start of a new season is the perfect time to refresh the oil on a compressor. Keep in mind, that some brands need specific lubricants. For example, Sullair compressors need genuine Sullube to keep within warranty. Additionally, why not conduct an oil sampling? This also protects the diamond warranty, and lets you know about the health of your compressor.
□ Check your oil cooler & aftercooler
One of the many uses of oil in the compressor is to reduce the heat within the machine. This process protects the machinery from unnecessary damage, and why checking the oil cooler & aftercooler should be on your list.
□ Check your package air inlet filters
The easiest way to check if the package air inlet filter needs a replacement is by hovering your hand over the top of the compressor. If you feel a breeze, then your inlet filter is working just fine. If there is a weak breeze or none at all, it’s time for the filter to be cleaned or replaced. This check is especially helpful for compressors that are in environments with more dust or other particles in the air that can clog up filters.
□ Check the make-up air
In a similar vein, checking the room a compressor is in is also important. The three points to consider are: making sure that the air surrounding the air compressor (make-up air) is free of particles and other contaminants, making sure that make-up air is adequate, and making sure that the temperature in the room can withstand compressed air that is 15°F higher than the ambient temperature.
If you don’t have a manometer to check the adequacy of your make-up air, one easy test is to test the compressor room door. Is it difficult to open when you open the door, or does it try to slam shut when you let go? If so, you should consider consulting one of our specialists to help you redesign your make-up air to the room.
□ For Variable Speed Drives Only: Check your cooling fan & filter
One of the benefits of variable speed drives is that if the machinery is not used continuously, the compressor will be far more efficient in stopping and starting. However, this means that the cooling fan may wear down easier in the shut-off process. Now is the perfect time to make sure your cooling fan & the filter to it can beat the summer heat.
Pump Checklist
□ Check Oil/lubrication on pumps
When conducting any kind of seasonal equipment maintenance, checking oil is a vital first step. For a pump to run properly, the rotating or moving parts must be able to move freely, and the stationary parts must stay where they need to be. So, making sure that those moving parts are properly lubricated is the first thing to check on your pump.
□ Lubricate Bearings
Similarly, making sure that the joints & bearings on your pump are lubricated is also very important. However, it is even more important to make sure that your bearings are not over lubricated, as this also damages your pump. Consult your pump’s manual or user guide to know how much lubrication is needed for your bearings.
For facilities that do not want to spend the time to check the user manual for every pump and then lubricate every bearing, A.W. Chesterton offers the Lubri-cup as the perfect solution. This device automatically dispenses the preprogrammed amount of lubrication to the pump. One Lubri-cup can reduce a facilities manager’s workload by two days, which means your team can spend more time on other tasks than just lubricating pumps.
□ Check Mechanical Seals and Packing (if applicable)
The more leaks a pump has, the less efficient it will be. One of the easiest places for leaks to occur is in the seals. So, if your pump has mechanical seals to prevent leaks, check those fairly often. If there is a puddle underneath a seal, you need a new seal. The same also goes for pump packing as well.
□ Check the Coupling Element
Image from Pumps & Systems
If your pump has a coupling element, it will be located between the motor & pump (see image to the right). If your motor & pump are not properly aligned, you will wear out not just the coupling element but the motor & pump as well. So, if you look at your pump and there is shredded material below your coupling element, call your pump service provider immediately.
□ Feel your pump
Our pump technicians also recommend checking your pumps at startup by placing one hand on the motor and one hand on the pump where it is safe to do so. When your pump turns on, you should feel smooth vibration. If you feel a lot of vibration or your pump is louder than usual, that means it could be experiencing cavitation or air pockets. These air pockets damage the interior of the pump, which can then lead to replacing a pump earlier than expected.
Next Steps
Download an air compressor-specific seasonal facility maintenance checklist by clicking here. Download the pump checklist by clicking here. If you need help completing this checklist, why not consider Northwest Pump’s Rotating Equipment Service Agreements. Email our service team at service@nwpump.com or call us at 1-866-577-2755 to have a customized service plan of your own.
When equipment fails, no feeling can be better than knowing that there is a warranty to protect from unnecessary costs of repairs or replacements. Many of our vendors offer warranties; however, Sullair offers a superior compressor warranty in the industry to prove their products’ quality. Here is what you need to know about Sullair’sDiamond Warranty.
What does this compressor warranty cover?
The majority of Sullair’s compressors include the Diamond Warranty*. It covers most Sullair compressor units with a discharge pressure of 150 PSIG or less. The warranty covers all major components for new air compressors, including 10 years on the air end plus 5 years on the motor and other components such as the air/fluid receiver, oil cooler, and aftercooler. The extent of warranty coverage shows how confident Sullair is in the longevity of its products.
* Sullair’s ShopTek Series compressors are no longer eligible for the diamond warranty as of May of 2023, the emerald warranty comes as standard for this series.
How do I maintain this warranty?
Every warranty has terms and conditions to ensure that equipment is kept to standards before repairs, and Sullair’s Diamond & Emerald compressor warranties are no different. To be eligible for either, facilities will need to follow five guidelines, which are:
An authorized Sullair Distributor must do startup & serving and complete the warranty documentation.
All compressors built after January 1, 2014, must participate in Sullair’s oil sampling program. Participating facilities must take samples every 2000 hours (or twice per year, whichever occurs first). Missed intervals or two bad tests void the warranty.
Purchaser(s) must use genuine Sullube® lubricant.
Purchaser(s) must maintain the machine(s) at Sullair’s recommended intervals & requirements.
The compressor covered must use genuine Sullair parts.
Next Steps
Ready to protect your investment? Tell us about your equipmenthere, email us at sales@nwpump.com, or call 1-800-452-PUMP for next steps. Need help with oil sampling and maintenance? Email service@nwpump.com or call 1-866-577-2755 for more information.
Whether someone owns a car, rides the bus, or walks, asphalt contributes to mobility. However, before the roads or sidewalks get paved, a facility needs to have the right equipment- mainly the correct mixer to get the job done. Here is a quick guide on everything you need to know about asphalt manufacturing mixers.
How it works
Asphalt is made with a combination of leftover residue from oil refineries and gravel or aggregate. After the crude oil is distilled, the heaver residue becomes heating oil or asphalt. Because of environmental concerns, some asphalt production facilities only work on recycling old asphalt for new roads.
Mixers
Making sure that a mixer has the right qualities is top priority in this business. So, what are these ‘right qualities,’ and why do they matter? First and foremost, these mixers should be durable enough to last even while working with aggregates and high temperatures. Next, a mixer should be easy to maintain. It should go without saying that every second a mixer is not working is costly for the facility, so a mixer that prioritizes speedy and efficient repairs is critical for the long-term use of a mixer- let alone an asphalt manufacturing mixer.
Our Solution
For an asphalt manufacturing mixer, Northwest Pump recommends our line of Sharpe V-series mixers. Not only does Sharpe design these mixers with ease-of-maintenance in mind, but they also pride themselves on their durable machines. The V-Series comes with several shapes, sizes, and other options to maximize this mixer’s efficiency for the job at hand.
Additionally, if a facility needs an asphalt pump, Northwest Pump offers Blackmer’s V Series pump specifically designed for the challenges that asphalt production provides. The V Series deals with rapid temperature changes with an increased jacketed surface area, which means less likelihood of pump & seal failures.
Next Steps
Need an asphalt manufacturing mixer or other mixing solutions? Reach out by emailing us at sales@nwpump.com, or by calling us at 1-800-452-PUMP for more information.
Air compressors are an important piece of equipment for any facility that uses them. However, with the wrong approach, an air compressor can account for half of the cost of annual electricity. There are many different ways to prevent this kind of waste. One way is to consider oil free or an oil less compressor over oil-flooded. What will be better for your situation will vary on your circumstances. Here are five ways that an oil free compressor can be advantageous over an oil-flooded compressor.
Scot Pump focuses on end suction single-stage centrifugal pumps designed for several applications. The uses range from industrial plants, temperature controllers, truck-mounted, marine environments, and outdoor rooftops, to name just a few. This manufacturer uses various materials such as iron, bronze, aluminum, and stainless steel.
Weil specializes in centrifugal pumps. This brand offers submersible, grinder, sump, sewage, and dry well pumps, turbine condensate return pumps, booster systems, control panels, and other pumping accessory equipment.
The DSP series is oil-free, meaning that the oil does not encounter the air being compressed. In fact, the DSP series has ISO 8573-1 Class Zero air, which means that this air surpasses Class 1 qualifications- all without needing as much additional filtration equipment as oil flooded compressors. This eliminates the chance of oil damaging sensitive machinery through the air and makes the condensate byproduct safer for disposal. When air purity is critical, the DSP series is a great choice.
While the S-Energy compressor series is oil-flooded, meaning that oil mixes with compressed air and the condensate, there are ways to minimize harm to the environment and increase efficiency. Sullair S-energy compressors are engineered for reliability, durability, and performance. These units can help you optimize efficiency and are in for the long haul. They can last up to 100,000 working hours if you treat them right.
First, help separate harmful oil from condensate by using an oil/water separator. This keeps the condensate safe for drains, pipes, and accidental spills and allows for safer oil disposal.
, the start of a new season is the perfect time to refresh the oil on a compressor. Keep in mind, that some brands need specific lubricants. For example, Sullair compressors need genuine Sullube to keep within warranty. Additionally, why not conduct an oil sampling? This also protects the 
air inlet filter needs a replacement is by hovering your hand over the top of the compressor. If you feel a breeze, then your inlet filter is working just fine. If there is a weak breeze or none at all, it’s time for the filter to be cleaned or replaced. This check is especially helpful for compressors that are in environments with more dust or other particles in the air that can clog up filters.
In a similar vein, checking the room a compressor is in is also important. The three points to consider are: making sure that the air surrounding the air compressor (make-up air) is free of particles and other contaminants, making sure that make-up air is adequate, and making sure that the temperature in the room can withstand compressed air that is 15°F higher than the ambient temperature.
For facilities that do not want to spend the time to check the user manual for every pump and then lubricate every bearing, 
the Diamond Warranty*. It covers most Sullair compressor units with a discharge pressure of 150 PSIG or less. The warranty covers all major components for new air compressors, including 10 years on the air end plus 5 years on the motor and other components such as the air/fluid receiver, oil cooler, and aftercooler. The extent of warranty coverage shows how confident Sullair is in the longevity of its products.
