When you are in the market for ISO 8573-1 Class Zero air quality it is important to understand the difference between an “oil-free” air compressor and an “oil-less” air compressor. This is especially critical in the 30HP and under compressor market. “Oil-less” and “oil-free” are not interchangeable terms. The primary differentiator is the presence of oil in the machine and the impact that it has on air quality over time. Here is what you need to know to make the best decision regarding how to achieve your ISO 8573-1 Class Zero compressed air quality.
Rotary Screw Oil-Free Compressors – Almost without exception, an oil-free rotary screw compressor does indeed have oil in it. The oil is sealed in the gear box to provide lubrication to the gears and bearings, but is sealed from the air chamber in order to prevent it from getting into the compressed air stream. As the units age, the seals do harden and wear out due to heat and shelf life. Therefore, as they age, oil will migrate into the air stream and negatively impact air quality. As this happens, air end “slippage” increases and inter-stage temperatures will creep up. Most people do not discover that their air quality has been compromised until the compressor reaches cessation on a high inter-stage temperature shutdown. By then, many pints, quarts or even gallons of oil may have migrated into the process air and piping. Also, most oil free screw compressors (with the exception of the Sullair DSP) have a vented gear box that exasperates oil laden vent air into the compressor, right near the intake filter. The vent on the gearbox adds oil vapors, which are almost immediately sucked back into the air filter and introduced to the air stream. So they are “oil-free” because they do not have oil in the air stream by design. But they are not truly an oil less solution. Mitigation of air contamination, oil maintenance and disposal, and oil leakage containment all must still be considered when applying an oil free rotary screw compressor technology.
Reciprocating Oil-Free Compressors
Reciprocating compressor designs are sold in either oil less or oil free up to about 50HP. They can also be configured into duplex, triplex or quadraplex packages to get up to cover air demands up to about 450 CFM. “Oil-free” compressors in the reciprocating market, like the screw market, do actually have oil in them. They use an extended connecting rod in an extra-tall block known as a “distance piece”. This configuration lengthens the distance between the oil sump and the compression chamber. They usually include extra oil rings as well to help prevent the oil in the crank case from migrating into the air stream. However, over time; oil and compression rings wear out in a reciprocating compressor just like they do in a car engine. So over time, oil will begin to migrate past the rings and into the compression chamber and eventually into the air stream. Most oil free compressor users do not discover their oil contamination problem until they notice a drop in system air pressure related to worn out rings. So once again, the oil free technology still comes at the cost of air and piping contamination, oil maintenance and disposal, and oil leak containment.
Oil-less Reciprocating Compressors
The true oil-less reciprocating compressors, like our Champion V & W, or the MTO II series air compressors have no oil in the crank case at all. They are a 100% true oil-less design and come in simplex, duplex, triplex or quadraplex packages including NFPA 99 compliant packages for hospital grade air. This technology is far more costly, but it provides the true outcome that the customer is aiming for: ISO 8753 Class 0 air quality, and reduced maintenance associated with lubrication systems.
Oil-Free Scroll Compressors
Scroll compressors, like our Sullair model SRL, should really be called oil-less to distinguish them from the oil-free style compressors mentioned above. Like the oil-less reciprocating, the oil less scroll compressors contain no oil at all. They are built on a platform of low maintenance intervals, and guaranteed air quality for life.
If a customer has a critical need for truly Class 0, oil free air quality, they should strongly consider using either an oil less technology like the Sullair SRL scroll package or Champion V & W series. These technologies are admittedly limited to the 100HP and below Class 0 oil free market place. So in the event that an “oil free” solution like the Sullair DSP must be used, or is already in place; customers should consider installing early detection of oil content to prevent piping and process contamination. Air quality monitoring systems like our Beko Metpoint OCV will ensure that they maintain air quality that is in compliance with ISO 8573 for oil free quality air.
Looking to switch over to oil-free or oil-less air compressors? Northwest Pump sells air compressors in the Seattle and Washington regions, Oregon, Idaho and Montana. Reach out to Northwest Pump today –sales@nwpump.com or call 1-800-452-PUMP.
This new acquisition of Air Compressor Service (ACS) expands our Industrial portfolio and assists in our growth in the Seattle area.
Northwest Pump has purchased the Assets of D.R. Smith Co., Inc. dba Air Compressor Service of Everett, WA, right outside of Seattle, effective May 1st, 2021. Founded in 1990 by Dave and Rick Smith, Air Compressor Service (ACS) is a sales and service company of Air Compressors and related equipment.
When looking at an acquisition in addition to being profitable we try to find companies that have a similar commitment to customer service and a culture that will fit into our employee-owned company. ACS fits on all three levels. After going through the process and interviewing all the employees we have decided to add on their whole team, giving us 3 new Service Technicians, 1 Service Coordinator and 3 Sales members to add to our Industrial Division and continue our goal of expanding to new markets and locations.
We will be adding the current ACS location as our 18th location. The new branch is located at 1420 80th St SW STE E, Everett, WA 98203. Phone number is 425-290-1888. Unlike most equipment distributors, ASC’s objective is not to sell as much equipment as they can. Their philosophy is to partner with ourcustomers to help salvage net profit. In the long run, helping you to succeed in your business will help us succeed also.
ACS looks for long-term relationships with customers built on a foundation of earned trust, respect for our expertise, quality service and exceptionally well-designed and manufactured Gardner Denver products. ACS insures your compressed air system operates at its optimum efficiency and provides you favorable life cycle cost.
For more information on Air Compressor Service, and what we offer in and around the Seattle area, please reach out to sales@nwpump.com and we can assist in all your air compressor needs.
As of April 16 2021, Northwest Pump became an official distributor for A.W. Chesterton Company. Northwest Pump will now supply Washington, Oregon, Alaska, Montana and Idaho* with Chesterton’s sealing solutions, ARC Industrial Coatings, Industrial lubricants/MRO products, and IIoT products. A.W. Chesterton is a world leader in helping industrial companies and manufactures improve the reliability and efficiency of their rotating, stationary, and fluid power equipment platforms.
Chesterton’s portfolio includes:
Mechanical Seals for pumps, agitators, mixers and other rotating equipment.
Polymer Seals for hydraulic and pneumatic actuated cylinders and presses.
IIoT Products – Smart Sensor solutions for remote equipment and process monitoring/data collection (pressure, temperature and vibration) to improve operations for equipment such as pumps, agitators, mixers gear boxes and fans.
*Covered counties include Boundary, Bonner, Kootenai, Benewah, Shoshone, Latah, Clearwater, Nez Pierce, Lewis & Idaho
Worldwide Service to All Major Industries:
Chemical Processing
Commercial Water
Food & Beverage
Manufacturing
Marine
Mineral/Ore Processing
Mining
Oil & Gas
OEM, Engineers, and Contractors
Pharmaceutical
Power – Fossil
Power – Hydroelectric
Power – Nuclear
Pulp & Paper
Steel
Wastewater Treatment
Wood-Based Panel Industry
Contact our sales staff at sales@nwpump.com or call 1-800-452-PUMP to learn more about A.W. Chesterton and their sealing solutions and lubricants for your industries applications!
Like any chain, the beer supply chain relies on each link. Given the world’s current predicament with COVID-19, CO2 is suddenly an issue. Supplies are lower than normal, prices are creeping up, and quality is a concern. According to the Brewers Association, the trade organization representing America’s small and independent brewers, CO2 suppliers have increased prices by about 25% due to reduced supply. Because of the shortage of CO2, more breweries are turning to Nitrogen for many of their processes.
From purging tanks between uses to keeping wort, beer and residual mash from oxidizing and contaminating the next batch of beer, nitrogen is the ideal gas for breweries. Nitrogen can also be used to push beer from one tank to the other, and in the final stages of the brewing process, it’s used to pressurize kegs prior to shipment and final use. If the quality of the product is to be ensured, then it needs to be constantly protected.
N2 for Brew – On-Site Nitrogen Gas Generation for the Brewing Industry
On-site nitrogen gas generation produces a continuous supply of ultrapure, food grade nitrogen from readily available compressed air. When the true costs are accounted for, on-site gas generation is the most economical source of nitrogen. Subsequently, nitrogen gas generators give brewers control over their gas pressure, purity and flowrate and minimize production downtime due to the permanent availability of an on-demand nitrogen supply. So what type of nitrogen generator should you select?
The nitrogen gas generator technology of choice for breweries use a method called pressure swing adsorption (PSA). This technology uses 2 vessels (or 2 sets of vessels) filled with carbon molecular sieve (CMS) to separate compressed air. Oxygen and other waste gases are selectively adsorbed under pressure by the CMS, allowing nitrogen to pass through to the application.
Parker domnick hunter offers different types of Nitrosource generators, but for brewery applications it is usually their standard Nitrosource Nitrogen Generator. The larger models of those generators, like the N2-65 to N2-80 range, are the best switch from CO2. With a complete N2 system using Sullair compressors and Parker Nitrogen generation system reduces particulates (atmospheric dust, rust and pipe scale), microorganisms, oil and water aerosols and water vapor. These particular generators are modular so customers can size for current use but that it is easy to expand as they grow, so there is no need to oversize upfront. Together with substantially lower servicing costs, reduced downtime and a longer working life, it adds up to the most cost-efficient nitrogen supply available.
With over 30 years of experience in the market, and over 50,000 gas generators installed globally, Parker domnick hunter is the first choice for innovative and reliable gas generation technology.
Contact our sales staff at sales@nwpump.com or call 1-800-452-PUMP to learn how we can lower your costs with Parker domnick hunter’s on-site nitrogen gas systems today!
Northwest Pump has been a supplier in Washington, Oregon and Alaska for Metso Outotec’s Slurry Pumps, Cyclone Separation, Slurry Valves & Slurry Piping and Hose Systems for nearly 20 years. Now we are prepared to supply Montana. Metso Outotec’s pumps are a frontrunner in sustainable technologies, end-to-end solutions and services for the minerals processing, aggregates and metals refining industries globally. Northwest Pump is excited to expand our Metso-Outotec’s slurry pumps along the Western Plains.
Metso Outotec’s Orion Series horizontal slurry pumps are a great example that represent the company’s commitment to producing heavy and powerful centrifugal pumps. Orion Series horizontal slurry pumps are robust pumping equipment designed for abrasive slurries. Made for the most arduous industrial slurry pumping applications. The horizontal slurry pumps consists of hard metal lined (HM) and rubber lined (HM) pumps.
Featured Highlights:
– Heavy duty grease lubricated bearings in a sealed cartridge. (Double arrangements available)Double sealed w/ V-ring protected lip seal to ensure reliable operation
– -High power transmission design w/ reduced impeller overhang
– Closing front impeller running clearances (optional double adjustment frame)
– Centrifugal seal arrangement
– Even wear design
– Radial or Partial Mixed flow main vanes
– ANSI/ Metric flanges as required for optional flange configurations (on all HM Pumps)
– Front and back expeller vanes
– Wear Resistant castings
The Orion Series horizontal slurry pumps rank #1 in low total cost, low power consumption, long wear life and reliability in operation.
Reach out to our sales team through sales@nwpump.com or call 1-800-452-PUMP for more information.
Northwest Pump has been a primary distributor for Oberdorfer on the West Coast, and has recently taken on MP Pumps. Gardner Denver is the parent company to both brands and offers a variety of pumps for applications such as agriculture, general industry and Marine. MP Pumps and Oberdorfer by Gardner Denver have been supplying a range of high-quality pumps along with in-depth industry knowledge to customers around the world for years, proving their role as a leader in centrifugal pumps. Learn more on how their pumps can meet your industrial needs.
Oberdorfer and MP Pumps have been committed to designing and developing innovative products to meet the fluid handling requirements of both current and emerging markets. No industry has benefited more from these brands than the Marine Industry. Marine pumps from MP and Oberdorfer centrifugal pumps are ideal in a wide array of Marine applications such a bilge pumping, air conditioning, seawater recirculation, oil change, fuel transfer and more. Many leading marine manufacturers and boat operators have come to rely on MP & Oberdorfer for fuel transfer and conditioning , ballast trimming and oil transfer.
By popular choice, the Flomax series from MP Pumps are commonly used in Marine Applications and are their signature product line. Flomax pumps flows between 100-750 GPM and pressures between 100-230 feet of head. Self-priming and straight centrifugal MP Flomax models come in cast iron, stainless, bronze and aluminum. Options include engine drives, pedestal models and hydraulic drives, and clutch packs.
Northwest Pump carries a complete line of MP Flomax pumps, accessories, repair and replacement parts. For more information about MP Pumps and Oberdorfer by Gardner Denver, please reach out to sales@nwpump.com or call 1-800-452-PUMP.
You can also find Northwest Pump on ShipServ for all you Marine application needs.
