The Ultimate Guide to Choosing scroll air compressor manufacturers

Although the idea for a scroll compressor has been around for over 100 years, the technology is only about 50 years old. As the industry continues to advance, so does the need for reliable, clean, and oil-free compressed air. Scroll compressors are ideal in commercial applications that include: medical, pharmaceutical, food, laboratory, textile, electronics, and production facilities.

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Anywhere quiet, clean air is required, a heavy-duty scroll compressor is the only way to go. They come in a wide variety of sizes, up to 40 HP, and can produce as much as 116 CFM! Scroll compressors utilize a very innovative (spiral) design that compresses air quietly with fewer moving parts and less required maintenance. 

How Does a Scroll Compressor Work?

Scroll air compressors use two spiral-shaped scroll pieces to compress air. One scroll is stationary, meaning it's fixed in place and doesn't move, and the other fits inside the stationary scroll and is moved in a tight circular motion without rotating. The moving scroll presses against the inside of the stationary scroll in such a way that, as it moves in a circular motion, it pushes and traps air into small pockets between the two.

The pockets of air continue being moved through the spiral toward the center. As the air moves further toward the center of the spirals, the air pockets become smaller, and the air in those pockets gets compressed.

Once the compressed air pockets reach the center, they're released into a discharge pipe to be used, or they're released into an air treatment system. An air treatment system is not included with the scroll compressor, as it's typically custom-created with the necessary components to serve the user's desired purpose.

The air treatment system utilizes air delivery piping to deliver the compressed air from the compressor, through a series of filters and dryers, into a receiver tank where the air can be held until it's used. However, some applications that make constant use of the compressed air to run assembly-line machinery may not require a tank. 

Key Benefits of Scroll Compressors

1. 100% Oil-Free Air

A major key benefit of scroll compressors is that they're 100% oil-free. For tasks or work environments that require 100% oil-free compressed air, scroll compressors can offer that. The two spirals found in scroll compressors that compress the air don't touch, meaning there's no need to use any oil for lubrication. But this doesn't just mean oil-free air, it also means there are no oil changes.

2. Very Low Maintenance

That leads to the next major benefit of scroll compressors'they're very low maintenance. Because there's no oil to change, and there are no spark plugs to worry about, the only real maintenance these machines require is a filter change. This not only saves you time, but it also saves you money. You don't have to worry about changing out oil filters, and you won't experience the costly pressure drop across oil filters.

3. Incredibly Energy Efficient

And speaking of saving money, scroll air compressors are incredibly energy efficient. In addition to the innovative scroll technology and lack of oil filters previously mentioned, these machines are also available with an optional built-in dryer that significantly reduces downstream pressure drop.

And if you're using your scroll air compressor for heavy-duty applications, there's an optional air-cooled IP55 class F motor designed specifically for the tough jobs. Furthermore, they're typically designed for easy serviceability, saving your more time and labor costs. So even if you weren't in need of an oil-free air compressor, the efficiency alone may be worth opting for a scroll compressor.

4. Extremely Quiet

Last, but not least, it's important to point out that these machines are extremely quiet during operation. The fact that there's no friction between the parts reduces noise significantly, as does the fact that there are no reciprocating pistons - keeping motion more smooth and balanced to reduce vibration. 

Choosing the Right Scroll Compressor

When choosing a scroll compressor, first determine which type of electrical service you have, either single or 3-phase power. Single-phase is the standard type of service, while 3-phase power is a special commercial power service. If you have access to 3-phase power, you can benefit greatly from the high-efficiency premium motors that are available in those models.

Next, consider the varying specs. How much pressure do you need? Scroll compressors generally come in 116 PSI or 145 PSI, and both single-phase models and three-phase models come available in either one. Cubic feet per minute (CFM) is another spec you should consider when selecting a scroll compressor.

CFM is the amount of high-pressure air being released per minute. This is how much work your compressor can do per minute given a set PSI. So, a 116 PSI unit that puts out 55.1 CFM will be capable of completing tasks faster than a 116 PSI unit that puts out 8.9 CFM. Don't forget the optional built-in dryer for reducing pressure drop.

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If you'll be using your new scroll air compressor for heavy-duty operation, you can also consider the optional air-cooled IP55 class F motor, which is totally enclosed and highly efficient.

To understand the different types and technologies of compressors, we first need to understand the two basic principles of compressing air. These are dynamic and displacement compression. In this article, we talk about the scroll compressor. This is a type of displacement compressor with wide applications in air-conditioning and refrigeration systems, heat pumps, and cars. 

Scroll compressors consist of two spiral-shaped scroll elements that are bolted together: a stationary scroll and an orbiting scroll driven by a motor. The process of compressing air in a scroll compressor involves several steps:

1. Oscillation: The scrolls oscillate in a continuous motion without metal-to-metal contact, compressing air in crescent-shaped pockets.
2. Orbiting Scroll Motion: The orbiting scroll, driven by a short-stroke crankshaft, moves eccentrically around the fixed scroll, creating suction that draws air in from the inlet at the top of the housing.
3. Compression: Air captured in pockets between the scrolls is gradually compressed as it moves toward the center.
4. Discharge: Compressed air is discharged from the outlet port at the center, where a non-return valve prevents backflow.
5. Stability: The 180° phase displacement provides radial stability, and the internal compression minimizes leakage due to lower pressure differences between air pockets.

By following these steps, scroll compressors achieve efficient and reliable air compression.

When most people think of air compressors, they probably imagine a bulky and loud machine. Scroll compressors are pretty much the opposite of that. They are oil-free, compact and relatively silent compared to other types of compressors.

Thanks to the simple design of the scroll compressor with only one moving part, this type of compressor is highly reliable and quieter compared to the piston and rotary screw compressor. This makes them perfect for sensitive working environments, like a dentist's office. Another advantage of scroll compressors is energy efficiency. 

Similar to internal compression in a screw compressor, the amount of internal compression is determined by the discharge port. Due to the unique design of the discharge port, the scroll air compressor can compress more air or gas while using minimal power.

Compared to other compressors, these machines attain the highest efficiency level by volume. This is because there are no pistons to compress the gas.

The noise emission of a scroll air compressor is significantly lower than other compressors. The complete compression cycle takes 2.5 turns, including the suction, compression, and discharge revolution phases. These occur simultaneously while providing a constant flow of pulsation-free air.

The scroll air compressor offers smooth and vibration-free operations thanks to its scroll element. It hardly has any torque variation compared to a piston compressor. The simple design of the scroll air compressor contains only one moving part. This makes it highly reliable and quieter than equivalent piston and rotary screw compressors.

Scroll compressors are widely used in various industrial applications due to their efficiency and reliability. They meet the basic requirements of a general-purpose compressor and are commonly used in the food, refrigeration, air-conditioning, and transportation industries. For larger volume demands, oil-injected screw compressors may be more efficient.

There is an abundance of applications for quiet and energy-efficient compressors that produce absolutely clean air. Take the SF scroll compressor series from Atlas Copco, which has been a leader in this field for more than 60 years. Its unique characteristics make it ideal for many manufacturing processes for which clean, oil-free compressed air is a prerequisite. That is why the SF is the preferred choice for sensitive indoor environments, like hospitals but also labs, breweries, bakeries, dairy farms, electronics manufacturing, and even lens production.

The SF series features a capacity range of 1.9 to 7.6 l/s (4.03 to 16.10 cfm), a maximum working pressure of 10 bar (145 psi), and a dew point performance as low as 2°C/36°F. Its air-cooled scroll element ensures efficiency, reliability, and durability, while the premium efficiency IE3 class motor lowers energy consumption. Most importantly, the SF series produces absolutely clean air.

We hope this guide provides a good overview of whether or not a scroll compressor makes sense for your needs. If you'd like more information, feel free to get in touch. Our team is happy to point you in the right direction.

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