What is a screw air compressor?

A screw air compressor is very similar to a human heart. While a human heart has tricuspid, pulmonary, mitral, and aortic valves, a screw air compressor has four critical valves namely air inlet, minimum pressure, blow down, and safety valves.

How does a screw compressor work?

A screw compressor can run loaded ('pumping air') or unloaded ('idle'). The inlet/loading valve opens and closes according to air demand. The inlet valve is controlled by a solenoid valve that supplies control air to the inlet/loading valve. Check solenoid valve coil and solenoid valve operation.

How does a compressor inlet valve work?

This involves an inlet device typically a throttle valve which regulates the flow of air entering the compressor linked to system pressure. If the pressure increases the valve closes partially sending less air into the compression chamber thereby reducing the compressor output and maintaining the pressure within the allocated pressure band.

How does a pressure regulator work?

Load/unload is also the most common pressure regulation method. Instead of turning off the motor when the demand for air is reached, the motor will still run, but the inlet valve will close, which recirculates air inside the compressor and prevents compressed air from blowing out of the inlet.

How many valves does a screw air compressor have?

While a human heart has tricuspid, pulmonary, mitral, and aortic valves, a screw air compressor has four critical valves namely air inlet, minimum pressure, blow down, and safety valves. Air inlet valve is also commonly known as the ‘Intake valve’ which is typically assembled on the airend’s intake.

How does a compressor control system work?

This is usually performed using regulation equipment that is integrated in the compressor. There are three main groups of regulation systems: 1. Modulating control system This involves an inlet device typically a throttle valve which regulates the flow of air entering the compressor linked to system pressure.