What is the working principle of a rotary screw compressor?
Here we will look a bit closer at twin screw air compressor technology. What is a screw compressor and what is its basic working principle?
Also referred to as a twin screw compressor, the screw element technology is one of the types of rotating displacement compressor, which were developed in the 1930s. The main characteristic is a male and a female rotor element, driven either by the male rotor or by a timing gear:
- In oil-injected screw compressor technology, the male rotor drives the female rotor
- In oil-free compressor technology, a timing gear drives both rotors for harmonic running, with minimum calculated clearance between both elements
The basic rotary compressor working principle is that the male and female rotors are spinning in opposite directions. This draws air in-between them. As air progresses along with the rotors, the decrease of space between the rotors and their housing leads to air compression.
