Blower vs Compressor Operating/Maintenance Costs

[karenc]

Has any one got data comparing maintenance costs between positive displacement blowers vs air compressor? - I need to compare lifecylce costs for two options. First option is using low pressure positive displacement blowers and the second options is using plant air and regulating down.

 

[Montemayor]

karenc:

I would never allow for an application comparison between an air blower and an air compressor. The two are totally different in process applications. Of course the air compressor can furnish the same air at the conditions of the blower - but not vice-versa.

You don't have to make an economic evaluation on maintenance. The air compressor, when compared to the pressure level of a blower, will always put out more expensive air. It's no contest. However, if your air requirements are for 25 psig and up, then the blower can't compete with the air compressor.

Why are you comparing two totally different type of machines that are designed and fabricated for different applications? This is not a criticism; I'm curious and perhaps there is an explanation or another side to the story.

Art Montemayor
Spring, TX

 

[karenc]

Montemayor:

Yes I know its very strange this to do but there is an explanation. The client is wanting to use high pressure plant air for the low pressure application with our equipment which causes all sorts of problems as we then need dryers, filter and high pressure piping. Anyway the power consumption alone will kill it but I was hoping to also present the comparison in maintenance costs.

Karen

 

[crjones]

A PD Blower is generally a dry unit. Generally the only maintenance is making sure that the belts are tight and there is oil in the end covers. A compressor if flooded you have the system filter costs plus larger amounts of oil to be replaced annually. A dry screw there is the added expense of shell cooling the air end. If the compressor is a recip you need to factor in annual inlet and discharge valve rebuilding.