Mythbusters – The truth about vane compressors

20 February, 2019

That being said, Mattei would always recommend taking a preventative approach to compressor maintenance – whether that be screw or vane technology – to keep a unit working at its optimum level and to preserve user safety.

Efficiency

It’s no secret that vane compressors are more efficient than their screw equivalents. And, whilst it is fair to say that efficiency levels vary between models, screw technology cannot reasonably compete with the efficiency levels of vane compressors.

There are a number of reasons for this, but it essentially comes down to changes in efficiency over the lifespan of a compressor. Screw compressors utilise roller and thrust bearings, and these experience wear from the very beginning of operation, meaning that efficiency is gradually declining from the moment the unit becomes active.

Conversely, the engineering principles of a rotary vane compressor mean that the efficiency of the unit can actually improve for the first thousand hours or so and then stays constant throughout the rest of its operating life, providing much greater, and more consistent levels of efficiency.

When choosing a compressor, it’s well worth doing as much research as possible in order to avoid falling victim to misinformation and misconceptions. By reading up on the facts behind vane versus screw technology, buyers can ensure they make a selection which can save money and optimise efficiency across the lifetime of the compressor.

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