Scroll vs Screw Compressors: How Are The Two Different?
Deciding which type of air compressor to install can be daunting for engineers, technical experts, and project installation executives.
There are two fundamental types of air compressors: Positive displacement and dynamic. The most popular of these are rotary screws, reciprocating air, axial, centrifugal and scroll compressors, and each has advantages and disadvantages.
Also, several factors are involved in purchasing air compressors, such as facility requirements, location, pressure dew point, and power costs, so you need to do your homework correctly before installing an air compressor in your facility.
This blog will focus on scroll vs screw compressors. We will dig deep into the difference between scroll and rotary compressors and their pros and cons. We will also find the suitable industries for each to help put ‘the never-ending debate on which air compressor is the most ideal for my facility’ to rest.
So, without any further ado, let’s get started!
Scroll Compressor: Pros and Cons
PROS
If you're looking for a compressor that's not just quiet—but ultra-quiet, scroll compressors are your best option.
Scroll compressors are perfect for indoor settings. They offer noise levels as low as 48 dBA. To give you a better picture, libraries produce noise of around 40 decibels. This denotes that scroll compressors are ultra-quiet!
The compact design of scroll compressors minimizes and, therefore, saves floor space which can be used for other purposes. Several businesses keep their scroll compressors in the closet, so you don’t have to create a dedicated room to keep your air compressor.
The technology used within scroll compressors makes them energy efficient. The system shuts down compressor pumps that are not required and automatically adjusts pressure settings. This saves several watts of electricity by not producing unwanted air and increases the life of the machine.
CONS
The biggest drawback of the scroll compressor is that it is not easily repairable. This is because of two reasons. One, the round, complex design makes it difficult to inspect and clean, and two, one of the inter-fitting scrolls is fixed and it can’t be dismantled.
The manufacturing of scroll compressors involves high-end machinery and precise centering assembly technology which pushes up the manufacturing cost and, consequently, the price. And that’s another disadvantage of the scroll compressors.
In a scroll compressor, a certain gap is deliberately kept between the moving and the non-moving components to achieve sealing. This leads to a gas leakage which restricts the scroll compressor to achieve a larger compression ratio, contributes to unnecessary power consumption, and also adversely impacts the air compressor system in the long run.
Even though scroll compressors manage liquid better compared to other air compressor systems, it still needs additional accessories such as crankcase heaters and suction line accumulators for added protection which adds up to the purchasing cost.
Screw Compressor: Pros & Cons
PROS
Rotary screw compressors, or screw compressors, support extreme high and low weather conditions. It even functions where other chemicals are prohibited to avoid hazardous situations.
Unlike other compressors, rotary screw compressors comprise 70% fewer components, making the maintenance procedure easier and consequently reducing maintenance costs.
Despite massive airflow, rotary screw compressors produce less noise. Thanks to the noise-dampening technologies embedded in them, which ensures a quiet work environment.
Compared to other compressors, rotary screw compressors produce less heat, contributing to the system’s longevity. They also utilize less oil which means there is sufficient oil for the compression chamber to cool the machine, lubricate the moving parts, sealing and noise dissipation.
CONS
One of the most significant disadvantages of rotary screw air compressors is their hefty price which is why most businesses go with other alternatives. Even though the high cost justifies the efficiency and long lifespan, several companies fail to arrange the funds, especially during the initial stage.
Unlike other air compressors, rotary screw compressor maintenance can’t be done by regular technicians. It requires a higher level of skill and understanding to do the maintenance and servicing of rotary screw compressors as it involves complex systems and components.
Scroll vs. Screw Compressors: Which to Choose for My Application?
Now that we have understood the difference between scroll and rotary compressors, it’s time to find out which ones work best for what industries.
Screw compressors are highly recommended for heavy-duty industrial applications in the manufacturing sector. A few classic examples of industries leveraging screw compressors are automotive, brewing, food packaging, aerospace, construction, and more.
In these industries, compressor systems are required to run continuously for several hours, which is why the screw compressor is the perfect fit, as it tends to support continuous usage without getting overheated.
On the contrary, a scroll compressor is an ideal choice for indoor settings where loud noise is a problem. Take medical facilities and laboratories, for instance. In such places, scroll compressors work best due to their quieter nature. Scroll compressors are also preferred in residential air-conditioning systems besides medical HVAC systems.
Is a Scroll Compressor The Same As a Screw Compressor?
No, they are not the same.
There’s a lot of difference between rotary and screw compressors. While the scroll compressor works with two inter-fitting scrolls in which one scroll is fixed and the other moves, the screw compressor involves rotary movement using male and female motors.
Buy The Best Scroll and Screw Compressors At Atlas Copco
At Atlas Copco, we provide a comprehensive range of scroll and screw compressors that will decrease operational costs and increase uptime!
If you still have difficulty deciding which air compressor will work best for your facility, feel free to contact us.
We’re leading suppliers and manufacturers of air compressors in UAE and our dedicated team of experts goes above and beyond to help you decide the best air compressor based on your requirements.