Winter Maintenance Tips for Screw Air Compressors

As temperatures plummet during the winter season, air compressor room managers in northern regions are faced with several challenges. Machines may fail to start up properly, pipelines may freeze, and this can lead to losses such as production shutdowns.

In sub-zero temperature environments, it's critical to take extra care when using air compressors. If the air compressor room is not heated and the machine shuts down, the lubricating oil can become viscous and ineffective, leading to a sudden drop in temperature. Upon restarting the machine, the lubricating oil may not flow into the entire oil circuit in time, causing the machine head to rapidly overheat and seize up. Moreover, compressed air may contain condensed water, which may not evaporate easily in low temperatures, resulting in a large amount of water remaining inside the air compressor. When the machine stops, the temperature drops sharply, causing the machine's interior to freeze, leading to cracks in pipes, valves, coolers, and other components.

To ensure the proper operation of air compressors during winter, here are some tips to keep in mind:

Check the oil level and make sure all condensate drain valves are closed. For water-cooled units, also check that the cooling water discharge valve is closed.

Manually rotate the main unit coupling by hand to ensure that it's flexible. For units that are difficult to rotate, do not start the machine blindly. Instead, check whether the main unit is faulty or if the lubricating oil has become viscous and ineffective. Only after troubleshooting should the machine be started.

For air compressors that have been shut down for a long time, replace the old oil filter before starting up for the first time. This can help reduce resistance and insufficient oil supply caused by viscous oil.

Give the unit a "dry run" first when powering up and starting the machine for the first time. After the machine has started up, check the current and oil temperature changes. If there is a sudden change in temperature, stop the machine immediately. For units that use heat recovery, close the bypass valve on the oil line of the heat recovery system before starting up and only open it slowly after the unit's temperature has risen to the normal range.

Do not repeatedly restart the machine if there is a sudden change in temperature or if the machine head overheats and shuts down. Instead, open the intake valve, add an appropriate amount of lubricating oil to the main unit, manually rotate the main unit, and then restart the machine.

In addition to these tips, it's also essential to drain accumulated water in the air storage tank and pipeline before leaving work. This can prevent valves and pipelines from freezing and causing unnecessary losses.

By following these winter maintenance tips, you can ensure the proper operation of your air compressors, prevent damage caused by low temperatures, and avoid production shutdowns.