Rotary Screw vs. Piston Compressor: Choosing the Right Technology
Maximize your productivity and realize significant energy savings by choosing the right air compressor for your application. While piston units offer a lower initial cost, rotary screw compressors are likely the better technology for manufacturing and industrial operations. As your compressed air partner, the experts at JHFOSTER can help ensure your selection will perform reliably and efficiently in your application.
Understanding the Mechanism and Operation
Rotary screw and piston compressors operate via different mechanisms, which impacts performance.
Piston Compressor Working Principle
Mechanism: Uses a piston that moves up and down within a cylinder to compress air.
Duty Cycle: Most are designed for intermittent use (for example, a 50% or 70% duty cycle). This is because piston compressors require a rest period to prevent overheating and premature wear.
Rotary Screw Compressor Working Principle
Mechanism: Uses two helical, intermeshing rotors to continuously trap and compress air.
Duty Cycle: Provides 100% continuous duty operation, meaning it does not require a cool down period. Rotary screw compressors are designed to operate reliably under continuous operation.
Head-to-Head Comparison: Which Compressor is Better for Business?
Which compressor is right for your operation is dependent upon the application. Comparing the performance metrics of the two technologies can help guide your selection to the compressor type that best meets your requirements with efficiency and reliability.
| Performance Metric | Rotary Screw Compressor | Piston Compressor |
| Continuous Operation | Screw compressors can reliably run at a 100% duty cycle to provide continuous, 24/7 operation. | Most piston compressors suffer wear and tear and fail prematurely when operated continuously. |
| Efficiency | Rotary screw compressors with VSD technology are typically the most efficient choice for industrial applications. | Piston compressors are efficient, but have size and duty cycle limitations. |
| Noise level | The continuous rotation in modern rotary screw compressors minimizes vibration and standard enclosures reduce noise, providing quieter operation. | The motion of the pistons creates significant noise and vibration, so unenclosed piston compressors are louder in operation. |
| Lifespan and Maintenance | Rotary screw compressors offer high levels of reliability and a long lifespan in continuous duty applications when properly maintained. | Piston compressors are easy to maintain, and offer high levels of reliability and a long lifespan, as long as they are applied properly. |
Because they offer continuous duty cycles, high levels of reliability and greater efficiency in heavy-duty applications, rotary screw compressors are the optimal choice for industrial operations.
Aligning Compressor Choice with the JHFOSTER Standard
As a general rule of thumb, piston compressors are recommended for applications with very low or occasional air demand, such as hobbyists or very small shops.
If your air demand is consistent and essential to productivity or runs more than 50% of the time, rotary screw compressors are usually the recommended technology.
JHFOSTER has been in business for over 80 years and one of our specialties is compressed air systems. This focus means we have deep expertise in sizing, integration and support to ensure maximum performance of your compressed air system.
Your Compressed Air Partner
We provide the necessary expertise to evaluate your demand and ensure you invest in the right technology. Don’t let the lower sticker price of a piston compressor compromise your long-term productivity. Contact the pros at JHFOSTER today to speak with a compressed air expert about upgrading to a rotary screw compressor. Our experts can conduct a compressed air audit of your industrial application to quantify current air needs and determine the best compressor type and size for your business.
