When compressed air does not just power a tool but comes into direct contact with a medium, the requirements change fundamentally. This is the case in water treatment: if air is used to keep water in motion, it enters the application directly. It is then essential that no oil is carried over from the compression process.
A water treatment company in Lombardy uses a compact, oil-free scroll compressor for this purpose – the SCROLLI 3. The task: to move standing water in a basin to counteract conditions that can favour deposits or biological growth.
Key points at a glance
- Customer: a water treatment company in Lombardy (Italy).
- Solution: an SCC SCROLLI 3 – oil-free scroll compressor (3.7 kW) for 8 bar.
- Application: moving standing water in a water treatment basin.
- Key point: oil-free compression reduces the risk of oil from the process entering the application.
Initial Situation
In water treatment, standing water can become problematic. If the water does not move for a long time, conditions that favour deposits or biological growth arise more easily. A common measure is to keep the water in motion using injected compressed air.
However, this means the compressed air comes into direct contact with the water. An oil-injected compressor would be unfavourable here, as oil components from the compression process could get into the air and thus into the application. An oil-free solution in a compact size was therefore sought, suitable for a clearly defined task.
Technical solution
The SCROLLI 3 is used, an oil-free scroll compressor with 3.7 kW for an operating pressure of 8 bar. The SCROLLI series delivers compressed air according to ISO 8573-1 Class 0 and is therefore designed for applications where oil-free compressed air is required. Scroll technology operates with low vibration and is comparatively quiet; the design is compact and space-saving.
The compact size is appropriate for this application: it is not about large volumes of air for an entire production facility, but about a specialised task. A small, oil-free compressor is a better fit than an oversized machine – a principle also seen in other oil-free SCROLLI projects.
Process application: compressed air in water treatment
Oil-free compression reduces the risk of oil from the compression process entering the application. The compressor performs a clearly defined task within the water treatment process: it provides the compressed air used to move the water in the basin. The remaining water quality depends on the overall treatment process.
The movement of the water is intended to reduce stagnant areas and counteract conditions that can favour deposits or biological growth. The compressor’s contribution therefore lies in the circulation of the water – not in chemical treatment.
Result and operational benefits
In this case, the benefits can be precisely described:
- Compact, oil-free compressed air generation suitable for a specialised task.
- Reduced risk of oil carry-over from the compression process into the water-bearing application.
- Movement of standing water to reduce stagnant areas and conditions favouring deposits or growth.
- Compressed air quality according to ISO 8573-1 Class 0 as per the series description.
Three tips for sensitive process applications
- Contact determines the technology. As soon as compressed air comes into direct contact with a medium, oil-free generation becomes the priority. It reduces the risk of oil from the compression entering the process.
- The size should fit the task. For a clearly defined task, a small, oil-free compressor is often a more suitable choice than a large universal machine. The correct size is determined by the actual requirement.
- Define the benefits precisely. A compressor delivers oil-free compressed air and performs a defined sub-task. It does not replace a complete treatment process – this distinction helps with realistic expectations and correct design.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is oil-free compressed air important in water treatment?
When compressed air comes into direct contact with water, no oil from the compression process should enter the application. Oil-free compression reduces this risk. This alone does not indicate anything about the remaining water quality, which depends on the entire treatment process.
What task does the SCROLLI 3 perform within water treatment?
The SCROLLI 3 provides oil-free compressed air used to move standing water in the basin. This movement is intended to reduce stagnant areas and counteract conditions that can favour deposits or biological growth. It is a clearly defined sub-task in the overall process.
Why a small compressor instead of a large machine?
The task is clearly defined and does not require large volumes of air. A compact, oil-free compressor is therefore a better fit for this application than an oversized machine. The appropriate size is determined by the actual requirement.
Is a scroll compressor also suitable for other sensitive applications?
Yes. Oil-free scroll compressors are suitable wherever clean compressed air without oil content is required, such as in sensitive processes in the food, pharmaceutical or electronics industries. The specific design depends on needs and requirements.
Find an oil-free solution for your application
Do you use compressed air in a sensitive process and need an oil-free solution? Tell us about your application, operating pressure, air requirement and special requirements. This allows the appropriate size to be determined and the contribution of compressed air in the overall process to be clearly defined. SCC and the regional partner network support you with the technical classification; SCC and the regional partner network support you with the technical classification and the selection of the appropriate size.