When compressed air does not merely drive a tool but comes into direct contact with a medium, the requirements change fundamentally. This is the case in water treatment: when air is used to keep water in motion, it enters the application directly. In such cases, it is critical that no oil from the compression process is introduced.
A water treatment company in Lombardy uses a compact, oil-free scroll compressor for this purpose—the SCROLLI 3. The task: move standing water in a basin to counteract conditions that can promote 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 water does not move for extended periods, conditions that promote deposits or biological growth develop more easily. A common measure is to keep the water in motion using injected compressed air.
However, this brings the compressed air into direct contact with the water. An oil-injected compressor would be unsuitable here, as oil components from the compression process could enter the air and thus the application. An oil-free solution in a compact size, suited to a clearly defined task, was therefore required.
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 thus designed for applications requiring oil-free compressed air. Scroll technology operates with low vibration and is comparatively quiet; the design is compact and space-saving.
For this application, the compact size is appropriate: it is not about large air volumes for an entire production facility, but about a specialized task. A small, oil-free compressor is better suited than an oversized machine—a principle also evident 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 water treatment: it provides the compressed air used to move the water in the basin. Overall water quality depends on the entire treatment process.
The movement of the water is intended to reduce stagnant areas and counteract conditions that can promote deposits or biological growth. The compressor’s contribution thus lies in water circulation—not in chemical treatment.
Result and operational benefits
For this case, the benefit can be described precisely:
- A compact, oil-free compressed air generation system suited to a specialized task.
- Reduced risk of oil contamination from the compression process entering the water-bearing application.
- Movement of standing water to reduce stagnant areas and conditions favorable to deposits or growth.
- Compressed air quality according to ISO 8573-1 Class 0 as per series specification.
Three Notes for Sensitive Process Applications
- Contact determines the technology. As soon as compressed air comes into direct contact with a medium, oil-free generation becomes paramount. It reduces the risk of oil from compression entering the process.
- The size should match the task. For a clearly defined task, a small, oil-free compressor is often the more suitable choice than a large universal machine. The correct size is determined by actual demand.
- Define the benefit precisely. A compressor delivers oil-free compressed air and performs a defined partial task. It does not replace a complete treatment process—this distinction helps establish realistic expectations and proper sizing.
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 says nothing about overall 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 promote deposits or biological growth. It is a clearly defined partial task within the overall process.
Why a small compressor instead of a large machine?
The task is clearly defined and does not require large air volumes. A compact, oil-free compressor is therefore better suited to this application than an oversized machine. The appropriate size is determined by actual demand.
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. Specific sizing is based on demand and requirements.
Find an Oil-Free Solution for Your Application
Do you use compressed air in a sensitive process and require an oil-free solution? Provide us with the application, operating pressure, air demand, and special requirements. This allows the appropriate size to be determined and the compressed air’s contribution within the overall process to be clearly defined. SCC and the regional partner network support you with technical assessment; SCC and the regional partner network support you with technical assessment and selection of the appropriate size.