Centrifugal
- Only option if pressure requirements exceed 600 + Hp
- High air quality
- Moderate to high efficiency rates
- Durable
- Higher initial cost
- Fluid cooled only
- Limited ability to reduce power
Positive Displacement- Single State/ Oil Flooded
- Either a rotary screw or a piston operation displaces air in a chamber.
- Low initial cost
- Low maintenance cost
- Air quality is impacted
- Efficiency is relatively lower
- Available as an off the shelf package design
- Durability is somewhat less than a centrifugal compressor (10 - 15 years on average)
- Variable speed drive
Positive Displacement- Oil Free
- Either a rotary screw or a piston operation displaces air in a chamber.
- Somewhat higher initial cost than single stage
- Somewhat higher maintenance cost than single stage
- High air quality
- Efficiency is moderately higher
- Available as an off the shelf package design
- Durability is somewhat less than a centrifugal compressor (10 - 15 years on average)
- Variable speed drive