In production environments where continuity, sustainability and efficiency are vital, choosing the right compressed air solution is essential. JustAir offers a comprehensive range of oil-lubricated screw compressors: reliability, cost efficiency and high performance combined in one system. Perfect for heavy industry, wood and metalworking, mechanical engineering, chemicals, and other applications where air quality doesn’t necessarily need to be oil-free, but performance and TCO do.
An oil-lubricated screw compressor (also oil-injected or oil-flooded) operates with two or more screw rotors rotating in reverse, with oil playing an essential role in:
Lubrication of rotors, bearings and seals
Cooling of the compression process
Seal making compression more efficient
The oil circuit is designed so that oil and compressed air are separated after compression. Then the compressed air may be further treated (filters, dryers) for specific quality requirements.
| Advantage | What this means for your plant/process |
|---|---|
| High efficiency, especially at part load and continuous operation | The lubricating oils and sealing provide less internal leakage and more efficient compression process. This results in lower energy costs over the service life. For example, modern compressor ranks achieve substantial efficiency improvements over older models. |
| Robustness and longevity | Less wear of parts due to good lubrication, less temperature fluctuations. Compressors can run for long periods under harsh conditions. Ingel Solrand’s oil-lubricated models emphasize reliability in demanding environments. |
| Lower initial investment than oil-free systems for many applications | Because you don’t have to use high-spec oil-free technology, acquisition costs are often lower. For applications where some oil residue can be accepted, this provides a strong business case. |
| Quiet operation and lower operational load | Compared to reciprocating compressors, often less vibration, and good sound insulation possible. Also less heat generation locally. |
| Versatile application | Suitable for a variety of industries: metal and woodworking, packaging industry, machine building, chemistry, etc. Flexibility in pressure, flow and configurations (fixed speed, variable speed) allows for customization. |
To make an informed choice, it is important to know the limits as well:
Air quality: there always remains oil-bearing in the compressed air, quantities depending on compressor type and aftercustomer filters. Not suitable for applications with very strict oil-free requirements (food, pharma, electronics) unless additional filtration is applied.
Maintenance needed: oil change, check separator filters, clean oil coolers, etc. A proper maintenance schedule is crucial to maintain performance and service life.
Environment and disposal of used oil: proper handling of waste oil and condensate required to comply with environmental regulations.
Initial estimate of TCO: Low purchase cost can lead to higher operating costs if inefficient installation, insufficient insulation, or incorrect pressure setting occurs. Calculate the full TCO (energy + maintenance + replacement cost).
JustAir ensures that our oil-lubricated screw compressors meet the highest industrial requirements. Some of our technical strengths:
Variable speed (VSD / VFD) options for models, so the compressor adapts to your compressed air demand – peak and part load periods optimized.
High quality airends and rotor profiles to minimize friction, internal leaks and efficiency losses.
Advanced oil separators and filters so that oil droplets and aerosols are reduced to acceptable levels (often < 5-10 ppm), with downstream filtration if necessary.
Reliable cooling systems (air- and/or water-cooled), good heat dissipation; lower operating temperature means longer life and more stable performance.
Control and monitoring systems: JustAir systems are equipped with monitoring (temperatures, pressures, oil condition, filter status), alarm systems and proactive maintenance.
Here are some industry settings where oil-lubricated screw compressors make the difference:
Metal and machine building: pneumatic tools, spray shops, cooling systems, trunnions, etc. where sufficient pressure and continuous maintenance of flow is required.
Woodworking and furniture industry: spraying, pressing, gluing, etc. where air quality is important but a completely oil-free system is not necessary.
Chemical and process industries: instrumental air, pneumatic controls, cleaning systems where robust compressors with good filtration will suffice.
Packing and packaging lines / logistics: air bags, conveyors, sealing machines, etc.
| KPI | Guideline / Target |
|---|---|
| Energy savings over older fixed speed propeller or piston installation | 10-25 % due to better airends, lower internal leakage, VSD where applicable |
| Availability | ≥ 98 % uptime due to robust construction and remote monitoring |
| Return on Investment (ROI). | Payback period ideally 2-4 years, depending on hours of use, power rate and energy savings |
| Maintenance costs | Reduction in spare parts and maintenance intervals by 30-50 % when compared to older or less well-designed systems |
| Noise level | Depending on version, often ~ 60-75 dB(A) for oil-lubricated screw machines in closed housing (lower than reciprocating compressors) |
JustAir offers not just compressors, but complete value-added solutions:
Free air audit and system analysis – we come on site, measure your air demand, pressures, losses and functioning of existing installation. That’s how we determine exactly which oil-lubricated screw compressor fits your needs.
Customization and system design – choice of power, speed, cooling type, filtration, integration with existing compressed air networks and air handling.
Complete installation and commissioning – JustAir ensures your compressor is properly installed, connected, with custom air and oil filters, monitoring instrumentation, and that it performs optimally right away.
24/7 monitoring and service – with real-time data, predictive maintenance and rapid support to prevent downtime or performance loss.
Flexible financing – buy, rent, lease or Air as a Service, depending on your preferences and CAPEX/OPEX strategy.
Get a free air audit – we’ll analyze your current compressed air system and show your savings potential.
Request a custom quote for an oil-lubricated screw compressor including installation, filters, cooling and monitoring.
Explore our Air as a Service model – you pay only for the air you use, we provide efficiency, reliability and service.
Oil-lubricated screw compressors from JustAir offer:
Powerful, continuous compressed air at low operating costs
High reliability and long life thanks to lubricating oil, airends and robust construction
Flexible options (fixed speed, VSD, different pressures and flows)
Clear TCO calculations, quick ROI when designed and used correctly
Complete package: advice, installation, monitoring and service
For production environments where performance, continuity and efficiency go hand in hand, JustAir is your partner of choice. Contact us today to discuss how an oil-lubricated screw compressor can optimize your production.
