How to configure energy-saving air compressor for painting sprayer？
Want to save energy while using your painting sprayer? This guide will show you how to configure your air compressor for maximum efficiency.
Painting Sprayer and Air Compressor
Paint sprayers are widely used in the industrial sector, with the power source coming from an air compressor. For applications where paint quality is not a major concern, a screw air compressor can be used. However, for products that require high-quality paint, such as automotive painting, an oil-free air compressor must be used. For larger air volumes, a centrifugal machine is used, while for smaller air volumes, an oil-free screw machine is used. There are several common types of paint sprayers, including traditional sprayers, HVLP low-pressure high-volume paint sprayers that save on paint usage, and RP-type medium-pressure high-volume sprayers.
Your Choice
When it comes to selecting an air compressor for painting sprayers, there are a few options to consider. For traditional sprayers, a centrifugal or screw compressor with an exhaust pressure of 7abr is recommended, taking into account pressure loss from drying and purification equipment and pipeline valves. However, traditional sprayers have the disadvantage of a high air flow rate, which can cause excessive paint rebound and waste, increasing paint and harmful air treatment costs and risking harm to the painter’s health. To avoid these issues, HVLP and RP spray guns were developed. HVLP guns require a low pressure of 1.3-2.0bar, while RP guns require a medium pressure of 2-2.4bar. Therefore, low-pressure oil-free dry screw or centrifugal compressors are best suited for these types of sprayers. The compressed air from these compressors can be used directly without the need for pressure reduction after drying and purification, resulting in energy savings of over 50% compared to conventional compressors. Using these types of sprayers can save 10-30% of paint, be more beneficial for the painter’s health, and reduce waste treatment costs.
The End
Some professionals in the industry may question why not use a low-pressure oil spray screw or a water-lubricated oil-free screw machine for painting. The reason is simple: painting requires high-quality compressed air that is oil-free and water-free. Low-pressure oil spray screw machines tend to have serious oil misting issues, while low-pressure water-lubricated air compressors tend to produce excessive water misting. Both oil and water can greatly increase the burden on the drying and purification equipment, leading to a decrease in painting quality. In addition, water-lubricated air compressors are less stable and efficient than dry screw machines. Therefore, for HVLP and RP spray guns, dry screw or centrifugal machines are the preferred choice.
