While rotary compressors (both screw and vane machines) are being applied in greater and greater numbers, reciprocating units still make up the majority of the compressors in service in industry. Reciprocating compressors all operate on the same basic principle and present several unique maintenance and lubrication requirements.
Ordinarily Texas Refinery Corp’s COMPRESSOR OIL ISO 100 (SAE 30) is the lubricant of choice both in the crankcase and on the valve side of the compressor. Colder temperatures may cause you to choose COMPRESSOR OIL ISO 68 (SAE 20) for the crankcase and/or valve side of the compressor. Texas Refinery Corp’s COMPRESSOR OIL helps provide a clean crankcase and properly operating valves, rings, and cylinders which are key to trouble-free compressor service and lower maintenance costs.

In the screw compressor, the intermeshing rotors never actually come into contact with each other. Because compression is the major source of heat, the operating temperature of screw compressors is generally lower than in vane compressors. The lower temperatures translate into longer service life of the lubricant. Texas Refinery Corp’s COMPRESSOR OIL ISO 32 (SAE 10), ISO 46 (SAE 15) and ISO 68 (SAE 20) are recommended for screw compressors depending on the manufacturer’s requirements.

In flooded vane compressors you have to deal with high rotation speed which generates excessive friction. In this severe environment, the lubricants must withstand high temperatures and constant shearing action. Texas Refinery Corp’s COMPRESSOR OIL contains superior anti-oxidation additives blended with base oils that have been put through severe refining steps to increase the oil’s life when under high temperature operating conditions. Flooded rotary vane compressors normally use COMPRESSOR OIL ISO 32 (SAE 10), ISO 46 (SAE 15) and ISO 68 (SAE 20) depending on manufacturers’ recommendations.

Texas Refinery Corp’s COMPRESSOR OILS have an ability to separate from water. This ability is known as demulsibility. Since these oils are expected to give extended service life, it is important they do not retain water that is introduced into the system through condensation, cooler leaks, or other sources. Retained water could cause equipment damage through rust and changes in the fluid characteristics of the oil. Texas Refinery Corp’s COMPRESSOR OILS have superior emulsion-breaking characteristics.

Texas Refinery Corp’s COMPRESSOR OILS are very stable and they offer a long service life. The very high quality base oils are enriched with generous amounts of superior additives.TRC COMPRESSOR OILS resist viscosity increase, varnish formation, base oil break down, filter plugging, acid number increase, as well as rust and corrosion. TRC COMPRESSOR OILS resist oxidation to ensure trouble free compressor service and lower maintenance cost.

Texas Refinery Corp’s COMPRESSOR OIL provides high film strength to minimize friction and to protect from wear during starting and stopping periods. The high film strength also helps prevent the oil film from thinning excessively during other high loading situations. Anti-foam is another very important additive system incorporated in Texas Refinery Corp’s COMPRESSOR OIL. By reducing the chance of foaming, along with the wear-reducing properties of the oil and other additives, COMPRESSOR OIL provides increased wear protection to the bearings and other moving parts of the compressors.