Application Engineering Guide
Low-Pressure Compressed Air. Engineered for Volume, Not Pressure.
Many industrial processes require large volumes of compressed air at pressures far below standard network levels. Using conventional compressors for low-pressure applications wastes energy and increases operating costs. Dedicated low-pressure systems deliver the same flow at dramatically reduced power consumption.
Pneumatic conveying systems for cement, grains, powders, and granular materials require high flow at low pressure.
Wastewater treatment aeration, fermentation, and chemical mixing processes benefit from low-pressure bulk air.
Bottle drying, surface cleaning, and web drying in packaging and printing lines.
Low-Pressure System Selection
Selecting the correct low-pressure compressor requires understanding the relationship between required pressure, flow rate, operating environment, and air quality. The wrong choice increases capital expenditure and lifetime energy costs.
Required Pressure
Low-pressure applications typically operate between 0.5 and 5.0 bar(g). Selecting a compressor with a rotor profile optimized for this range ensures maximum volumetric efficiency and minimum specific power.
Flow Demand Profile
Continuous bulk air applications benefit from fixed-speed or VSD configurations. Variable-speed drives match flow to demand, reducing unloaded running time and improving part-load efficiency.
Air Quality Requirements
Food, pharmaceutical, and sensitive applications require oil-free or treated air. Low-pressure systems can be configured with oil-free screw technology or downstream filtration to meet ISO 8573-1 purity classes.
Operating Environment
Ambient temperature, altitude, dust, and humidity affect compressor performance. Outdoor installations require weatherproof enclosures; high-altitude sites need derating calculations.
Low-Pressure Compressor Configurations
The table below maps common low-pressure applications to recommended compressor configurations. Each row links required pressure, flow, air quality, and environmental constraints to a specific product architecture.
| Application | Pressure Range | Flow Range | Air Quality | Recommended Configuration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pneumatic Conveying (Cement, Grains) | 1.5 - 3.5 bar(g) | 50 - 200 m³/min | ISO Class 2:4:2 | Single-stage LP screw + VSD + dry air receiver |
| Wastewater Aeration | 0.5 - 2.0 bar(g) | 30 - 150 m³/min | ISO Class 3:5:5 | LP rotary screw + VSD + coarse filtration |
| Food & Beverage Drying | 2.0 - 4.0 bar(g) | 20 - 80 m³/min | ISO Class 0 (Oil-Free) | Oil-free LP screw + refrigerated dryer + sterile filter |
| Chemical Agitation & Mixing | 1.0 - 3.0 bar(g) | 10 - 60 m³/min | ISO Class 1:2:1 | LP screw + VSD + coalescing filter + dryer |
| Air Knife / Surface Drying | 3.0 - 5.0 bar(g) | 15 - 50 m³/min | ISO Class 1:1:1 | LP screw + VSD + refrigerated dryer + particulate filter |
Need Help Selecting the Right Low-Pressure Configuration?
Low-pressure system selection requires careful analysis of pressure, flow, air quality, and environmental factors. Our application engineers can review your operating parameters and recommend an optimized configuration that minimizes energy consumption and total cost of ownership.