Selecting air pump design. Mount any angle, 150psi, efficient.

[fastline12]

This is sort of an off-the-wall project for us with low requirements and liability. Customer is looking for compact compressor. Recip piston is obviously a first reach for air compressors but I am questioning their ability to be compact because they they are not able to continuously compress air, only 180* of rotation.

This brings me to twin screw and vane pumps. It would be most ideal for one to run dry or limited oiling, but I know many screw pumps at least require some oil in the air for proper sealing and post filtration which is just out of the question for this. Air must be clean air but not breathable quality.

The pump needs a relatively high duty cycle but not continuous. The main problem though is that all other pumps are just way too big. The actual CFM specification is sort left as "what can we get"?

More or less, we need to chase designs, then see if someone makes one that can be adapted, then consider manufacturing if nothing can be found. I like the simplicity of vane pumps but don't see them for higher pressures much. Probably a reason for that.

 

[micalbrch]

Are you looking for a pump or for a compressor?

 

[LittleInch]

Some vague idea of flowrate you want would be useful as well... or something to guide a size.

How compact?

"pumps are way too big~" - How big is way too big?

Don't know why you've knocked out reciprocating - these come in many sizes

My motto: Learn something new every day

Also: There's usually a good reason why everyone does it that way

 

[fastline12]

I apologize for any confusion, this is an air compressor requirement. Rough specification would be about 5cfm at 100psi. Dimensionally, if it could stay within an 8" cube, that would be ideal which I KNOW is a tall order!

Recip is proven to work BUT the issues are many. Mounted anyway but vertical recip and oil will escape, they cannot intake an exhaust simultaneously, it just seems other designs might be a better fit.

I like sliding vane stuff but it seems they are not designed for higher pressures? why is that? twin screw might be a good choice but seem rather complex?

 

[chicopee]

I would say get a small air compressor which is to discharge to an air receiver from which you can regulate the air flow with a regulating valve. The air receiver would attenuate the pulsation from a reciprocal compressor.