Compressor Spare Parts for Models with Different Cooling and Lubrication
There are compressors with air cooling and with water cooling. Air cooling is only possible up to a certain degree of engine performance, after which more efficient water cooling is needed.
Originally compressors were almost exclusively liquid-lubricated – usually with oil, and more rarely with water. This has two disadvantages: The lubricant has to be changed regularly, and the compressors must therefore be built in such a way that they can be maintained without difficulty.
Moreover the oil will condense after a time, and even minimal residues in the pressurised air can cause problems in sensitive operating areas. This problem does not arise on ships, however, which is why mainly oil-lubricated compressors are used on board.