Compressor Rooms

In order to function properly and efficiently, compressor rooms need to be kept cool and well ventilated. This is especially important during hot weather and in warmer climates. A compressor that's kept cool with the right types of fans such as cabinet mounted wall exhaust fans or filtered wall exhaust fans will run less. This saves money, improves performance and extends the longevity of the compressor. 

How a Compressor Works to Stay Cool 

Air pushed or pulled by an internal fan across a cooler that's reminiscent of a radiator is how the temperature of an air-cooled compressor is maintained. In order to facilitate this design, the compressor needs to be located where there is an optimum amount of unrestricted airflow. 

Ductwork that is connected to the compressor must be carefully chosen. The pressure drop of the ductwork inlet and outlet must be below the maximum allowable pressure so the ductwork must be sized appropriately. Any ductwork that is not large enough to do so may require the addition of a booster fan. 

The size of the room where the compressor is located is also of vital importance. If it's located in an open room, that space must be large enough to properly disperse the heat that's removed from the compressor. For rooms that are not large enough to do so, an exhaust fan must be installed to aid in the dissipation of the heat. 

Factors to Consider When Choosing an Exhaust Fan

There are a number of factors that need to be considered prior to the purchase and installation of an exhaust fan that must ventilate a compressor room. These include the following: 

• Size

One of the most important factors -- and something that is often misunderstood -- is the size of the exhaust fan that's needed. In many instances, the exhaust fan is sized to be the same as the compressor itself. 

As the air from the compressor to the cooler, it typically experiences a 30° Fahrenheit increase. An exhaust fan designed to remove only that same amount of air won't be able to keep up. Over time, the temperature inside the compressor room will rise 30° Fahrenheit. In nearly all cases, this much of an increase in the compressor room temperature would be unacceptable. 

Choosing panel mounted wall exhaust fans that are two or three times larger than the compressor fan is a more efficient option. Doing so will allow the temperature inside the compressor room to increase only 10 to 15° Fahrenheit. This strategy protects both the compressor and the other equipment in the room by keeping it well ventilated. 

• Location

The tube axial direct drive exhaust fans, in most cases, is connected to ducting for drawing air into a given space or out of the same space.  It is import that the location of the fan and ducting be placed where the heat from the compressor exits. Inlet louvers or motorized intake shutters, if they're used, is also important for letting air into the room as air is being removed by exhausting. This will reduce the amount of static pressure, which can be harmul to the fan(s).  Because heat naturally rises and most compressors release air from the top, the exhaust fan should be higher in the compressor room. The louvers should be lower than the exhaust fan. Ideally, they should also be located on a different wall than exhaust fans or filtered wall supply fans. 

For more information about our fan solutions for compressor rooms including tube axial belt drive fans and other types we sell, contact us at 866-727-1060 today!