Depends how clean you need to have the compressed air.

Oil free compressors are used for medical and instrument air, and probably some paint shops. GENERALLY, oil free compressors do not generate the higher pressures attained by flooded compressors.

Air tools like to have oil run through them for lubrication, so flooded is better.

Talk to a compressor manufacturer about your specific requirements, which you do not give here.

i do need a compressor that support plant operation. pressure range from 7 - 8.5 barg with min 1300 cfm capacity. what i have now is oil flooded compressor and it always an issue with it carry over where i have to change the dessicant at the dryer tower every two years.

oh yess, the compressor shall supply both plant and instrument air for the plant.

thanks

Also depends on how often your going to use it and the demand. They make small oil less units for home use. They don't put out a lot of CFM's. Easy to maintain.

oiless compressors are alot cheaper to produce. i don't see any benifit to the consumer. the diaphrams only last a short time, even for the back yard mechanic. they can't stand up to the heat.

a good conventional piston driven compressor should last for many years with minimal maintaince.

I must have got the exception. My oil less has been working for 20 years. Some times it's worked pretty hard. Good friend just used it to re-shingle his home.

One would only use oil-free compression for devices that provide breathing air. No-one needs to breathe in oil vapours!