FK Compressor Centrifugal Pump

This sounds similar to the rotary vane vacuum pumps used to prime fire engines. Also the same as the air motors used in air tools. Lubrication is essential for efficient operation. How is yours lubricated?

thank you bob c.

I have a seperate oil lube pump has supplied with the compressor(motor driven). The lube oil is pumped, filtered and distributed to 6 points of lubrication all through the operation of the equipment. Also prior to start-up, a 30 minutes lube is always done.

The compressor is connected directly to the Main Motor via a Coupling (with coupling pins). It sucks air from an air intake filter compartment that is located at the open enviroment outside. The working enviroment is dusty most of times. Intake filter bags filter dirt/dust/foreign object from entering suction line and damaging rotor and rotor blades.

What material are the blades made of?

Blades are made of WOOd..there are 8 blades that slide in&out of slots when the rotor roates (driven by the motor).

My guess is that those vanes are phenolic resin. It looks like a cloth saturated with some kind of resin. These are a consumable item. If you have trouble finding new vanes. you can try WWW.usplastics.com They have the product, and you could cut the sheets they sell into the vanes you need. You might need to round the vanes on the outboard ends, or angle cut them. Depending on the original design. Good luck.

I had the same problem with a car air conditioning compressor. The vanes were worn down so far, one came out of the slot and broke off the others. I determined that by measuring the intact end of one of the vanes, and the clearance at the widest opening reached as the compressor turned.

Damaged and inefficient filters are one of the biggest cause of such failures because dust sticks to the vanes and cause unbalance leading to failure.

Check wear on the vanes and the fit of the vanes into their slots. If the vane is too thin, it will cock in the slot and jam. similarily if they are too short, they will also lock. You didn't mention how old the vanes were or how long they were in service. I'd suggest that problem instead of particulates causing failure.

Thank you Morgan 23,

Yes, the these impeller blades were installed on November 2007 (9months ago). The intake filter bag was not replaced due to nil ex-stock. This equiment is a product supplied by FLSimdth Minerals Pty Ltd, and I am still awaiting for the new filter bags.

Yes, i'll take the advise on checking on the wear of vanes.

Now, my questions is: "is a common problem for this type of compressors?"

Hubert