Laplante V120103-RS11, Operation Manual, Page: 38 / 64

Operation manual
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6.3.1 Air Filter and Inlet Valve
The air filter is the primary protection of compressor from harmful dirt being ingested into
the oil system. It needs to be looked at weekly for clogging or holes. The period for these
inspections is dependent on the environment the machine is in (at least
1000 hours).
The inlet valve is pneumatically operated by a pressure regulator and functions in response
to air demand.
6.3.2 Air/Oil Separator
The air/oil separator should be changed every 4000 hours, once a year, or when there is
excessive oil vapor in the discharge air, or as indicated by a maintenance indicator, which
ever occurs first. Higher temperature operation can cause the element to plug faster.
Consistent operation in temperature
over 180 degree F will require more frequent separator
element changes.
6.3.3 Minimum Pressure Check Valve:
The minimum pressure valve is located on the air end to keep the pressure in separator
not lower than
50~65 psig for lubricant can smoothly flow into the system. When the
compressor is running unloaded or stopped the minimum pressure valve can prevent
from air back flow to separator and air end.
6.4 Oil System:
In the LaPlante Screw Compressor, oil flow is driven by the pressure in the air/oil separator
and flow through oil cooler and be cooled , a thermal mixing valve, the cooled oil pass oil
filter to the airend where it provides cooling, sealing and lubrication. The oil mixed with
compressed air is returned to separator from the airend through the discharge pipe and is
separated from the compressed air by mechanical and filtration techniques in the air/oil
separator.
Lubricant piping system connect air end, separator, oil cooler, oil filter and thermal mixing
valve.
6.4.1 Oil Cooler:
The oil cooler is mounted on the fan shroud and is an air-cooled tube - fin type. The cooling
fan is driven by main motor. The cooler has been selected for 105 degrees F ambient
operating conditions.
6.4.2 Oil Filter:
If the oil with particles flows into air end, the rotors profile is damaged so decline the
compressor efficiency and shorten the lifetime. The oil filter removes the particles and
keeps the oil cleaning.
The oil filter ensures that oil to air end is properly filtered and is a 10 Micron rating (nominal)
spin on element type. Filter is equipped with different pressure switch. When the controller
display the element requires replacing the compressor will shut down. See figure 6-4