Product Manual

Section 2
ShopTek™ ST45, ST55, ST75 (U.S.A. & Mexico) Operation & Maintenance Manual 2: Description
88292021-240 R01
Subject to EAR, ECCN EAR99 and related export control restrictions. 15
Description
2.1 The air compression cycle
The ShopTek™ air compressor uses a lubricated rotary
screw air end and supporting components to create com-
pressed air.
When the rotors inside the air end turn, they draw outside
air into the compressor through the air inlet system. As
the rotors compress this air from atmospheric pressure to
the target pressure, the lubrication system injects fluid
into the air end to cool the compressed air, lubricate the
rotors and bearings, and create a seal between the rotors
and the air end casing.
After leaving the air end, the compressed air/fluid mixture
flows into the fluid/air separation system. First, the fluid/
air separator tank separates the majority of the fluid from
the compressed air using a combination of centrifugal
force, impingement, and gravity. Then the compressed
air passes through the fluid/air separator element to
remove almost all of the remaining fluid.
Next, the compressed air flows through the aftercooler.
The aftercooler cools the compressed air to 8 – 12°C
(14 – 22°F) above the ambient temperature. The com-
pressed air then flows through the moisture separator (if
installed). The moisture separator collects the water
vapor that condensed when the compressed air was
cooled.
After leaving the aftercooler (or the moisture separator, if
installed), the compressed air flows through the service
connector of the compressor for downstream use.