Industrial screw air compressors have become an integral part of the mining industry, where efficiency, safety and productivity are key. Industrial screw air compressors provide the necessary compressed air needed to operate a wide range of mining equipment and power tools, among others. It is imperative for people involved in all mining operations to understand the importance and functionality of industrial screw air compressors.
In the mining industry, industrial screw air compressors play a crucial role in both surface and underground operations.
Pneumatic tools, such as drills, hammers and rock crushers, are commonly used in mining for jobs like breaking rock, blasting and excavation. In order to operate optimally, these tools require a constant and reliable supply of compressed air. Industrial screw air compressors provide the necessary compressed air power to run these tools, which allows for faster and more efficient mining operations.
Compressed air is used in mining operations to power equipment related to blasting, but it is important to be clear on what parts of the blasting process it powers:
Where Compressed Air is Used
- Drilling Equipment
- Rock drills, jackhammers, and pneumatic air tools are typically powered by compressed air. These drills are essential for making blast holes.
- Hole Cleaning
- Compressed air is blown into the blast holes after drilling to remove cuttings, dust and debris so that explosives can be loaded correctly.
- Loading Explosives (in some systems)
- Compressed air is used by special pneumatic loaders to push cartridge explosives or Ammonium Nitrate/Fuel Oil (ANFO) into deep holes.
- Supporting Tools
- Pneumatic pumps, wrenches and other equipment needed during blasting preparation often run on compressed air.
Where Compressed Air is Not Used
- The actual detonation of explosives is not done with compressed air (it is done with detonators and blasting caps).
- Compressed air is not the source of ignition – it is only the power source for the preparation tools.
→ Compressed air powers the tools and processes around blasting, but not the blasting itself.
Benefits of Industrial Screw Air Compressors in the Mining Industry
- Increased Efficiency
Industrial screw air compressors can handle difficult and challenging tasks more efficiently than the standard air compressor. Industrial screw air compressors are able to deliver constant, high-volume airflow which is critical for maintaining optimum performance of pneumatic tools and machinery. This then leads to greater operational efficiency, less downtime and improved productivity for mining operations. - Cost-Effectiveness
While industrial screw air compressors are an upfront investment, in the long run they save mining companies money because they improve productivity and reduce the potential for breakdowns of expensive equipment. Industrial air compressors are able to maintain consistent pressure and airflow which lessens the need for frequent maintenance or repairs, which then lowers operational costs. - Energy Efficiency
Modern industrial screw air compressors are designed with energy efficiency in mind. These industrial screw air compressors use less energy while still providing the same amount of output, making them more cost effective and environmentally friendly.
Selecting the Right Industrial Screw Air Compressor for your Mining Operation
To select the best, and most suitable, industrial screw air compressor for your mining operation, it needs to be correctly sized. Pressure alone is not sufficient to correctly size an industrial screw air compressor because pressure (bar/psi) is only half of the equation. You also need to take into consideration the litres per minute (lpm) and flow (cfm or m³/min) required, duty cycle, tools used concurrently and system losses.
Why Pressure Alone Is Insufficient
- Pressure tells you how hard the compressed air must be delivered (e.g. 7 bar), but flow (cfm or m³/min) tells you how much compressed air is required (e.g. 0.5 m³/min). Both are required to determine the industrial screw air compressor load.
- If the correct pressure is selected but the industrial screw air compressor cannot supply the required compressed air flow, then the air pressure will drop significantly when any equipment runs and tools will not work properly.
- Real systems have pressure drops (pipes, filters, fittings, dryers), peaks and cycles, so you must size with margins and storage in mind.
- Duty cycle, start/stop frequency and implementation (continuous process vs intermittent hand tools) determine the industrial screw air compressor type (fixed-speed vs VSD, single vs two-stage, oil-free vs oil-lubricated).
What You Need to Know to Size Your Industrial Screw Air Compressor Correctly
- Required working pressure at the site of use.
- List of equipment that uses compressed air and air consumption (l/min, m³/min or cfm) of each item at that working pressure.
- Concurrent factor (what amount of equipment runs at the same time).
- Peak vs average demand (are bursts of high flow required).
- Required duty cycle/runtime (continuous (24/7), intermittent (2 hours/day).
- Allowable pressure drops in the system (how much lower than the source pressure can tools handle).
- Altitude and inlet conditions (affects performance of the industrial screw air compressor).
- Future growth (add 10–30% spare capacity as appropriate).
- Other constraints: footprint, noise limits, energy efficiency requirements, dryer/filtration needs.
- Durability: Mining environments can be harsh, with exposure to dust, dirt, and extreme temperatures. The industrial screw air compressor that is chosen must be tough enough to withstand these harsh conditions and provide service for a long period of time.
- Maintenance and Support: Choose an industrial screw air compressor from a manufacturer known for excellent customer service and reliable parts availability – such as Jaguar Air Compressors. Regular maintenance of your industrial screw air compressor is essential for keeping it running efficiently and safely.
