Air compressors are a crucial part of operations in factories and workshops worldwide. Industrial air compressors are complex systems equipped with several components to guarantee optimal performance, and these units are the workhorses of a manufacturing plant. Valves used in air compressors provide a steady flow of compressed air for an extended period to meet the needs of various applications, including running pneumatic machinery in manufacturing plants.


Valves used in air compressors

The common valves used in air compressors are the following:

Intake valve
The intake valve acts as the breathing port of an air compressor. It allows air to enter, which the valve then directs to the compressor head, where it is compressed to form compressed gas. Intake valves also control the loading and unloading of the air compressor and the size and flow of the air pressure.

Minimum pressure valve
The minimum pressure valve is located at the outlet just above the oil-gas separator. When using the minimum pressure, the valve acts as a buffer to control gas flow rate and prevent high-speed airflow damage. It has various components, including the valve core, valve body, and spring. It also features adjusting screws, sealing rings, and more.

Safety valve
A safety valve or overflow valve promises the compressor system's safety. If the system pressure exceeds the specified value, the safety valve discharges some gas into the atmosphere to ensure the system doesn't trigger accidents because of excessive pressure.

Temperature control valve
The temperature control valve controls the lubricating oil entering the oil cooler to ensure the rotor temperature is within the desired level. Filters are an important part of your compressed air system. Installing the right type of filters and maintaining them regularly will ensure a consistent supply of clean air to your operations and reduce pressure drop. Filters start at the intake of the compressor and finish at the point of use.


There are some other valves indispensible for a air compressor except for three mentioned above, like air compressor intake valve, air compressor unloader valve, air compressor solenoid valve, air compressor regulating valve, etc.


Apart from valves, a great filter plays an essential role for a air compressor as well. Air compressor filters are an important part of your compressed air system. Installing the right type of filters and maintaining them regularly will ensure a consistent supply of clean air to your operations and reduce pressure drop. Filters start at the intake of the compressor and finish at the point of use.Dirty compressor intake filters will reduce compressor efficiency and allow dirt particles to enter the compressor, loading up the separator and oil filters, contaminating oil, and possibly reducing the life of the air compressor.


Filters downstream of lubricated air compressors will collect contamination in the piping such as rust and remove oil in the air that could collect in the piping affecting the operation of pneumatic components.


If the compressor is located in an environment with a lot of airborne particulates, that will impact the cleanliness of your compressed air. In industrial applications, dust and fumes from production processes can contaminate compressed air. Outside air can be problematic, too — especially in the spring, when pollen counts rise, and in the fall, when mold and leaf dust are in the air. If the compressor is located outside, or factory doors are kept open, these seasonal considerations will impact compressed air cleanliness and compressor performance.


Air Compressor Filter can be devided into different types according to different focuses, for example, there are air compressor air filter, air compressor oil filter, air compressor air oil separator filter, air compressor filter element, air compressor vacuum pump filter, etc.