Varnish Removal

Oil injected, rotary screw air end assemblies are subjected to excessive temperatures, in and around 200°F. When the rotors and lubricating oil is exposed to these temperatures, varnish build up often occurs. Varnish covered rotors contribute to a loss of CFM output capacity and hinder the performance of the air compressor. In extreme cases the air end suffers a catastrophic failure. 

With this in mind, we recommend an oil analysis and periodic varnish removal. During a major service visit, our technicians will add an additive to the oil sump and run the compressor for approximately 48 hours. When we return to site, we drain all of the lubricating oil, and the flushing fluid. We then perform a standard major service, replacing the oil, the air/oil separator element cartridge, and the oil filters. 

The flush will have broken down the varnish build up from the rotors and the associated internal metallic surfaces subsequently reducing the air compressor operating and running temperatures significantly. Lower operating temperatures result in several system benefits, from air end service life increases, less loading on the downstream filtration and air dryers.