
070.650-IOM (JUL 19)
Page 6
SGC/SGX ROTARY SCREW COMPRESSOR
INSTALLATION - OPERATION - MAINTENANCE
• Oil injected into the rotors to maintain good volumetric
andadiabaticefciencyevenatveryhighcompression
ratios.
• The shaft rotation is clockwise when facing the com-
pressor and is suitable for all types of drives.
Warning
Compressor rotation is clockwise when facing the
compressor drive shaft. Never operate the compressor
in reverse rotation as this results in bearing damage.
• SuctionanddischargeangesareANSIB16.1Class300
for all except the SGX 4013 model. SGX 4013 has Class
400suctionanddischargeanges.
• Integral suction strainers are provided for all models
except the SGX 35XX and 408 series. These models
must be ttedwithasuitablestrainer,#60meshx
.0065 in. diameter stainless steel wire or better, to pre-
vent damage to the compressor from particles entering
the suction area.
COMPRESSOR LUBRICATION SYSTEM
The lubrication system on SGC/SGX screw compressor units
performs several functions:
• Provides lubrication to bearings and seal.
• Provides a cushion between the rotors to minimize
noise and vibrations.
• Helps keep the compressor cool and prevents
overheating.
• Provides an oil supply to hydraulically actuate the slide
valve and slide stop.
• Provides oil pressure to the balance piston to help
increase bearing life. Some applications/operating
conditions require a regulated pressure to the balance
piston.
• Provides an oil seal between the rotors to prevent rotor
contact or gas bypassing.
• OnSGXmodels,providesoilsupplytothesqueezelm
dampers.
OIL PUMP
A demand oil pump is required for low differential pres-
sure applications. CoolWare™ provides a warning when
the oil differential pressure is too low. Oil being supplied
to the compressor from the oil separator is at system
discharge pressure. Within the compressor, oil porting
to all parts of the compressor is vented back to a loca-
tion in the compressor’s body that is at a pressure lower
than compressor discharge pressure. All oil entering the
compressor is moved by the compressor rotors out the
compressor outlet and back to the system oil separator.
AllSGXcompressorsareequippedwithsqueezelm
dampers (SFD) in the rotor blocking diameters. Depending
on operating conditions and power consumption, a full
time and full lube oil pump is required to supply oil to the
compressor (SB-3 and SB-4 ports) at a pressure up to 40
psi to 50 psi above discharge pressure. Coolware provides
the exact calculation at the actual operating condition. If
the calculation information is not available, ensure the oil
pressure is a minimum of 40 psi above discharge pres-
sure.
On all SGH compressors, the oil pressure to the balance
piston must be controlled and regulated through the SB-2
compressor port. For booster and low pressure applica-
tions, SB-2 may not need to be connected. For higher
operating pressure a balance piston regulator (BPR) must
be installed and piped to the SB-2 connection.
Since there are several variants of the BPR, use Coolware
to select the best option. Correct BPR information and
pressure settings are required. Do not run the compressor
without his information.
Notice
Do not run the compressor without the correct balance
piston regulator information and pressure settings.
CONSTRUCTION DETAILS
Housing
Castings for SGC/SGX screw compressors through model
3524 are close grain, pressure tight, and grey cast iron to
ensure structural integrity and mechanical and thermal
stability under all operating conditions. Ductile iron hous-
ings are also available for special applications.
Standard casing material for SGX 4013-4021 compressor
models is ductile iron grade 60-40-18 per ASTM A395
and ASME SA395. Contact Johnson Controls – FRICK sales
for additional information.
Rotors
The rotors are made from the highest quality steel bar-
stock or forgings to the exacting tolerances of FRICK de-
signedhigh-efciencyrotorproles.Thefour-lobedmale
rotor (5 lobes on 408) is connects directly to the driver.
The six-lobed female rotor (7 lobes on 408) is driven by
themaleonathinoillm.
Bearings
Antifriction bearings with L
10
rated life in excess of
50,000 hours at design conditions (using the FRICK Su-
perlter™) are used for reduced frictional horsepower and
superior rotor positioning. This results in reduced power
consumption, particularly at higher pressure ratios. Cy-
lindrical roller bearings are provided to handle the radial
loads and the thrust loads are absorbed by four point
contact or angular contact bearings. In addition, thrust
balance pistons are provided to reduce the thrust load
and improve bearing life.
Shaft seal
The compressor shaft seal is a single-face type with a
spring-loaded carbon stationary surface riding against a
cast iron rotating seat. The seal is capable of withstanding
static pressure up to 600 psig. During operation it vents to
low pressure to provide extended life.
The 408 compressors utilize silicon-silicon carbide seal
face material.