
KRSD series Page 10
2.3 COMPRESSOR LUBRICATION AND COOLING SYSTEM
The lubrication and cooling system consists of a reservoir, centrifugal fan, fan motor,
aluminum finned fluid-cooler and after-cooler, thermal valve & fluid filter. High pressure
forces the lubricant through a series of direction changes in the reservoir where it is
separated from the air. The fluid is then delivered to the thermal valve and fluid-cooler.
Cooled fluid will be filtered before being re-injected back into the compressor.
Ambient air is being forced through the cooler fins by the centrifugal fan, which cools the
fluid and compressed air in the cooler tubes. The after-cooler helps separate the water
content in the discharge air, and through the automatic condensate drain, the water will be
drained. This avoids water contamination problems downstream (in service lines). Cooler
fins must be kept clean at all times.
Fluid from reservoir circulates to the thermal valve. The thermal valve is fully closed when
the fluid temperature is below 70°C (158°F). Fluid (below 158°F) will bypass the thermal
valve and inject directly to the airend. As the discharge temperature rises above 80°C
(176°F), due to heat of compression, the thermal valve begins to open and fluid will be
circulated to the cooler.
2.4 COMPRESSOR DISCHARGE SYSTEM
Air/fluid mixture has been forced into reservoir after compression. The reservoir has two
basic functions:
It acts as a primary fluid separator.
It serves as the compressor fluid sump.
The compressed air/fluid mixture enters the reservoir and is directed against the internal
baffle. Turbulent flow occurs, and velocity is significantly reduced, thus causing large
droplets of fluid to form and fall to the bottom of reservoir. Fluid collected in the reservoir
will then be returned to the compressor due to the pressure differential.
The sight glass enables the operator to visually monitor the reservoir fluid level. Fluid is
added to the reservoir by removing the fluid filling cap after all system pressure is relieved.
The fluid level should remain at the top red lines on the sight glass. Fluid refill is required
once its level drops below the lower red line.
The minimum pressure check valve assures the reservoir maintains a minimum pressure
between 58 psig and 72 psig (4Bar and 5Bar) during unloading conditions. This pressure is
necessary for air/fluid separation and fluid circulation.