Market drivers:

More than 10,000 stationary rotary screw air compressors — ranging from 50 to 800 hp and producing from 100 to 150 psig of air — are sold annually in North America. Either a motor or an engine can drive the compressor. Custom-designed natural gas engine-driven air compressors have been around for 30 years and have provided reliable and economic operation for many users. Advances in engine control technologies and standardized packages from several manufacturers have improved reliability and lowered equipment operating costs even further so that gas equipment now is competitive with electric in an increasing number of applications. Additional advantages come from the gas engine's variable-speed capability, which produces higher part-load efficiency than its constant-speed electric counterpart, the ability to use waste heat from the engine and to produce air from the compressors even during electric interruptions.

Consortium Program:

A 15-member consortium has formed a partnership with equipment suppliers to increase momentum in this market and transform what had been scattered regional activities into a coordinated North American market development campaign. The consortium has established a number of showcase demonstration sites and has created market development tools such as product videos, economic screening software and an instructional web site. These tools are designed to educate both equipment distributors and consortium members on benefits, operational issues and market hurdles facing engine-driven air compressors.

NEW Web Site

For more information about Engine-Driven Air Compressors, the participating vendors, and the work of this Consortium, see the new web site www.aircompressor.org.

Learn more about Engine-Driven Air Compressors Equipment Technologies