BIG Compressor

[Fast Orange]

I've been working in and around factories for a long time,and I thought I had seen some big air compressors,but I saw a huge one today.Up until today,I had seen piston compressors up to 200HP and rotaries up to 150HP,but today I saw a 400HP,3 stage,600PSI piston compressor.This thing is HUGE! Picture a compressor/motor assembly the size of a UPS truck. Each "jug" was about 2 ft. across the head,I'm guessing about a 16" bore for the first stage cylinder,with probably about a 24" stroke.The flywheel was about 6' in diameter.The motor is 480V,3 phase,460 amps-probably enough power to run your entire block. Instead of being air cooled,it's water cooled by it's own cooling tower.
I was told that the compressor by itself,without it's reciever tank,dryer or cooling tower cost about $230,000.

George

 

[dink]

What is it used for

 

[Tim240Z]

You should see some of our Natural Gas transmission line compressors!
A couple of them are powered by GE turbines which are from the F-18 line, IIRC...

 

[Fast Orange]

This compressor supplies the high pressure air for a plastic bottle manufacturing plant-about 30 rotary mold injection molding machines. I believe the 600 PSI air actually forms the bottle shape inside the mold-kind of like blowing a bubble inside a box.

 

[kartracer55]

Thats freakin rediculous

 

[eschoendorff]

Thats freakin rediculous

Yep. But necessary if ya wanna make $$$$

 

[the intimidator]

i'll take 2 got any pics for us this thing sounds really cool

 

[Fast Orange]

If I could do pics,I would- The plant this beast is in doesn't allow cameras,cell phones or recording devices of any kind due to proprietary process information rules. I don't have a camera anyway.
I believe simular compressors are on both Ingersol-Rand and Gardner-Denver websites-

George