Sullair TS32 AC, User Manual

TS32 USER MANUAL

SECTION 2

14

After the air/fluid mixture is discharged from the

compressor unit, the fluid is separated from the air.

At this time, the air flows to the service line and the

fluid is cooled in preparation for re-injection. 

The fluid also serves as lubricant for the anti-friction

bearings and the drive gear sets. 

2.3

COMPRESSOR COOLING 

AND LUBRICATION 

SYSTEM, FUNCTIONAL 

DESCRIPTION 

Refer to 

Figure 2-3

 through 

Figure 2-11

. The cooling

and lubrication system (air-cooled version) consists
of a fan, radiator-type cooler/aftercooler assembly,
full-flow main line filter, thermal valve and
interconnecting piping. 

For the water-cooled models, a shell and tube fluid

cooler, and aftercooler are substituted for the

radiator- type cooler on air-cooled compressors. The

pressure in the separator/sump tank causes fluid

flow by forcing the fluid from the high pressure area

of the sump to an area of lower pressure in the

compressor unit. 
Fluid flows from the bottom of the separator/sump

tank to the thermal valve. The thermal valve is fully

open to the compressor unit when the fluid

temperature is below 185ºF (85ºC). The fluid passes

through the thermal valve, the main filter and directly

to the compressor unit where it lubricates, cools and

seals the rotors and the compression chamber. 
As the discharge temperature rises above 185ºF

(85ºC), due to the heat of compression, the thermal

valve begins to close and a portion of the fluid then

flows through the cooler. From the cooler, the fluid

flows to the main filter and on to the compressor unit. 
The filter has a replacement element and an integral

pressure bypass valve. When the element pressure

exceeds 20 psid (1.4 bar), the filter begins to bypass.

The Supervisor monitors the filter pressure drop and

displays a maintenance requirement message.
A fluid stop valve is also present in the lubrication

circuit. The fluid stop valve prevents fluid from filling

the compressor unit when the compressor is shut

down. When the compressor is operating, the fluid

stop valve is held open by air pressure from the

compressor unit allowing a free flow of fluid from the

separator/sump tank back to the compressor unit. On

shutdown, the compressor unit pressure is reduced,

causing the fluid stop valve to close and isolate the

compressor unit from the cooling system.
Water-cooled models have a water pressure switch

to prevent operation with inadequate water pressure. 

2.4

COMPRESSOR DISCHARGE 

SYSTEM, FUNCTIONAL 

DESCRIPTION 

Refer to 

Figure 2-3

, 

Figure 2-5

 and 

Figure 2-6

. The

compressor unit discharges the compressed air/fluid

mixture into the combination separator/sump tank.

The separator/sump tank has three functions: 

• It acts as a primary fluid separator. 
• Serves as the compressor fluid sump. 
• Houses the final fluid separator elements. 

The compressed air/fluid mixture enters the

separator/sump tank and is directed through a

centrifugal baffle. Through centrifugal action and a

velocity reduction large droplets of fluid form and fall

to the bottom of the separator/sump tank. The

fractional percentage of fluid remaining in the

compressed air collects on the surface of the dual

separator elements as the compressed air flows

through them. Two return lines (or scavenge tubes)

lead from the bottom of each separator element to

the low pressure region of the compressor unit. Fluid

collecting on the bottom of each separator is returned

to the compressor by a pressure difference between

the separator/sump tank and the compressor inlet.

Sight glasses are located in the return lines to

observe this fluid flow. There are also orifices

(protected by strainers) within the sight glasses to

assure proper flow. When the total pressure drop

across the elements exceeds 10 psid (0.7 bar), the

Supervisor displays a maintenance requirement

message. 

The separator/sump tank is a pressure vessel

designed and built to codes administered by

appropriate governing bodies. A combination

minimum pressure/check valve, located downstream

from the separator, assures a minimum separator/

sump tank pressure of 50 psig (3.5 bar) during all

conditions. This pressure is necessary for proper air/

fluid separation and proper fluid circulation while

supplying air to the system. This valve also acts as a

check valve preventing compressed air in the service

line from bleeding back into the separator/sump tank

on shutdown and during operation on the

compressor in an unloaded condition. 

NOTE

Standard thermal valve temperature is 
175ºF/79ºC (operating temperature of 180ºF/ 
82ºC). Thermal valve temperature is 190ºF/
88ºC (operating temperature of 195ºF/ 91ºC) 
for HH, XH and 24KT machines.