Product Manual

CAP881

AIR/OIL FLOW

Air enters the compressor through the air filter and air inlet valve where it is mixed with oil. After

compression, the air/oil mixture is discharged into the oil receiver tank. The oil is removed as the air passes

through the Air/Oil Separator element. Oil collected at the bottom of the separator element is returned to the

inlet of the compressor through the scavenger line that is equipped with a sight glass for monitoring the flow

of oil to determine when separator replacement is necessary. The coalesced air then passes through the

minimum pressure valve set to maintain a minimum of 65 PSI in the oil separator to ensure a sufficient flow

of oil to the compressor. The compressed air is discharged to its point of use or enters the aftercooler on

SEG-10 & 15 models where it is then cooled and discharged to its point of use.

A sufficient amount of oil is stored in the Oil Receiver Tank and is forced by the pressure of compression

from the separator to the thermal by-pass valve, which regulates its flow into the oil cooler depending on the

temperature of the oil. The thermal valve will open when the oil reaches a predetermined temperature

allowing the hot oil to enter the cooler. Oil, which has not reached this temperature setting will by-pass the

cooler.

The oil is then filtered and sent to the compressor to initiate the compression cycle. The oil also serves as

lubrication for the compressor bearings.