Multi-Stage Compressors

A Quincy air compressor is designed, engineered and built to provide many years of reliable service. You also get the benefit of industry-leading warranty programs for your protection and peace of mind, as well as 24-hour service via the extensive network of authorized Quincy dealers. What’s more, we also provide top-notch air compressor parts. We offer a wide selection of genuine Quincy compressor parts and air compressor fluid products so you’ll never have to worry about finding the air compressor parts you need to keep your compressor up and running.

How Multi-stage Compressors Work

Multi-stage compressors feature a series of cylinders, each of a different diameter. Between each compression stage, the air passes through a heat exchanger, where it is cooled. Cooling the air reduces the amount of work necessary to compress it further.

In a two-stage compressor, air is then forced into an additional chamber where it is pressurized to the required extent. In a three-stage compressor, an additional cycle of compression and cooling occurs before this.

Benefits of Multi-stage Compression

Both single and multi-stage compressors have their benefits. The right one for your application will depend on a number of factors. Specific advantages of a three- or two-stage compressor design include:

• Improved efficiency. Two-stage compressors perform less work to compress air to a given pressure, which means your operating costs are lower.
• Better reliability. The intercooling stage of two-stage compression creates less chance of overheating, which in turn means more uptime and better productivity.
• Less moisture buildup. Cooler air has a lower moisture content. Moisture in compressed air can lead to equipment failure and premature wear. Using a two- or three-stage compressor can potentially save you from having to purchase a separate air dryer.
• Smaller footprint. For heavy-duty applications, multi-stage compressors deliver greater air pressure (PSI) at higher capacities (CFM) than single-stage machines of a comparable size.
• Few maintenance requirements. Thanks to smaller components and cooler temperatures, wearable components don’t wear out as quickly. As a result, recommended service intervals are longer.

Applications

Clearly there are benefits to selecting a multi-stage machine; however, their higher cost means they are not necessarily the right choice for every application. Generally speaking, single-stage compressors are best for light-duty, intermittent use applications, in which pressure requirements don’t exceed 100 PSIG. Two- or three-stage compressors, on the other hand, offer better value and reliability for continuous use applications, such as auto repair and manufacturing.

Multi-stage Machines From Quincy Compressor

Quincy Compressor has been a leading compressor manufacturer for nearly 100 years. We carry a complete range of products, including two- and three-stage air compressors designed for heavy-duty industrial use. Our products incorporate advanced technology to improve efficiency, reduce noise and keep maintenance requirements to a minimum. The best warranty programs in the business back all of our products, and we offer extended coverage on certain components for 10 years or more.

Our flagship product, the QR-25, is available in a 5 HP, 2-stage air compressor configuration. We also sell rotary screw and three-stage reciprocating machines. To learn more, check out our Resources page for more background on the technology and how it works.

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