Oil-Free High-Pressure Air Compressors for PET Bottle Blowing
Colt Equipments builds air compressors for PET bottle blowing at its ISO 9001:2015 plant in Sonipat, Haryana. A PET line needs two kinds of air: ordinary 7 to 10 bar service air for the preform handling and pneumatics, which a screw air compressor supplies, and 25 to 40 bar oil-free blowing air for the stretch blow moulder. This page covers the second: two 100% oil-free high-pressure ranges, 120 to 1,059 CFM at 40 bar (42 kg/cm²), with model tables, sizing help and FAQs below.
Oil-free reciprocating PET bottling compressors (42 kg/cm²)
Three- and four-cylinder oil-free reciprocating compressors from our PET brochure. Each package includes the compressor, intercoolers and aftercoolers, and a PLC panel with VFD. Bigger models and higher pressures on request.
| Model | Cylinders | FAD (CFM) | FAD (m³/min) | Working pressure | Motor (kW) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3HFY27N | 3 | 120 | 3.4 | 42 kg/cm² (608 psi) | 37 |
| 3HFY27N+ | 3 | 160 | 4.5 | 42 kg/cm² (608 psi) | 45 |
| 3HF25N | 3 | 200 | 5.6 | 42 kg/cm² (608 psi) | 55 |
| 3HF25N+ | 3 | 265 | 7.5 | 42 kg/cm² (608 psi) | 75 |
| 3HF24N | 3 | 305 | 8.5 | 42 kg/cm² (608 psi) | 90 |
| 3HF23N | 3 | 410 | 11.5 | 42 kg/cm² (608 psi) | 132 |
| 3HF45N | 4 | 520 | 14.6 | 42 kg/cm² (608 psi) | 160 |
| 3HF43N | 4 | 730 | 20.6 | 42 kg/cm² (608 psi) | 200 |
CSB / CSW oil-free screw-piston booster compressors (40 bar)
An oil-free two-stage screw compressor and a two-stage oil-free piston booster on one skid: four oil-free stages from intake to 40 bar. Water cooled, with optional VFD and permanent-magnet motor. CSB frames up to 12 m³/min; CSW frames from 16 m³/min.
| Model | FAD (CFM) | Discharge pressure | Installed power (kW) | Shaft power (kW) | Cooling water (L/hr) | Outlet | Size L×W×H (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CSB2-6.0/40 | 212 | 40 bar | 60 | 54 | 2,500 | 1½" | 2800×1500×1500 |
| CSB2-8.0/40 | 283 | 40 bar | 75 | 68 | 3,000 | 1½" | 2800×1500×1500 |
| CSB2-10/40 | 353 | 40 bar | 92 | 83 | 3,500 | 1½" | 3100×1850×1770 |
| CSB2-12/40 | 424 | 40 bar | 120 | 108 | 4,000 | 1½" | 3100×1850×1770 |
| CSW2-16/40 | 565 | 40 bar | 145 | 131 | 6,000 | 2" | 3820×2050×2100 |
| CSW2-18/40 | 636 | 40 bar | 165 | 149 | 6,500 | 2" | 3820×2050×2100 |
| CSW2-20/40 | 706 | 40 bar | 185 | 167 | 7,000 | 2" | 3820×2050×2100 |
| CSW2-22/40 | 777 | 40 bar | 200 | 180 | 7,500 | 2" | 3820×2050×2100 |
| CSW2-25/40 | 883 | 40 bar | 222 | 200 | 8,000 | 3" | 3820×2050×2100 |
| CSW2-28/40 | 989 | 40 bar | 270 | 243 | 8,500 | 3" | 3820×2050×2100 |
| CSW2-30/40 | 1,059 | 40 bar | 295 | 266 | 9,000 | 3" | 3820×2050×2100 |
Figures are at standard ambient and cooling-water conditions. Larger models, higher pressures and gas versions (CO₂, N₂, argon) on request.
Models up to 2,000 CFM are also available on request.
How to choose a PET bottling air compressor
- Start from the blow moulder. Its data sheet gives high-pressure air consumption at 40 bar for the cavities and bottles per hour you will run. Add 15 to 20% margin for leaks and future speed.
- Match the FAD column. Up to about 700 CFM, an oil-free reciprocating unit is the simplest choice. Above that, or if you want one skid for both stages, choose a CSB/CSW booster package.
- Decide on VFD. If bottle sizes or line speeds change during the day, a VFD keeps pressure steady and saves energy at part load.
- Complete the package. High-pressure receiver, dryer and line filters, so the air at the mould is dry and clean. Colt supplies and commissions the whole system.
Related pages: oil-free reciprocating compressors · oil-free booster compressors · why PET and pharma lines specify oil-free reciprocating compressors · screw air compressors for the 7 bar service air · receivers, dryers and filters
Why Colt Oil-Free High-Pressure Compressors for PET Lines?
100% Oil Free Air
Vibration Free
Quieter Operation
Sustainable Design
For Decades
Service Friendly
Design
Lowest Area
Occupancy
Advance PLC
Easy Operation
Premium Efficiency
IE3 Motor
Lowest Life
Cycle Cost
Advantages of High-Pressure Oil-Free Booster Air Compressor over High Pressure Lubricated Air Compressor
POWER SAVINGS WITH VFD
LOW STARTING CURRENT
VFD ensures there will be no high current peak at startup, as the current increases gradually, eliminating the need for heavy equipment to withstand current peaks.
CONSTANT OUTLET PRESSURE
Because of the narrow pressure band, the consumption at the peaks is omitted in comparison with Star Delta controls. This reduces energy consumption and provides a stable pressure.
HIGH SAVINGS UNDER FLUCTUATING REQUIREMENT
During low requirement, VFD reduces the speed of the motor, resulting in lower energy consumption. The compressor consumes only the energy required to produce the demanded air.
LOW MAINTENANCE
Due to VFD operation, the average RPM of the compressor is reduced, resulting in lower wear and tear and significantly reduced maintenance requirements.
5-year cost comparison, fixed speed vs VFD, from the Colt oil-free PET compressor catalog.
PET bottling air compressor FAQs
What pressure does a PET bottle blowing machine need?
Stretch blow moulding of PET bottles needs high-pressure air of 25 to 40 bar at the blowing station, plus ordinary 7 to 10 bar air for the preform loader, mould clamping and pneumatics. Colt supplies the high-pressure air at 40 bar (42 kg/cm²) as standard, with higher pressures on request.
Why must a PET bottling air compressor be oil-free?
The blowing air touches the inside of the bottle, which holds water, juice or edible oil. Oil carry-over leaves a film and taste inside the bottle and can fail a food-safety audit. Colt's PET compressors are oil-free in the compression chamber (PTFE rings, distance piece and oil scraper rings), so no oil enters the air in the first place.
Reciprocating or screw-piston booster: which should I choose?
For a single blow-moulding machine or lines up to about 700 CFM, the oil-free reciprocating compressor (3HFY27N to 3HF43N) is the simpler, lower-cost choice. For larger plants, or where you already have 7 bar screw air, the CSB/CSW series pairs an oil-free screw with a two-stage oil-free piston booster on one skid, giving 212 to 1,059 CFM at 40 bar with about 15% better energy efficiency than single-stage compression.
How do I size a compressor for my blow-moulding machine?
Take the high-pressure air consumption printed on the blow moulder's data sheet (in CFM or Nm³/hr at 40 bar) for the number of cavities and bottles per hour you will run, add 15 to 20% margin, and match it to the FAD column in the tables above. Send us the machine model, cavities and bottle size and we will size it for you.
Does a VFD make sense on a PET bottling compressor?
Yes, when bottle size or line speed changes during the day. The VFD slows the compressor to match demand, keeps the outlet pressure steady and removes the starting current surge. All Colt PET compressors can be supplied with a VFD and PLC panel.
What else do I need besides the compressor?
A high-pressure air receiver, a refrigerated or desiccant dryer and high-pressure line filters, so the air reaching the mould is dry and clean. Colt supplies the complete package: compressor, intercoolers and aftercoolers, VFD and PLC panel, receiver, dryer and filters, installed and commissioned by our own engineers.
Which industries use these compressors?
Packaged drinking water and soft-drink bottling, edible oil, juice and dairy packaging, pharmaceutical bottles and jars, and any blow-moulding line making PET containers. The same oil-free machines also serve pharma process air and food packaging where ISO 8573-1 Class 0 air is required.
SEND YOUR BLOW MOULDER DETAILS FOR A QUOTE
Model data from the Colt oil-free PET and screw-piston booster brochures. Last updated: .