How many seals must separate the oil-containing section from the compression chamber in reciprocating compressors for medical air?

In the context of reciprocating compressors used for medical air, the primary concern is to ensure that any oil present in the compressor does not contaminate the medical air supply. Having a sufficient number of seals between the oil-containing section and the compression chamber is essential for safeguarding the purity of the air being delivered to medical systems.

When only one seal is required to separate the oil-containing section from the compression chamber, it indicates a design that effectively prevents oil from migrating into the air side while still allowing for the necessary mechanical operation of the compressor. This is often sufficient because a well-designed single seal, when properly maintained, can adequately achieve the objective of preventing contamination.

In contrast, requiring multiple seals could imply an unnecessarily complicated design. While additional seals can provide redundancy and may enhance the reliability against wear over time, they also introduce potential points of failure and complexity in maintenance. Therefore, with a properly functioning single seal, the system can remain efficient and less prone to issues related to multiple components.

Thus, recognizing the optimal balance between performance, reliability, and safety is crucial in compressor design, and requiring just one seal for separation aligns with industry practices focused on maintaining the integrity of the medical air supply.