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What Causes Overheating in Roots Type Blowers and How to Prevent It?

Learn the common causes of overheating in Roots Type Blowers and practical prevention methods to ensure efficiency, longer life, and reliable performance.

A Roots Type Blower is a positive displacement machine widely used for applications such as aeration, pneumatic conveying, wastewater treatment, and industrial vacuum systems. While these blowers are known for their reliability and robustness, one of the most common operational issues industries face is overheating. If not addressed, overheating can lead to performance drops, premature wear, unexpected breakdowns, and costly downtime. Understanding the reasons behind overheating and knowing how to prevent it is essential for maintaining the blower’s long-term efficiency.

Common Causes of Overheating in Roots Type Blowers

Operating Beyond the Recommended Pressure Range

Roots blowers are designed to work within a specified pressure differential. Operating above this limit forces the machine to do extra work, increasing internal temperature rapidly.

Why it happens:

  • Incorrect sizing of blower
  • System pressure changes or blockages
  • Leakages in aeration or conveying lines
  • Overloading due to process demand

Insufficient Airflow or Suction Restriction

Restriction in suction leads to reduced air availability. When the inlet is partially blocked, the blower continues to rotate but with insufficient air, causing excessive internal compression and heat buildup.

Typical reasons:

  • Dirty air filters
  • Collapsed suction hoses
  • Narrow or undersized pipe diameters
  • Foreign particles entering the suction line

Poor Ventilation Around the Blower

Roots Type Blowers produce heat during operation. If the blower is installed in a congested area or poorly ventilated room, the ambient temperature around the blower increases, reducing heat dissipation.

Contributors:

  • Closed blower rooms
  • Lack of exhaust fans
  • Hot surrounding environment
  • Multiple machines placed too close together

Incorrect Lubrication or Low Oil Levels

High-quality lubrication is essential for the bearings and gears inside the blower. Insufficient or degraded oil increases friction, resulting in overheating.

Causes include:

  • Using non-recommended oil grades
  • Overdue oil changes
  • Leaks in the gearbox or bearing housings
  • Overfilled oil levels causing churning

Misalignment or Mechanical Wear

Misaligned shafts, worn bearings, or damaged lobes create additional resistance. This forces the blower to work harder, increasing heat production.

Most common mechanical issues:

  • Bearing failure
  • Rotor tip contact
  • Gear mesh issues
  • Improper installation alignment

Excessive Discharge Temperature Due to Compression

Roots Type Blowers compress air externally. As discharge pressure increases, the temperature rises naturally. If the system lacks proper cooling, discharge temperature can exceed safe limits.

Operating at High Ambient Temperatures

Industries such as steel plants, chemical units, and foundries often have high ambient heat. When the surrounding temperature is already high, the blower struggles to cool itself.

How to Prevent Overheating in Roots Type Blowers

Always Choose the Correct Blower Size

Proper sizing is the first step in preventing overheating. Manufacturers like TMVT offer detailed performance charts to help select the right capacity and pressure range.

Tip: Never operate the blower beyond recommended pressure or vacuum levels.

Maintain Clean and Unrestricted Airflow

Ensure all suction lines and filters are free from dust and blockages.

Prevention steps:

  • Clean or replace air filters regularly
  • Use correctly sized suction pipes
  • Install vacuum gauges for monitoring restrictions

Improve Blower Room Ventilation

A well-ventilated blower room significantly reduces overheating.

Best practices:

  • Install exhaust fans
  • Ensure free air circulation around the blower
  • Maintain sufficient distance between machines
  • Keep temperature below 40°C whenever possible

Follow Lubrication Guidelines Strictly

Use only OEM-recommended oils and follow scheduled maintenance.

Key tips:

  • Check oil level weekly
  • Replace oil as per manufacturer’s service interval
  • Inspect for leaks and contamination
  • Avoid overfilling

Inspect and Align Mechanical Components

Periodic mechanical inspection helps identify early signs of wear.

Checklist:

  • Bearing condition
  • Rotor clearance
  • Gear alignment
  • Vibration monitoring
  • Coupling alignment

Use Cooling Accessories When Required

For high-pressure or continuous-duty applications, consider cooling enhancements.

Options include:

  • Intercoolers
  • Aftercoolers
  • Heat-resistant oil
  • Soundproof ventilated enclosures

Monitor Operating Parameters

Installing sensors helps operators track system performance in real time.

Useful monitoring tools:

  • Temperature sensors
  • Pressure gauges
  • Vibration sensors
  • Flow meters

Regular monitoring helps detect rising temperatures before they cause damage.

Conclusion

Overheating in Roots Type Blowers is a common issue but highly preventable with proper sizing, regular maintenance, adequate ventilation, and continuous monitoring. Whether used in wastewater treatment, pneumatic conveying, or industrial aeration, maintaining ideal operating conditions ensures maximum efficiency and long service life. Following these best practices guided by reliable manufacturers like TMVT  helps industries achieve trouble-free and energy-efficient blower performance.