Compressors on this page are rated roughly 138 to 167 CFM. All are rotary screws in the 25 to 50 HP range: the Chicago Pneumatic CPBG 35 HP at 158 CFM, the Chicago Pneumatic CPVSd 30 HP at 140 CFM and 35 HP at 164 CFM, the Atlas Copco GA26 at 141 to 146 CFM and GA30 at 161 CFM, the Atlas Copco GA22 VSD 30 HP at 163 CFM, the Atlas Copco GA18 VSD+ 25 HP at 29 to 138 CFM, and the Quincy QGSV 40 HP at 144.8 CFM and 50 HP at 163.8 CFM, both at 175 PSI.

What 150 CFM supports

A mid sized plant with 40 to 50 air stations, a stamping or die casting operation, a bottling or packaging line, a woodworking plant with dust collector pulse cleaning, or a shop running two blast cabinets at once. At this size an air audit is worth doing before buying; leaks alone can be 20 percent of demand on an older plant.

Horsepower depends on pressure

The HP spread on this page is wide because pressure rating drives it. The 35 HP CPBG makes 158 CFM at 125 PSI, while the Quincy QGSV needs 50 HP to make 164 CFM at 175 PSI. Buy the lowest pressure rating that satisfies the plant and regulate down at the few points that need more.

Variable speed is the default here

At 150 CFM the energy bill over ten years is several times the price of the machine, so variable speed drive (CPVSd, GA22 VSD, GA18 VSD+, QGSV) is the usual choice unless the plant runs at a steady full load. A VSD screw also soft starts, which matters on a limited service.

Power and installation

A 40 HP motor draws about 52 amps at 460 volt; 50 HP about 65 amps. These machines need 460 volt three phase service and a compressor room with ducted cooling air. Most units here are base mounted; add a receiver tank of 200 gallons or more.

Dryer sizing

Pair a 150 CFM compressor with a 175 to 200 CFM refrigerated air dryer, or a desiccant dryer for instrument air or outdoor lines. Several variants ship with the dryer built into the package.

Related pages

• 125 CFM air compressors
• 185 CFM air compressors
• Variable speed rotary screw air compressors
• Shop all sizes by CFM