Vehicle-Mounted & Unloading Gas Air Compressors
Engineered for propane, LPG, liquid ammonia, butane, ethylene, and tetrachloroethylene applications — eight specialist models built to ISO and ATEX-compliant standards for hazardous gas transfer operations across the UK and Europe.
Specialist Gas Transfer Compressors for Hazardous Media
When industrial gas handling demands zero compromise, our range of vehicle-mounted gas air compressors delivers the reliability, chemical compatibility, and operational safety that demanding UK and European logistics operations require. Whether transferring liquefied petroleum gas from tanker to storage, unloading liquid ammonia at agricultural facilities, or handling ethylene and propylene at petrochemical sites, each unit in this product family has been precision-engineered for the specific thermodynamic and sealing demands of its target gas medium. All eight models carry the mechanical pedigree of over 18 years of application engineering in gas compression, with internals and seals selected specifically for chemical resistance, low leakage, and sustained high-pressure cycling.
The design philosophy across this range prioritises gas-tight integrity above all else. Unlike general-purpose industrial air compressors, these units are configured as dedicated gas compressors, meaning all wetted components — from cylinder liners to piston rings, valve seats to shaft seals — are selected and validated for direct contact with hydrocarbon or chemical refrigerant media. The result is a product that UK gas distribution companies, petrochemical plant operators, and agricultural chemical logistics providers can deploy with full confidence in extended service intervals and consistent performance in the field.
Our 8-Model Gas Compressor Product Range
Technical Specifications
The table below lists the general performance parameters covering all eight models in this product family. These figures represent the full range across the series. For the precise datasheet of any individual model — including exact displacement, motor power rating, and connection dimensions — please contact us at [email protected].
| Parameter | Specification | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement (Single Unit) | 1 – 500 Nm³/min | Covers the full ZW / DW / LW model range; individual model values on request |
| Compression Medium | Gas (Air-equivalent basis) | Propane, LPG, liquid ammonia, butane, ethylene, propylene, tetrachloroethylene, carbon tetrachloride |
| Discharge Pressure | 0.1 – 25.00 MPa | Model-specific rated pressures within this envelope; see individual datasheets |
| Motor Power | 5.5 – 10,000 kW | PTO drive or electric motor options available depending on model and application |
| Piston Force | 1.5 – 150 T | Reflecting the wide pressure and displacement range across the full product family |
| Compressor Type | M, D, P, L, Z | Multiple cylinder arrangement types to suit different pressure ratios and flow requirements |
Compressor Type Reference
Single-cylinder (Mono)
Double-acting / Dual cylinder
Parallel arrangement
L-shape (90° opposed)
Z-type (compound arrangement)
Per-Model Pressure Reference
| Model | Flow (Nm³/min) | Inlet (MPa) | Outlet (MPa) | Gas Medium | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZW-3/16-24 | 3 | 1.6 | 2.4 | Propane | Z |
| ZW-2.5/16-24 | 2.5 | 1.6 | 2.4 | Propane | Z |
| DW-12/10-16 | 12 | 1.0 | 1.6 | Liquefied Gas / Tetrachloroethylene | D |
| LW-6.85/16-24 | 6.85 | 1.6 | 2.4 | Liquid Ammonia | L |
| ZW-3/12.7–18.7 | 3 | 1.27 | 1.87 | Propane | Z |
| ZW-5/2.8–8.8 | 5 | 0.28 | 0.88 | Butane | Z |
| DW-13.8/10-16 | 13.8 | 1.0 | 1.6 | LPG / Carbon Tetrachloride | D |
| ZW-3/16-14 | 3 | 1.6 | 1.4 | Ethylene / Propylene | Z |
* Pressure values converted from bar notation in model designation to MPa (e.g. /16-24 = 1.6 MPa inlet / 2.4 MPa outlet). Full datasheets including motor kW, piston force (T), and dimensions available on request: [email protected]
How These Gas Compressors Work
Reciprocating Piston Technology
All units in this range use reciprocating (piston-cylinder) compression, which delivers the precise pressure ratio control and gas-tight sealing that volatile and chemically active gas transfer demands. Unlike rotary vane or screw types, reciprocating gas compressors can handle the high differential pressures required for tanker unloading without the leakage risks associated with dynamic sealing surfaces in contact with hydrocarbon media.
Media-Specific Sealing & Materials
Wetted component material selection is the most critical engineering decision in gas compressor design. Our engineering team specifies cylinder liners, piston rings, valve seats, and mechanical shaft seals individually for each gas medium. Ammonia service uses stainless steel and PTFE; LPG and propane units feature carbon-graphite rings with nitrile seals; chlorinated chemical units employ highly resistant FFKM elastomers and hastelloy valve components to withstand aggressive solvent attack.
Vehicle-Mounted PTO Drive
Each vehicle-mounted model is driven via a power take-off (PTO) shaft from the tanker vehicle’s gearbox, eliminating the need for a separate engine or external power supply. This makes the gas compressor fully self-contained in the field — an essential characteristic for UK gas delivery operations in locations without readily available electrical infrastructure, from rural farm depots to remote industrial storage sites.
Why UK Operators Choose This Range
Hazardous Gas Rated
All models are designed to handle flammable, toxic, and corrosive gas media safely, meeting the demands placed by UK Health & Safety Executive guidance on gas transfer operations.
High Differential Pressure Capability
Pressure ratios across the range span from low-pressure butane service up to 24 bar outlet pressure, covering the full spectrum of pressurised gas tanker unloading duties encountered in the UK market.
Long Service Intervals
Robust component selection and conservative engineering margins result in extended maintenance intervals — reducing total cost of ownership for operators running continuous unloading cycles at high-throughput UK gas terminals and depots.
Customisation Available
From bespoke pressure settings to specific seal material upgrades and vehicle mounting configurations, our engineering team works directly with UK procurement departments to deliver purpose-configured units.
Where These Gas Compressors Are Used
The application breadth of this product family reflects the diversity of industrial gas handling in the United Kingdom and across Europe. Propane and butane models serve the LPG distribution sector, which remains a critical energy infrastructure element in off-grid rural properties, agricultural estates, and leisure parks throughout England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Liquid ammonia units find their primary use in the agricultural sector — particularly in the arable farming regions of East Anglia, the East Midlands, and Yorkshire — where anhydrous ammonia is a cornerstone of fertiliser application programmes. Chemical media models address the needs of specialty chemical manufacturers and industrial cleaning supply chains in areas such as the Thames Estuary, Humberside, and Merseyside, where petrochemical and chemical processing facilities cluster near port infrastructure.
Beyond UK-specific applications, ethylene and propylene units are deployed at polymer feedstock terminals across the broader European chemical logistics network, while LPG and carbon tetrachloride models serve both domestic UK supply and export distribution routes through ports including Immingham, Grangemouth, and Southampton. The common thread across all these deployments is the need for a gas compressor that can be trusted in continuous, outdoor, vehicle-mounted duty — often operated by a single driver in remote locations far from immediate technical support. That operational reality drives the engineering decisions embedded in every unit in this range.
Customer Success: UK LPG Distributor Case Study
Northern England LPG Fleet Operator — 12-Vehicle Tanker Fleet
Challenge: A regional LPG distributor operating out of Yorkshire required replacement unloading compressors for their 12-vehicle fleet. Previous units from a European supplier were experiencing seal failures within 18 months of deployment, causing costly downtime and emergency callouts during peak winter demand periods. The operator needed a gas compressor solution with demonstrably longer seal life and access to responsive technical support.
Solution: Following a technical assessment of their pressure cycles and propane media characteristics, we supplied 12 units of the ZW-3/16-24 gas compressor, with seal packages upgraded to a PTFE-backed carbon graphite ring specification validated for over 5,000 hours of continuous propane service. PTO interface dimensions were matched precisely to the operator’s existing vehicle fleet to allow direct drop-in replacement.
Result: After 26 months of in-service operation, zero seal-related failures have been reported across the 12-unit fleet. The operator has since placed a repeat order for two additional units to support fleet expansion, citing the reliability of the gas compressor specification and the quality of technical documentation provided for their UK maintenance team as key factors.
What Our Customers Say
“We’ve been running the ZW series gas compressors on our propane tankers for two years now. The seal life is well beyond what we experienced with previous suppliers, and the technical team responded quickly when we needed guidance on a new vehicle fit-out. Solid kit.”
“The LW-6.85/16-24 liquid ammonia gas compressor has performed exactly as specified since installation. The ammonia-rated mechanical seals were the key specification requirement for us, and the supplier matched that without issue. Impressed with the product quality and competitive price.”
“We source the DW-13.8 series for our LPG terminal operations at Immingham. The high displacement rating and reliable high-differential-pressure performance have made it our preferred gas compressor for tanker unloading. Lead times from order to delivery were shorter than quoted — a welcome change.”
Manufacturing & Custom Engineering Capability
Our manufacturing facility operates a dedicated gas compressor production line with full CNC machining capability for cylinder bores, crankshafts, and connecting rods, allowing dimensional customisation beyond standard catalogue configurations. The engineering team works directly with UK buyers and plant engineers to develop non-standard pressure ratios, alternative seal specifications, PTO interface modifications, and bespoke safety system integrations including pressure relief valve sizing, burst disc specifications, and gas detection system wiring provisions. Where regulatory requirements or site-specific safety assessments demand a configuration not covered by the standard range, our engineers provide full technical collaboration from specification through to commissioning documentation.
For UK customers, we provide complete technical packages including test certificates, CE declaration of conformity (for legacy requirements), UKCA marking documentation, and material certifications for all pressure-containing components. Our production capacity allows batch delivery for fleet purchases, with inventory allocation available to UK priority accounts requiring short replenishment lead times.
Other Air Compressor Products
For general industrial compressed air applications, our partner product range includes energy-efficient rotary screw compressors with variable frequency drive technology, suitable for manufacturing, laser cutting, and process air applications across the UK:
CM132PVF Variable Frequency Rotary Screw Air Compressor
A high-capacity variable frequency drive rotary screw compressor delivering precise pressure control and significant energy savings over fixed-speed alternatives — ideal for UK manufacturing facilities with variable air demand profiles.
CM110PVF Permanent Magnet Variable Frequency Screw Air Compressor
Equipped with a high-efficiency permanent magnet motor, this VFD screw compressor delivers IE4-class energy performance, making it well-suited for UK operations targeting lower energy overheads and carbon reduction commitments under current sustainability frameworks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Source the Right Gas Compressor for Your UK Operation?
Our technical sales team is available to discuss model selection, custom specifications, pricing, and delivery for any gas compressor requirement in the UK and Europe.
edit by gzl