DSD series screw compressors

DSD Series Rotary Screw Compressors (125 to 250 HP)

True 1:1 direct drive, premium IE4 motor efficiency, and heavy-duty reliability for continuous 24/7 industrial manufacturing.

The Kaeser DSD Series delivers continuous-duty compressed air for large industrial plants requiring 558 to 1,075 acfm at working pressures from 125 to 217 psig. Engineered with gearless 1:1 direct coupling, independent CAGI-verified specific power efficiency, and SIGMA CONTROL 3 automation, the DSD Series delivers high volumetric airflow with low specific energy consumption.


Request a Quote | Find a Local Distributor | Download DSD Series Specifications (PDF)

 
 

Why Choose the Kaeser DSD Series?

DSD screw compressor - service friendly

Intelligent Automation & Factory Network Integration

  • SIGMA CONTROL Automation: The SIGMA CONTROL continuously tracks operating metrics, predicts maintenance needs, and integrates with factory management systems or the SIGMA AIR MANAGER 4.0 master controller.
    Standard Anybus Interface: It connects to your PLC or SCADA network via interchangeable communication modules.
    Supported Protocols: Modbus TCP, PROFIBUS DP, PROFINET IO, EtherNet/IP, BACnet/IP, and OPC UA. 
  • Low-Speed SIGMA PROFILE® Airend: Precision-machined, single-stage fluid-cooled rotary screw airends run at low speeds, reducing mechanical wear and delivering up to 30% higher efficiency than conventional rotor profiles.
  • IE4 Super-Premium Efficiency Motors: Totally Enclosed Fan Cooled (TEFC) motors with Class F insulation protect electrical components against harsh ambient dust and heat while minimizing lifecycle energy expense. 
  • CAGI Performance Verified: Flow and power ratings are independently tested and certified according to the Compressed Air and Gas Institute (CAGI) verification program.

Gearless Direct-Drive Engineering & Easy Serviceability

  • True 1:1 Direct Drive Coupling: Motor shaft connects directly to the airend shaft without step-up gears or drive belts. This eliminates transmission slip, maintenance adjustments, and drive-related energy losses.
  • Innovative Split Cooling Zones: Dedicated air intake zones cool the heat exchangers, drive motor, and electrical enclosure independently. This prevents preheating, extends fluid life, and lowers approach temperatures to enhance downstream moisture separation. 
  • Exterior Cooler Placement: High-efficiency coolers are mounted on the outside face of the package, allowing visual inspection and easy cleaning without disassembling the cabinet.

Thermal Heat Recovery & Flexible Cooling Execution

  • Air- or Water-Cooled Options:
    Air-Cooled: High-efficiency radial fans pull ambient air across exterior coolers and exhaust through the cabinet roof with high residual pressure, eliminating the need for booster fans in exhaust ducting. Sound levels remain as low as 71 dB(A).
    Water-Cooled: Equipped with corrosion-resistant stainless steel plate-type heat exchangers as standard equipment (with mechanically cleanable, sea-water-resistant CuNi10Fe shell-and-tube exchangers available as an option).
  • Recover Up to 96% of Input Energy: Compressing air converts approximately 100% of electrical energy into heat. With optional factory-installed plate-type heat exchangers, up to 76% of electrical input energy can be recovered from compressor fluid to heat water up to 160°F for process or sanitary use. By ducting hot exhaust air, up to 96% of total energy can be reused for space heating.

Available Configurations & Package Options

DSD 175T - 175 hp screw compressor with dryer
  • Standard DSD Models (DSD 125, DSD 150, DSD 175, DSD 200, DSD 250): Standalone base machines available in air-cooled or water-cooled variants. 
  • Integrated Dryer "T" Models (DSD 125T, DSD 150T, DSD 175T): Outfitted with an energy-saving refrigerated air dryer housed in a dedicated, thermally isolated cabinet compartment. Features a centrifugal moisture separator with an energy-saving zero-loss ECO-DRAIN to remove bulk liquid prior to the refrigeration circuit. 
  • Variable Speed (SFC) Drive Option: Available as an SFC configuration to match fluctuating plant air demand. Learn more on our Variable Speed Drive (SFC) Page.

Technical Specifications

Model Rated Motor Power [hp] Operating Pressure Range [psig] Capacity Range [cfm] Sound Level [dB(A)] Dimensions W x D x H [in.] Base Unit Weight [lb.]
DSD 125/125T 125 hp 80 – 130 psig 606- 623 cfm 71 dB(A) 96 1/2" x 68 1/8" x 84 1/2" 6812 lb.
DSD 150/150T 150 hp 80 – 175 psig 583 - 724 cfm 73 dB(A) 6834 lb.
DSD 175/175T 175 hp 80 – 217 psig 558 - 926 cfm 75 dB(A) 7562 lb.
DSD 200 200 hp 80 - 217 psig 558 - 930 cfm 75 dB(A) 105 7/8" x 75 1/4" x 84 1/4" 8735 lb.
DSD 250 250 hp 80 - 217 psig 689 - 1096 cfm 75 dB(A) 8858 lb.
Note: Integrated dryer ("T") configurations alter overall cabinet dimensions and total package weight. Consult the full product brochure for detailed specifications on all configurations. Specifications subject to change without notice.

Typical Applications & Operating Environments for the DSD Series

  • Automotive Assembly & Stamping Plants: Supplies large volumes of pulse-free compressed air for robotic transfer lines, pneumatic presses, and centralized plant utilities operating across continuous shifts. 
  • Glass, Steel, & Heavy Materials Processing: Operates reliably in harsh, high-ambient environments where ambient dust is managed by split cooling zones and external coolers. 
  • Chemical & Polymer Manufacturing: Delivers critical process and instrumentation air with automated SCADA integration via SIGMA CONTROL 3 to maintain strict plant safety standards. 
  • Base-Load Utility Generation: Functions as the constant-output foundation in multi-compressor installations, working alongside a variable-speed (SFC) unit managed by a SIGMA AIR MANAGER 4.0 master controller.

Browse rotary screw compressors by rated horsepower (HP)

horsepower icon

Our 3-30 hp compressors use a space-savings v-belt drive design and many are available as complete compressed air systems with receiver tanks and integrated dryers. On larger units we use only true direct drive, providing maximum power transfer and efficiency from motor to airend. Options include integrated refrigerated dryers and variable speed drive.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the DSD 250 and the ESD 250?

Both units are powered by 250 HP motors. The ESD 250 utilizes a larger displacement airend and frame to deliver up to 1,278 acfm at 125 psig, compared to 1,075 acfm on the DSD 250. The ESD 250 is preferred when maximum CFM per kilowatt is required for large continuous baseloads.

Which water-cooling option is recommended for the DSD Series?

KAESER offers two water-cooling designs: stainless steel plate-type heat exchangers for closed-loop cooling circuits with clean cooling water, and copper-nickel (CuNi10Fe) shell-and-tube heat exchangers for marine, river, or cooling tower water subject to biological fouling or particulate buildup.

Should our plant purchase a fixed-speed DSD or a variable-speed (DSD SFC)?

In most industrial compressor rooms, the most efficient setup uses a fixed-speed DSD to supply the flat, constant base-load requirement, paired with a variable-speed (SFC) compressor to modulate and trim fluctuating production peaks. This combination avoids part-load inefficiency and cuts electrical utility bills.

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