Since atmospheric air contains dust and other contaminants, it's important to remove such impurities from compressed air. In addition, many machines use oil for cooling and lubrication. With this in mind, installing air compressor filters is important for maintaining clean operations.
To elaborate, unwanted particles come from both intake air and oil within an air compressor. Both of these factors can lead to air system contamination, creating undesirable conditions.
It's also worth mentioning that as part of a comprehensive air compressor setup, filters are not a substitute for an air dryer. If you'd like more information on how that equipment removes moisture, read our related article.
This guide focuses on how filters and water separators improve air quality and properly remove and drain vapor and oil.
When choosing a filter, it's important to keep in mind International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 8573-1 and 12500-1 standards. Following these guidelines for your industry ensures the production of clean air.
To remove oil and dust, you'll require a coalescing filter. With this type, several layers separate liquids from air. They're also effective in removing dry particles.
If you're only concerned with solid pieces, a particulate filter contains hydrophobic material to attract only dry elements. For maximum effectiveness, it's important to be careful of high oil levels.
The amount and types of filters needed is determined by the application at each point of use. For most purposes, coalescing filters are suitable. They can achieve micron levels down to 0.01 at 1 bar(a) 14.5psia and 20oC (68F) or ISO Class 1 air purity.
With sensitive industries like food, medical, and chemical, you'll want to operate an oil-free compressor in addition to high quality filters. Achieving ISO Class 0 air purity is impossible through filtration alone. In addition, it's important to use a desiccant dryer for the cleanest possible air.
Due to their versatility, air compressor filters can be installed in different locations. If you're looking for the most efficient setup, it's usually best to filter compressed air before the main piping.
They can go before or after your air dryer, directly to your point of use. What you decide will depend on your particular components and application(s).
In addition, the size you require depends on flow rate. All our components are designed for maximum capability and easy maintenance.
With filters, it's advised to replace elements at least every 12 months. Not doing so can cause unwanted downtime, lower efficiency, and other problems such as corrosion.
Throughout their lifespan, filters face pressure variations, fluctuating temperatures, varying humidity levels, and chemical reactions. While your air may seem fine, it's worth investing in proper maintenance. This step helps remove any hidden threats to your workflow.
As contaminated water is removed from filtration and drying, you'll need a proper separator setup. This step is especially critical if your air compressor is oil-injected. Proper drainage to meet environmental guidelines and properly dispose of impurities is required.
Using centrifugal technology, a separator removes 99% of bulk water. Completing the process are various drains, including manual, automatic, and level-controlled. Our equipment is tested and certified to meet government regulations.
We hope this article provides you with enough information on compressed air filters, so you can make the best decision for your application(s). If you need help determining the right components, feel free to get in touch today. We're happy to point you in the right direction.