A Guide to Compressed Air Filters

Compressed air filters keep dust, grime, oil, and water out of your equipment. When dirt and dust mingle with oil (which is common in compressors), a sticky mess can build up inside motors, valves, and other compressed air devices. You must install compressed air filters to safeguard your equipment. Learn about the different types of air filters and how to choose the right one for your compressed air system.

The Importance of Using Compressed Air Filters

Contaminants must be kept out of high-precision industrial operations. Your pneumatic equipment (cylinder or valve) requires a compressed air filter to operate with airflow that is free of oil aerosols, particles, and other lubricants. Compressed air raises the particle concentration per m³ in the atmosphere. Other pollutants are also present in the air leaving a compressor (water, dust, oil, rust). Filters must be linked to the airflow to absorb contaminants before they infect the system in order to get the cleanest air quality attainable.

Types of Compressed Air Filters

1. Activated Carbon Air Filters

Activated carbon filters are sometimes known as vapour removal filters, which accurately describe how carbon is utilized to attract and immobilize gaseous pollutants. Because of its vast surface area, carbon is a long-lasting filter material. However, as the filter grows increasingly saturated, the pressure must be reduced to provide the same level of filtering. The carbon filter must be serviced on a regular basis in order to sustain an acceptable level of pressure.

2. Coalescing Air Filters

Lubricants, aerosols, water, and other oil particles are removed from the air via coalescing air filters. They use pressure drops and the tortuous route operating principle to combine aerosols into droplets. Coalescing air filters collect particles because of their varied operation. To avoid contamination, they are captured alongside the aerosol particles, drained, and sent through an oil-water separator. Coalescing filters, like carbon air filters, must be replaced on a regular basis to minimize pressure drops.

3. Particulate Air Filters

These air filters clean compressed air of dust and other hazardous particles. The particle filter, like the membrane air dryer, employs a membrane that only allows air to flow through while excluding other impurities such as dirt, pollen, and dust.

How to Choose a Compressed Air Filter

There are various factors to consider when selecting a compressed air filter:

1. Environmental standards

Regardless of where they are in the compressed air system, compressed air filters are subjected to the ISO 8573 standard, which establishes the purity classifications of compressed air for the presence of oil, water, and solid particles.

2. The particle size to be filtered Filters that extract particles smaller than 1 micron are also available, mostly for pharmaceutical and food sector equipment. There are universal filters that eliminate particles ranging in size from 5 to 40 microns.
3. Temperature

What temperature will your compressed air filter function at? High-performance filters for temperatures above 450°C are also available.

4. The flow rate and pressure drop

Filters come in various sizes based on the flow to be regulated. These fluxes can reach 1,700 Nm3/h. To choose the correct size, you must first establish the optimum head loss for your filter. For optimal functioning, it is advised that pressure dips of more than 5 psi be avoided.

Air Quality Testing from Air Power East

Filtration is required because unfiltered compressed air may include oil, dust, moisture, corrosion, and other dangerous elements. When it comes to optimising your air treatment system, selecting the correct compressed air filter is critical. If you need assistance choosing the right compressed air filter for your system, get in touch with our team today, who would be more than happy to help and guide you. You can also arrange for air quality testing.