Inline compressed air filters are vital for having clean air for your applications and pneumatic tools. However, it can be difficult when trying to decide. Understanding the contaminants in your air supply and which filter types can remove them is the first step in selecting the right inline air filter for your system.
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In this article, we'll answer the following questions:
A poor air supply can be caused by multiple sources. For example, compressed air can become contaminated from dirty ambient air, humidity, oils leaking from the air compressor, corroded air lines, and even from the air filter itself. Understanding the contaminants and their origin is a good starting point for shops experiencing poor air.
The majority of the contaminants found in an air system are:
The dust and tiny particles in the ambient air around you are the same contaminants that can enter your system while it is running. Contaminants are different-sized microns and can cause varying kinds of damage depending on their form.
Compressed air can also become contaminated from oils within the air compressor, corroded air pipes, and poorly maintained air filters.
Compressed air filters pull out the bulky contaminants - like dust particles, particulates, oils, and liquid water - to prevent equipment damage and maintain air system performance.
Inline air filters for air compressors effectively remove liquid water, oils, oil vapors, dust, dirt, aerosols and other bulky particulates. There are three types of air filters designed to remove certain contaminants:
Water separators are designed to remove large particulates and liquid water.
Oil coalescing filters pull out oil vapors, small and fine particulates, and bulk oils from the air stream.
Activated carbon filters eliminate odors, tastes, and remove aerosols from the air flow.
Each of the three filters - oil coalescing, water separators, and activated carbon - are designed to target specific kinds of contaminants. To get the clean, dry air needed for your application it may require one, two, or even three air filters. This is dependent on which contaminants should be filtered out for your system to work the way it's intended.
These filters work by removing contaminants at a specific micron size: microns are particles that cannot be seen by the human eye. Depending on the amount of air filters installed on a system, the contaminants of different micron sizes filtered out can help the air become clean and dry, or just clean. There are ISO regulations that detail the class, particle sizes, and the pressure they can withstand. This is important to refer to when choosing the right compressed air filter for you.
Air quality requirements are different for every system. There isn't a one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to filtration for equipment - air quality requirements are different for every system. The way to find the filtration required for your air compressor system, is by reading the fine print on the machine and consider the application it is being used for.
There's also a set of standard ISO -05 regulations required for some industries.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of hydraulic driven air compressors. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.
It's important to know the filtration needed for specific air systems so they operate at their highest efficiency and do not dysfunction prematurely from not having the right inline air filter.
Download our air system schematic to understand how each air filter pulls out contaminants and how they pair with the most common air dryers.
There are a few considerations to make before purchasing an inline compressed air filter package:
We recommend some initial investigation of your compressed air needs and cleanliness goals. Here's a guided checklist to get started on selecting the right inline compressed air filter:
Selecting the right inline compressed air filter is a crucial step towards ensuring the efficiency and longevity of your pneumatic tools and applications. As we’ve explored, understanding the variety of contaminants in your air supply and the specific requirements of your system is fundamental. Inline air filters, ranging from water separators to oil coalescing filters and activated carbon filters, each play a distinct role in purifying your air supply.
Remember, the key to achieving optimal air quality lies not just in selecting the right filter type, but also in considering factors such as your system’s specific air requirements, ISO standards, and the desired outcome of your product or process. It’s not a one-size-fits-all situation; each system requires a unique combination of filters to meet its specific needs.
In conclusion, we recommend conducting a thorough assessment of your compressed air needs and cleanliness goals, followed by consulting with a compressed air professional. This approach ensures that you invest in a high-quality, appropriately sized filter setup that aligns with your maintenance schedule, leading to enhanced system performance and reduced operational costs.
Consider the last time you made coffee. No, not with a Keurig or a French press, with a good ole drip coffeemaker. You start with water, the cleaner the better, and quality roasted coffee beans. You use a reliable, efficient machine that will make your coffee strong, but not burnt. And you definitely use a filter.
Sure, you could make coffee without it, but the end result would grainy and gross, full of particles and pieces. That filter, the small piece of thin paper, plays a big role in crafting the perfect cup of joe.
Now consider your compressed air system. Just like a coffeemaker, your air compressor needs a filter. You may not be able to see them, but your compressed air is full of particulates, aerosols and vapors that contaminate your compressed air.
With an inline filter, you can remove any unwanted and potentially harmful particulates. But with so many to choose from, how do you ensure you pick the right filter for your compressor and application? Start by asking yourself these three questions:
This seems like a basic question, but it’s an important one. Knowing how clean your air needs to be is a first step to choosing a filter. If your air is being used for pneumatic purposes, you may be able to opt for a basic dry particulate filter as opposed to an OSHA-approved activated charcoal filter used for breathing air.
Some oil can still be present in air. If your application is sensitive to oil, installing an inline coalescing filter can limit damaging oil interacting with your end use. A mist eliminator can also be used as an alternative.
If you’re like most facilities, the answer is yes. Lower energy usage leads to lower power bills, and who doesn’t like that? High-efficiency filters can produce extremely clean air (think removing particulates less than 0.01 microns) while minimizing the pressure drop.
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