A Guide to Maintaining Compressed Air Quality

Evergreen | 07-Aug-2020

Compressed air plays a major role in the manufacturing process of various industries. Clean compressed air is safe and provides the energy that is required for trouble free operation. It is important to maintain the quality of your compressed air system to ensure clean and dry air.This prevents contamination, downtime and saves money. Reliable, efficient and cost effective compressed air system is vital for food, textiles and pharmaceutical industries.

Common air quality issues within the compressed air system

The most common issues that reduce the efficiency of air compressors are particulates, moisture and lubricants. The adverse effects can cause contamination of the product, lowers the air quality and reliability of the system.

1. Particulates

Particulates are the small pieces of solid materials that are suspended in the air. These dust particles usually go unnoticed but their presence can have major effects on the air compressor’s performance.

2. Moisture

Hot air produced from the air compressors results in high levels of moisture content in the form of humidity. The moisture build up can damage the pipe and shortens the life of the compressed air system thus affecting the air quality.

3. Lubricants

For efficient working some compressed air systems require lubrication. The correct amount of lubrication is required to maintain the quality of the system. However, the application of lubricant either too less or more can damage the system and cause serious concerns. To avoid these problems, industries like food and pharma require lubricant free compressors also widely referred to as Oil Free Compressors.

Air quality standards

The air quality standards vary for each country depending on their production and manufacturing process. To obtain quality air the compressed air system should meet the required standards. When the air is filtered above the tolerable level, it can reduce the cost efficiency. Avoid using equipment that is not required. The more equipment used, the more chances of damage. The key is to find the best level of filtration that suits your needs.

Methods to ensure air quality

1. Filters - Filters are specially designed to remove the particulate matters from the system. Sometimes they are also used to filter excess lubricants and maintain the right amount of lubrication.

2. Aftercoolers - The aftercoolers are used to cool down the hot air before it reaches the end application. Once the air is cooled the water is removed leaving the air close to the surrounding temperature.

3. Dryers - Dryers are also used to avoid the moisture build up in the compressed air system. Rather than cooling the air, the dryers lower the dew point to reduce the moisture build up.

The Evergreen service team can help you maintain the air quality in your compressed air systems. Reach [email protected] out to us for more and follow us on our social media channels for tips and guidance to achieve maximum efficiency of your business processes.

Source: https://blog.elgi.com/global-stories/your-guide-to-maintaining-compressed-air-quality/