Why is Air Quality Important in Compressed Air Systems?

Air quality refers to how clean and pure the air is, whether we breathe it or use it in industrial processes. In compressed air systems, it’s all about the absence of contaminants like particles and moisture. Poor air quality can cause equipment damage and contaminate your end product.

The Importance of Compressed Air Quality

Compressed air is vital in numerous industries, including mining, manufacturing, textiles, and food processing. However, when compressing air, it often introduces contaminants such as dust, moisture, and oil from the surroundings and the equipment. These contaminants can lead to several issues, including:

• Production Downtime
• Product Contamination
• Increased Maintenance Costs
• Health Risks

ISO 8573-1 is the international standard for defining purity classes for compressed air. It covers three types of contaminants: particles, humidity, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), divided into seven purity classes. The lower the class number, the purer the air.

• Particles: Solid particles in compressed air can damage equipment.
• Humidity: Moisture can cause rust and promote microbial growth.
• Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): Oils and other VOCs can contaminate products and create health hazards.

Compressed air may contain different contaminants, such as:

• Particles: Dust and other solids often enter during compression.
• Humidity: Water vapor can condense, leading to rust and microbial growth.
• Oil: Lubricating oils from compressors can mix with the air, leading to contamination.

Maintaining high air quality in compressed air systems involves having the right equipment and consistent maintenance. Here are some effective solutions:

• Dryers: Use refrigerant or adsorption dryers to remove moisture from compressed air. This helps keep the air dry and prevents corrosion.
• Filters: Install filters to remove both particles and oil. Inlet filters catch different particle sizes, while coalescing filters collect water and oil droplets, effectively removing them from the system.
• Oil-Free Compressors: Oil-free compressors eliminate the risk of oil contamination, providing peace of mind, especially for sensitive applications.

Using oil-free compressors offers several advantages:

• No Oil Contamination: These compressors eliminate the risk of oil getting into your air system, ensuring maximum air purity.
• Compliance: Oil-free compressors help industries meet strict air quality standards like ISO 8573-1.

Choosing the right air testing methods and equipment is essential to ensure high air quality for your particular application or industry. Speaking with an expert can help identify the requirements and select suitable solutions for keeping your compressed air clean.