What factors should producers take into account when choosing air-quality-improvement systems at the production?
To create an economical solution covering the entire process from the intake to the end points of air use, the entire system must be optimized.
The compressor room
A filter at the compressor inlet retains large particles (larger than 5 microns) to protect the compressor from damage. Smaller particles (light oils, hydrocarbons, contaminants) pass downstream.
Before drying
The pressure dew point in compressors is usually 82.2 °C (180 °F) or higher. When compressed air is cooled to a temperature of 37.8 °C (100 °F), more than 80 % of the water condenses. To remove all liquid aerosols, a mechanical (centrifugal) separator is used, which easily handles most of the liquid. After the separator, a coalescing filter is installed, which retains the remaining droplets.
Dehumidification
A refrigeration dryer lowers the pressure dew point to approximately 3.3 °C (38 °F), which is significantly below average room temperature. If the air-supply pipes run outside the premises or most of the air must be very dry (for example, for laboratories), a desiccant dryer is needed, which can lower the pressure dew point to -40 °C (-40 °F). In flow-rated systems, where refrigeration dryers are sufficient to treat most of the air, small desiccant dryers can be installed at the end points of the branch lines. This will minimize the pressure drop and the cost of replacing the desiccant.
How to choose the type of filters and their installation locations?
By installing a single filter of the rating required at the end of the process, you can reduce the total pressure drop, but this will significantly shorten the service life of the filter elements and they will need to be replaced or cleaned more often. Pre-filters with a higher rating and lower differential pressure will retain large particles, and the remaining contaminants will be removed by a fine filter. For this reason, the optimal solution is to install a sequence of particle filters and coalescing filters, starting with filters that retain the largest particles. If most of the air is directed to different consumers, for example to shop tools, laboratories and production lines, it is recommended to use filters with the maximum pore size to reduce the pressure drop.
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Industrial filter elements
Donaldson offers industrial filter elements for a wide range of systems for the efficient filtration of air, technical gases, as well as tank venting.
