Motion Control & Drives


How to extend your filter element life

July 2017 Motion Control & Drives

High quality inline filter casings and the elements they contain, are an essential part of compressed air treatment. They are the primary defence for removing condensed water, particles, oils and vapours along with other debris, before it clogs and disables your pneumatic system.

To get the best service life from your inline filtration system the following should be observed:

• Install a simple centrifugal water separator prior to the first stage of filtration. This will remove condensed water and oils in liquid form. This reduces the workload on the remaining filters. It’s essential that a reliable automatic drain is used. Condensates must be removed as they accumulate. A separator has no internal filter element to block up, its long-term operating cost is limited to auto drain maintenance.

• The second and third phase of filters are normally coalescing type filters with micron ratings of 1 micron and 1 mg/m3 down to the second filter at 0.1 micron and 0.01 mg/m3 oil removal. These filters are the real workhorses of the system. Using direct impact Brownian motion, these elements remove contaminants through an automatic drain in the base of the casing.

• The final phase of filtration can be oil vapour removal, this level of filtration can be optional or mandatory depending on what the c/air is being used for. By using an activated carbon filter oil vapours can be removed from a c/air system quite easily. The elements and casing should not be exposed to liquids, the air should be as dry as practically possible to ensure reasonable element life. Activated carbon filters must be preceded by two high end coalescing filters to ensure that oils and liquids are removed prior to the activated carbon elements. A/carbon elements are not designed for liquid and solids removal. They are there to prevent the last traces of hydrocarbons from infecting the airline. The elements will have half the service life of a coalescing filter.

• Filters should be sized for air flow, we normally recommend to have a 20% overdesign on maximum air flow to ensure good (long) service life intervals. Filters should be fitted with a differential pressure gauge and changed when the pressure drop exceeds the specified limit. It must be remembered that water in your airline will eventually evaporate, oils do not evaporate, they can lay in a compressed air piping system for years creating havoc with your c/air quality plans.

If you are in an industry that demands high air quality, consider having regular audits for dew point, particle and oil monitoring carried out at regular intervals. Or install this equipment in the system and permanently monitor your air quality for dew point, particle and oil carry over. This can assist in preventing a breakthrough of contaminated air into the c/air system.

In terms of local environmental legislation it is against the law to allow oils from any source to pollute ground water. Use a simple and effective condensate separation system to prevent the pollution of our precious dams and rivers.

For more information contact Allen Cockfield, Artic Driers International, +27 (0)11 420 0274, [email protected], www.articdriers.co.za



Credit(s)



Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

Turbomachinery controls: the call of duty
Schneider Electric South Africa Motion Control & Drives
There’s a lot to be said about the unsung heroes of this world; those men, women and machines that deliver such important functions, often overlooked and recognised. One such machine is turbomachinery, and while the name does sound quite obvious to the layman, its rich history and daily functions are not.

Read more...
More movement in the market
Motion Control & Drives
Aerotech aims to revolutionise the market for precision motion and machine controls with an intuitive control platform.

Read more...
Tapered roller bearings for wind turbines
Motion Control & Drives
A leading European manufacturer of wind turbines will use NSK’s tapered roller bearings with high load capacity in the gearboxes of its 15 MW class offshore wind turbines. The decision to specify the next-generation NSK roller bearings hinged on several key factors.

Read more...
Efficient maintenance counts
Bearing Man Group t/a BMG Motion Control & Drives
BMG’s total plant management solutions encompass a technical advisory service for maintenance programmes that includes correct chain and sprocket selection, which is a critical factor in any power transmission system.

Read more...
Automating drive systems for efficiency and reliability
SEW-EURODRIVE Motion Control & Drives
Already in use by leading global manufacturers in South Africa, SEW-EURODRIVE’s innovative MOVI-C modular automation system will bring a new level of flexibility, integration and efficiency to a wide range of sectors.

Read more...
Monitoring vibration allows for equipment longevity
Iritron Motion Control & Drives
Unscheduled downtime and maintenance on machines is often a source of frustration for many companies active in industrial manufacturing as it results in loss of process and productivity, which in turn equates to loss of revenue.

Read more...
Driving innovation in robotics and automation
Yaskawa Southern Africa Motion Control & Drives
Maintaining a competitive edge in a rapidly changing industrial landscape means embracing new technologies and adapting to evolving market demands. Yaskawa Southern Africa has positioned itself as a leader in robotics and automation, particularly in areas such as palletising, materials handling and advanced manufacturing

Read more...
Regular maintenance of cutting fluids is essential to maintain quality
Motion Control & Drives
Regular cleaning and maintenance of cutting fluid systems significantly enhances overall efficiency by extending the life of the cutting fluids, reducing downtime and improving the quality of the end products.

Read more...
Tough chain and induction hardened sprockets
Bearing Man Group t/a BMG Motion Control & Drives
BMG’s Tsubaki Titan chain series offers significant improvements in wear life, particularly in demanding applications like abrasive and dusty conditions.

Read more...
Rethinking common approaches to wire rope lubrication
Motion Control & Drives
Wire ropes are hard-working components in many different applications, from mines to lifts, ports, construction sites and drainage systems. Correct lubrication of wire ropes is absolutely critical because wire ropes are more than just cables, they are intricate machines composed of interdependent parts in constant motion.

Read more...