Choosing The Right Filter For Your Air Compressor System

Do you know that an excellent air compressor can fail to do its job properly even with an amazing air filter? Yes, it can happen. And when it does, it’s not because they are faulty. It’s because their types didn’t match. 

So, what do you do to ensure you’re choosing the right filter for your air compressor system? For starters, you read this article and find out on your own!

What Are The Factors To Consider When Choosing An Air Compressor Filter?

When exploring your options for an air compressor filter, you should consider multiple factors. That way, you can ensure the air quality reaches an optimal level and your air compressor system runs efficiently. See the factors below, and then find your perfect match in our filter range.

Requirements Of Air Purity 

The requirements of air purity play a vital role in the selection of your air compressor filter. Although dry, clean air benefits most applications of compressed air, how clean it needs to be for the specific applications depends on their uses. 

For example, the air needed to inflate your tires won’t mind if there’s a little contamination. But if it is a medical application, contamination is totally out of the picture. The air must be as clean as possible.

To give you a further idea about the required filtration efficiency based on different applications, here are more examples. 

• Basic air compressor filters should have efficiencies ranging from 0.3 to 1 microns for a pneumatic system. 

• For food processing, pharmaceutical, and medical applications, a filter’s efficiency should be 0.01 microns. Besides, it must remove gases, vapors, and aerosols from the air. 

• An efficiency of 0.1 microns is suitable for paint lines and other applications. A low amount of oil carryover may be accepted. 

Operating Area’s Environment

The environment of the operating area, including humidity, airborne contaminants, and temperature, can impact an air compressor filter’s performance. The moisture in the compressed air can increase if the humidity level is high. Then, if the area has lots of dust and other particles, it will require frequent filter replacements.

Air Compressor Types 

This one is a crucial factor you must take into account. As the owner’s instructions say, a filter should be right for its compressor in terms of type and size. That brings up the main question: Do you have an oil-free or oil-flooded air compressor system? 

Now, why does that matter? 

• As the name suggests, an oil-free compressor does not need an oil filter. The issue of oil carryover is also not a problem. That means you can cross off a coalescing filter from your list because its main task is to take out oil content from compressed air. Then again, if you need the moisture content gone, you might consider it. 

• So, since an oil compressor is essential for a high level of purity, you can go for a robust and efficient dry particulate filter. To add another layer to remove gas and vapor, you can bring an activated carbon filter to get your desired output.

• But what if you have an oil-flooded air compressor? In that case, you have to select a filter particularly designed to remove oil, i.e., a coalescing filter.

• On the contrary, maybe you need only a basic filtration system for your HVAC systems to stave off dust particles. For that purpose, a particulate air filter will serve you the best. They are great at keeping the indoor air safe, breathable, and clean. 

Usage Frequency 

Facilities with continuous operation and huge air demand can require sophisticated filtration systems featuring higher-capacity air compressor filters. They are specifically made to perform effectively where the operation continues nonstop for a particular amount of time. 

If you need such filters, look for something that requires low maintenance. For instance, you can get automatic drains to decrease the maintenance requirements of your filter in high-production facilities. On the other hand, if your workplace does not have a lower demand for clean air, or the usage is not for constant periods, you can select a more budget-friendly filtration system. 

Flow Rate 

It refers to the air volume that passes through a filter per minute or second. Its usual measurement is liters per second (L/s) or cubic feet per minute (CFM). The filter you choose should have a flow rate that either matches or surpasses the output of your air compressor system. Otherwise, the filtration may have reduced efficiency or restrictions. 

How Do I Ensure I Have A High-Quality Air Filter? 

Okay, say, you have decided on the filter type after assessing the factors above. Now, look at the criteria below. They will help you get a high-quality filtration system for your air compressor. 

Quality 

Let me say it first. A quality filter may exceed your budget, but it will be worth it in the long run. Besides lasting longer, it will need less maintenance. Additionally, it will be more efficient at blocking contaminants than a mediocre one, generating optimal results for your application. 

Filter Media 

A filter media is what does the main job. It captures and takes out dust particles. Common materials of a filter media are paper, stainless steel, cellulose, synthetic materials, or polyester. 

Each has its individual characteristics that can affect a filter’s pressure drop, life span, and performance efficiency. Choose one that serves your purpose properly. Remember, at this point, you should consider the operating environment, humidity levels, and temperature. 

Service Life 

It indicates the estimated operating time before you should replace your air filter or have it serviced. A long service life decreases downtime along with maintenance costs. 

Again, think of the operating environment and choose an air filter that can cope with it spontaneously. This may be costly, but also very rewarding. 

Does Pressure Drop Have Anything To Do With Selecting An Air Filter?

Remember I talked about filtration efficiency when discussing air purity requirements? When you select a filter for your air compressor, you will have to make a bit of a tradeoff between that and pressure drop.

Let me explain. Pressure drop is the difference between the air pressure before the filter and after the filter. A higher pressure drop says that the system has to work harder to push compressed air through the filter, and vice versa. 

Now, a high filtration efficiency needs a high pressure drop because it needs a dense filter media to do a great cleaning job. This means you have to find a balance between these factors to get clean air at lower operational and energy costs. 

So, yes, it has a lot to do with your filter selection. Pick one that has the required filtration efficiency for the application while reducing pressure drop to deliver the desired performance at a reasonable cost.

Read More: how to install an air compressor filter quickly and safely.

Final Words 

In conclusion, when choosing the right filter for your air compressor system, remember the air purity requirements, the operating area’s environment, air compressor types, usage frequency, and flow rate. Also, don’t forget the pressure drop! 

To get the best filter for your chosen filter, consider its quality, filter media, and service life. 

All of this requires thoughtful consideration and maybe a good investment of money. Take your time with both. Know you have won when you get the returns in the long term.