Ensuring your air is healthy
When air is compressed it can contain condensed water, oil or other impurities passing from the compressor through the air line to your equipment.
The results of moisture in your compressed air system can be catastrophic to your equipment.
The images below illustrate the difference between a pump that has been filtered, maintained and been in operation for years, vs a pump that had no moisture filtration and only 1 month old!
So how can you reduce moisture related equipment failure?
The main difference between a Desiccant Dryer and a Filer/Regulator is how each component captures the moisture created when compressing air.
Desiccant Dryers aim to capture moisture in its vapour form that filter/regulator may not be able to filter, it filters the gaseous moisture created by the compressed air when it is in its high temperature form. As the air cools it becomes denser and forms droplets, and that’s where a filter/regulator is great at capturing the moisture whilst its in its liquid form.
When used in conjunction, a Desiccant Dryer and Filter/Regulator are an excellent low cost solution to protecting your equipment.
Desiccant Dryers
A Desiccant Dryer is a low cost investment which could save you thousands in maintenance repairs.
Every workshop that operates compressed air is susceptible to moisture related equipment damage. It is not your compressor’s fault rather pure physics, and the amount of water produced varies due to relative humidity + ambient temp + load cycle. A workshop based in a high humidity region like Cairns or Darwin will produce more water than a workshop in Adelaide, Melbourne, or Hobart.
Deciccant Dryers absorb this moisture BEFORE it reaches your equipment!
Desiccant Dryer installed in conjunction with a Air Filter Regulator.
Air Filter Regulators
An Air Filter/Regulator is great way of trapping liquid moisture in your compressed air system. The filter component helps to ‘clean’ the air and remove foreign matter before reaching your equipment.
The Regulator component ensures that the air pressure delivered to the pump (or other pneumatic tool) is delivered as per the manufacturer recommendations. They prevent pulsing or surging and are fitted with an adjustment knob that is used to regulate the pump and its operating speed.
Compressor maintenance
Systems should be depressurised at least weekly to ensure the poppet valve in FLR can open and drain moisture that has been captured. Failure to follow this step will result in pneumatic pumps being supplied ‘wet air’ which will void their warranty.
(Typical) Maintenance Schedule:
Manufacturers handbook should always be followed to ensure the service scheduled is followed, failure to do so will potentially cause premature failure or increase overall maintenance costs.
Before any maintenance work can commence on the pneumatic system, it should be depressurised, switched off and ‘lock out tag applied.
Weekly Checks:
Drain the condensate.
Check oil/air leaks.
Monthly Checks:
Inclusive of Weekly Checks the following should be conducted
Check oil level.
Check electric connections.
Check condensate into the oil.
Functional check cooling fan.
Check oil recovery.
Check pressure setting.