Compressed air treatment

Air filters are an essential component of your system. When the right filter is utilized for the appropriate application, it ensures the longevity of your system thus maximizing efficiency and reducing operating costs. The type of contaminant in your system will determine which is the right filter to use for prevention. Atlas Copco has assembled a dedicated team of experts to research, design and manufacture these filters best suited for your filtration needs.

Many tools and equipment, driven by compressed air, cannot withstand water or moisture. Many processes, using compressed air, are processing products which cannot withstand water or moisture. Inherent to the compression cycle, free water is often formed in the compressed air circuit. It can sustain bacteria growth or the moisture can be adsorbed by the processed product leading to quality deviations and product spoilage.

Our range of compressed air dryers protects your systems and processes in a reliable, energy-efficient and cost-effective way.

To start with, air filters consist of layers of glass fibre that are arranged in a mesh. Three different mechanisms come into play in this mesh:

• The first is inertial impaction which involves larger particles.
• The second mechanism, interception, involves relatively smaller-sized particles.
• The third mechanism is diffusion, which takes care of the smallest particles. 

The efficiency of an air filter is a combination of all three filter mechanisms. This is how air treatment is achieved with the help of inline air filters in compressed air systems.

It is also important to know the categories of air filters to choose from. The three main categories are coalescing, vapor removal and dry particulate.

Coalescing filters are typically used for the removal of aerosols and vapors. Vapor removal remove gaseous lubricants and dry particulate filters remove desiccant particles. It is important to pick the right inline air filter for your specific air treatment needs.

When ambient air is compressed, it concentrates the moisture that may be present, which leads to condensation. The function of a dryer in air treatment is to remove that moisture from the compressed air system. There are three main types to choose from refrigerant dryers, desiccant  dryers and HoC (Heat of Compression) dryers.

The refrigerant dryer may be used at different pressures and removes moisture through condensation. Desiccant dryers dry the compressed air in one tower while regenerating the desiccant in another tower. HoC dryers are the most energy-efficient of the three categories as they recycle the heat from the compressor in order to regenerate the desiccant.

Deciding on which air dryer is right for your compressor depends on the application and the equipment’s moisture tolerance levels. The right air dryer must provide air that suits your specific air treatment and application needs, as the wrong dryer can easily lead to mechanical issues with equipment and impact product quality.