Compressed air treatment

Compressed air can contain unwanted substances, for example, vapor, oil, dust and microorganisms. In the absence of an air treatment system, moisture and contaminants can impair production efficiency, damage the application, and increase costs. The purpose of air treatment is to produce compressed air to the quality specified by the consumer.

The removal of contaminants from the air stream with the right inline air filter can significantly lower operating costs, extend the service life of air treatment systems and pneumatic equipment and ensure that even the most stringent air purity standards are met. .

Similarly our air dryer solutions can help eliminate moisture from compressed air, prevent corrosion, equipment breakdown, and product damage. These compressed air treatment solutions protect your systems and processes in an energy-efficient, cost-effective and environmentally aware way. .

Air filters

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.

Explore air filter blogs and videos

Compressed air quality

Compressed air quality

Types of contaminants in compressed air

Types of contaminants in compressed air

How clean is your compressed air

Compressed air filter commercial image installation application

How clean is your compressed air

How to remove contaminants from compressed air

an illustration about air treatment for the atlas copco wiki pages

How to remove contaminants from compressed air

Filters play a crucial role in the proper treatment of compressed air. In this interactive e-book on compressed air filters you will learn everything on contaminants and which filters offer you optimal protection.

Do you have specific questions or would you like to discuss which filter is the right solution for your business? Click the button below to get in touch with an expert!

Air Treatment - Atlas Copco New Zealand

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Explore our air filters

DD(+) and PD(+) oil coalescing filters

Our high-performance oil-coalescing filters remove oil aerosol, wet dust and water drops from compressed air.

Dust filtration for your air compressor

Are you looking to protect your compressed air system from dust? Then Atlas Copco has the perfect filter for you – the DDp+/PDp+ series

Coalescing filters for optimal protection

Are you looking for coalescing filters for wet dust and oil aerosols to protect your compressed air system? Then check out Atlas Copco’s DD+/PD+ and UD+ series

High pressure filtration

Are you looking for high-pressure filtration to protect your compressed air system from a wide range of contaminants? Then Atlas Copco has the perfect filter for you – the H series

Oil vapor filtration for air compressors

Are you looking for oil-vapor filtration to protect your compressed air system from oil vapors? Then Atlas Copco has the perfect filters for you – the QDT and QD+ series.

Water droplet filtration for compressed air systems

Are you looking for a water droplet filtration for your compressed air system to protect it from water droplets? Then Atlas Copco has the perfect solution for you – the WSD water separator.

Breathing Air Purifier BAP(+)

High quality air is of vital importance to many industries but even more in breathing air applications like pharmaceutical manufacturing and spray painting.

Silicone-free filtration for air compressors

Do you need silicone free filtration to protect your compressed air system from a wide range of contaminants? Then check out Atlas Copco’s SFA series of silicone free air filters.

Air dryers

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.

Explore air dryer blogs and videos

Refrigerated air dryers

Refrigerated air dryers

Drying by Over compression

Drying by Over compression

Absorption and adsorption drying

Absorption and adsorption drying

Variable speed drive refrigerant air dryer

Variable speed drive refrigerant air dryer

What is structured desiccant

What is structured desiccant

This e-book on compressed air dryers will tell you all about moisture and the important role of dryers in air treatment.

Do you have specific questions or would you like to get in contact with an expert? Click the button below and we will contact you shortly.

Explore our air dryers

Desiccant Air Dryers

CO2 removal unit

For applications requiring dry and CO2 free air, our CO2 removal unit protects your compressed air systems and maintains the quality of your end product.

MDG & MD & ND rotary drum dryers

The MDG, MD & ND are highly cost-effective rotary drum dryers. Constant supply of dry air, extremely low power consumption. For oil-free air applications.

CD+ Desiccant compressed air dryers with Cerades technology CD+ 20-335. coverimage

CD+ with Cerades™

The first dryer to use the revolutionary Cerades™ desiccant developed and patented by Atlas Copco.

BD+CD+XD+ twin tower desiccant air dryers

Highly energy-efficient desiccant air dryers. For intensive, constant use. Ideal for critical processes, including oil-free, from 25 to 3600 l/s.

Refrigerant Air Dryers

F refrigerated air dryer

Our F series refrigerant dryers keep your compressed air system in optimal shape, removing humidity efficiently and reliably. See more

FD refrigerated air dryer

The FD air dryer guarantees a low life cycle cost, an accurate dew point and a fast return on investment

FD 300 VSD Refrigerant Air Dryer FD 100-300 with Variable Speed Drive control

FD VSD

Cut energy cost, prevent damage and boost performance in your compressed air system with Atlas Copco’s FD VSD Variable Speed Drive refrigerant air dryer.

FX industrial refrigerant air dryers for compressors

Reduce operational costs and risks: remove moisture from your compressed air with Atlas Copco’s FX refrigerant dryers. Solid performance, highly reliable. See how

Membrane Air Dryers

SD membrane dryers for compressed air

Capacity FAD l/s : 1.5 l/s - 55 l/s
Capacity FAD : 5.4 m³/h - 198 m³/h
Working pressure : 7 bar(e) - 13 bar(e)

SDR membrane dryers for railway compressors

Remove residual oil particles and moisture with our railway-certified membrane air dryers. Specifically designed for tough railway conditions. See how

How do air filters work?

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.

How do air dryers work?

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.