The 3-Stage Filtration Process
• Air Filter: Removes contaminants from the inlet air.
• Oil Filter: Removes contaminants from the lubricant.
• Oil Separator: Separates oil from compressed air.
Each stage uses increasingly fine filtration media, making them interdependent. For example, an air filter with too fine filtration may overload the compressor’s engine, while an air filter that is not fine enough may clog the oil filter, increasing the risk of fire. Therefore, all three filter types must perform optimally.
Atlas Copco genuine filters are built to work together, ensuring your entire system runs smoothly, reliably, and efficiently:
Genuine Air Filters
- High filtration efficiency
- Large dust collection capacity
- Low pressure drops to maintain compressor performance
Genuine Oil Filters
- Continuous oil flow with a bypass valve
- High-performance, temperature-resistant filter paper
- High dirt holding capacity
- Uniform paper pleat spacing for effective filtering
Genuine Oil Separators
- Low pressure drop for reduced fuel consumption
- High separation efficiency
- Interconnected parts to prevent electrostatic discharges
- High mechanical strength for durability
Next Generation Filters
Atlas Copco continually invests in R&D and innovation to ensure top filtration performance. Many Atlas Copco oil filters and oil separators feature next-generation technology. These filters require no tools for mounting and demounting, ensure higher part cleanliness, and reduce initial pressure loss. This next generation of filters is engineered to make maintenance effortless, improve serviceability, and enhance overall performance.
The High Price of a Cheap Filter
Are you considering saving money on a replacement filter? While it may seem that all filters are similar, there are significant differences in design, features, material quality, and potential consequences. The damage caused by a subpar filter can far exceed the cost of a genuine one.
Non-genuine filters can disrupt the synergy between the three filter stages, leading to higher energy consumption and increased total cost of ownership. More importantly, they pose safety risks and reduce reliability.
With a genuine filter, you know exactly what you’re getting in terms of quality and performance. In contrast, a non-genuine filter is essentially a Pandora’s box, with many known negative outcomes and unpredictable results:
Reliability Issues
- Faster lubricant aging
- No protection against corrosion
- Damage to critical components such as the compressor element
Safety Risks
- Risk of internal fire due to compromised electrical continuity
Compromised Efficiency
- Non-genuine filters, designed for broad use, cannot match the efficiency of filters specifically tailored for your compressor. This lower efficiency leads to increased fuel consumption, a major factor in the overall cost of owning a compressor
- Increased pressure drop
- No uniform paper pleat spacing, reducing the filtration area and efficiency
- Low oil separation efficiency resulting in increased oil consumption and fuel consumption
