Guidelines for an industrial air filtration installation
How to achieve Class O air quality?
Ensuring the highest level of air purity is crucial in many industries, particularly those that require exceptionally clean and particle-free air. Achieving Class 0 air quality, which signifies the highest level of air purity, involves careful planning and installation of a filtration system.
Here are some essential tips to help you achieve Class 0 for particles in your filtration system.
1. Use a Class 0 oil compressor
The foundation of achieving Class 0 air quality starts with using a Class 0 oil compressor. These compressors are designed to produce oil-free air, which is essential for maintaining the purity of the air throughout the filtration process. By eliminating the risk of oil contamination, you can ensure that the air remains clean and free from particles.
2. Combine with a desiccant dryer
A desiccant dryer is typically used in combination with a Class 0 oil compressor to remove moisture from the air. Moisture can carry particles and contaminants, so it's crucial to dry the air thoroughly before it enters the filtration system.
Desiccant dryers are highly effective in achieving low dew points, ensuring that the air is dry and ready for further filtration.
3. Install an afterfilter
After the air passes through the desiccant dryer, it should go through an afterfilter. This air filter captures the majority of particles, but it's important to note that it is not a Class 0 filter.
The afterfilter serves as a preliminary filtration step, removing larger particles and preparing the air for final filtration.
4. Use a final filter
To achieve Class 0 air quality, you need to install a final filter after the afterfilter. The final filter is designed to capture even the smallest particles, ensuring that the air is free from contaminants. This step is critical in achieving the highest level of air purity.
5. Opt for stainless steel piping
The choice of piping material can significantly impact the air quality. To reach Class 0 air particle-free air, it is recommended to use stainless steel piping from the dryer onwards.
Carbon steel or galvanized piping generate too many particles themselves, making it difficult to achieve compliance with Class 0 air quality. Stainless steel piping minimizes the risk of particle generation and maintains the purity of the air.
6. Prefer flanged connections
When installing the piping, ideally use flanged connections instead of threaded connections. Threaded connections are known to be bigger particle generators, which can compromise the air quality.
Flanged connections provide a more secure and particle-free connection, ensuring that the air remains clean throughout the system.
7. Flush the installation before use
Before putting the filtration system into operation, it's essential to flush the entire installation. Flushing removes any residual particles and contaminants that may have accumulated during the installation process. This step ensures that the system starts with a clean slate, maintaining the highest level of air purity from the beginning.
8. Equip for particle measurements
Having appropriate equipment to measure particles is crucial for maintaining clean air quality. The smaller the considered particles are, the less it is supported by measurement technologies.
Therefore, an investment in high-quality particle measurement equipment is necessary to accurately monitor the air so you can ensure it meets the required standards.
Conclusion on achieving Class 0 air quality
Achieving Class 0 air quality requires careful planning, the right equipment, and meticulous installation practices. By following these tips, you can ensure that your filtration system produces the highest level of air purity, meeting the stringent requirements of Class 0 standards.
Whether you're in the pharmaceutical, food and beverage, or electronics manufacturing industry, maintaining clean and particle-free air is essential for the quality and safety of your products and processes.