Not all compressed air is the same. Find out why air quality matters, what your system needs, and how the right setup can protect your equipment and improve efficiency and stay in line with industry standards.
In various industries, compressed air systems play a crucial role in a wide variety of manufacturing and commercial applications. The quality of air used in these systems can significantly impact their product quality, operational efficiency and compliance with industry standards. Therefore, understanding and maintaining the appropriate air quality standards is essential for optimal performance.
The Importance of Air Quality in Compressed Air Equipment
Compressed air systems are susceptible to a range of contaminants, including particles, water and oil. If the compressed air system has not been designed for your industry-specific requirements, it has the potential to cause major problems to product quality and operating expenses.
That’s why compressed air quality testing is vital, this is especially important for industries such as food and beverage and pharmaceutical , where the air comes into direct contact with the product or indirect contact with the packaging or equipment.
Contaminants in Compressed Air Systems
Several types of contaminants can affect the quality of air in compressed air systems:
- Particulates: Dust, dirt, and other solid particles can enter the system through intake air or be generated within the system itself. These particles can cause abrasion and blockages in components, leading to reduced efficiency and increased maintenance costs.
- Water: Air contains water vapor, which can condense into liquid water within the compressed air system. This moisture can cause corrosion and freeze in cold environments.
- Oil: Compressed air systems can be contaminated by oil from compressors or lubricants used in the system. Oil can damage sensitive equipment, degrade air quality for breathing applications, and contaminate products in industries such as food processing and pharmaceuticals.
This is why it is important that your compressed air systems undergo strict, quality air treatment to ensure that the compressed air purity is safe and meets expectations. The compression process should have effective air filters that remove solid and liquid impurities that ensure that there is clean, oil-free air throughout the industrial process.
Air Quality Standards
To ensure the appropriate quality of air in compressed air systems, several standards and classifications have been established. The International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) sets three such standards, ISO 8573, ISO 12500, and ISO 7183. Which standards you should apply will depend on the specific contaminants you aim to remove and the purification equipment you will rely on to do so. Each contaminant is assigned a class, with lower numbers indicating higher purity levels.
ISO 8573-1:2010
ISO 8573-1:2010 is the international standard for compressed air quality. It categorises air quality into different classes based on the concentration of particulates, moisture, and oil. The standard provides a framework for selecting the appropriate air quality based on the specific requirements of different applications.
Ensuring Proper Air Quality
Maintaining the appropriate air quality in a compressed air system involves several steps, including appropriate filtration and drying equipment, routine maintenance and monitoring the air quality of your system on a regular basis. With industries that require higher air quality such as food, consumables and medical facilities, oil free compressors and clean breathing air are a must at all times.
Application-Specific Air Quality
Different applications have varying air quality requirements. For example:
- Medical and Dental: High-purity air is essential to prevent contamination and ensure patient safety.
- Food and Beverage: Compressed air used in direct contact with products must be free of oil and contaminants.
- Pharmaceutical: Stringent air quality standards are necessary to prevent contamination of products.
Ensuring high air quality in compressed air systems is vital operational success. By understanding contaminants, adhering to relevant standards, and implementing proper system design and maintenance, you can ensure your compressed air meets the necessary purity levels for your applications.