Filters

Choosing the Right Compressed Air Filters for Compressor Rooms 

Compressor air filters are required components in compressed air systems. They ensure the purity and quality of the compressed air being delivered. They primarily remove contaminants, such as oil, water vapour, dirt, and other particulates, from the compressed air stream. 

Here’s a comprehensive buying guide for compressed air filters intended for compressor rooms: 

At Topring, we offer two types of filters for the compressor room with different micron-level filtration: 

Particulate filters 

Designed to remove solid particles like dust, rust, and other debris from compressed air. They typically use paper, polyester, or other fibrous materials to trap particles of various sizes. 

M5 Filtration: 

• General-purpose dust filtration 
• Particle removal down to 5 microns 

Applications: Compressed air without specifications 

M3 Filtration: 

• For coarse pre-filtration 
• Particle removal down to 3 microns 

Applications: Compressed air without specifications 

M1 Filtration: 

• For general filtration 
• Particle removal down to 1 micron 
• Maximum residual oil content (aerosol): 0.1 mg/m3 at 20 °C 

Applications: General shop air, air tools, sandblasting, grinding 

M01 Filtration: 

• For high-performance filtration 
• Particle removal down to 0.01 microns 
• Maximum residual oil content (aerosol): 0.01 mg/m3 at 20 °C 

Applications: Air instruments spray painting 

Activated Charcoal Filters 

Activated charcoal filters effectively remove odours and vapours from compressed air. They work by adsorbing gaseous contaminants onto the surface of the carbon particles. 

AC Filtration: 

• Activated carbon filter applicable for oil-lubricated compressors. 
• For removal of oil content down to 0.003 mg/m3 at 20 °C in conjunction with filter grade M01 

Applications: Food processing/ beverages, pharmaceuticals, laboratory, chemicals 

Understanding Your Requirements: 

Before purchasing compressed air filters, assess your specific requirements. Consider factors such as the type of contaminants present in the air, required air purity levels, flow rate, pressure, and compressed air temperature. 

Identify Contaminants: 

Determine the types of contaminants you need to remove from the compressed air. Common pollutants include oil aerosols, water vapour, dust, dirt, rust, and microorganisms. Identify which filters are suitable for effectively removing these contaminants. Refer to the online catalogue (#18) GR1-S53-P2 - P4 for an ISO standard classes of air quality reference table typical filtration configuration diagram per air quality level. This will help you determine what type of filter and micron level is required for your specific application. 

Sizing and Capacity: 

Ensure that the selected filters are appropriately sized to handle your compressed air system's flow rate and pressure. Consider inlet nominal size, filter capacity, and pressure drops to avoid bottlenecks and ensure efficient operation. 

Drain Type: 

Although these filters (except for the activated charcoal filter) come with automatic drains, a compressor room contains a lot of condensate; therefore, adding an external drain would be beneficial. 

Mechanical (Automatic): 

• Remote or harsh environments where electronic vulnerability or limited power exists. 
• It is ideal for general industrial applications with low condensate production and less strict air loss criteria. 
• Suitable for downspouts lacking power supply. 

Zero Air Loss (Automatic): 

• It is well suited for rapid condensate buildup in high-volume compressed air systems. 
• It is ideal for critical applications and industries prioritizing energy efficiency or sensitive processes. 
• Ensures frequent drainage without wasting compressed air.