Oil Vapor in Ambient Air: How is it affecting the quality of your compressed air?

Many companies, especially those in the food, beverage, pharmaceutical, cosmetics and electronics industries use compressed air as part of their manufacturing process. Often this compressed air will directly or in-directly contact production equipment, instrumentation, products & packaging materials. If this compressed air contains “oil”, the consequences can be high both financially and in terms of brand damage. For this reason, many companies specify the use of an oil-free compressor, in the mistaken belief that this will deliver “oil-free” compressed air to the critical applications.

Did you know?

• Ambient air is not oil-free and oil-free compressors are unable deliver oil-free air
• The addition of downstream filtration for the reduction of liquid oil, oil aerosols and oil vapor is required to deliver oil-free air
• As ambient air is compressed the hydrocarbons, VOC, and other contaminants are concentrated.
• This oil can also pass into the flow of compressed air from damaged seals and from vapors released by the crank case

In this white paper, Mark White - Compressed Air Treatment Applications Manager at Parker Hannifin Manufacturing Ltd, discusses the effect that ambient oil vapor levels can have on downstream compressed air quality and what to consider when looking for ‘Technically Oil-Free’ compressed air to ISO8573-1 Class 0 or Class 1 for total oil.

Advanced Solutions

Parker has introduced a new compressed air purification system. The OFAS Oil Free Air System is a fully integrated heatless compressed air dryer and filtration package suitable for use with any compressor type and can be installed in the compressor room or at the point of use. Fitted with a third adsorbent column for oil vapour removal, the OFAS has been third-party validated by Lloyds register to provide ISO 8573-1 Class 0, with respect to total oil from both oil-lubricated and oil-free compressors, ensuring the highest quality air at the point of use for critical applications.

Call us today at (855) 737-4717 to learn more, or fill out our online form and someone will get back to you.

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