How to Choose the Right Filter for Your Application

Think about the last time you took your car in for service, and they recommended you change the filter in your car. It’s annoying and makes you roll your eyes; it is essential though for increased gas milage.

Just like your car, your air compressors filter needs to be changed on a regular basis as well. You can’t see them, but air is filled with particulates, aerosols, and vapors that contaminate your compressed air. An air filter helps clean the air as it passes through.

With an inline filter, you can remove any unwanted and potentially harmful particulates. But with some many options to choose from, how do you pick the right filter for your compressor and your application?

There are a few things you need to consider before purchasing a filter. The first step is to find out what type of contaminants you must protect your system from, and the air purity class required for your application.

Next you need to figure out how clean your air needs to be. It seems like a no brainer but knowing how clean your air needs to be is the most important step to choosing a filter. If your air is being used for pneumatic purposes, you may be able to opt for a basic dry particulate filter as opposed to an OSHA-approved activated charcoal filter used for breathing air.

Will your process or end products be damaged by oil? Some oil can still be present in air. If your application is sensitive to oil, installing an inline coalescing filter can limit damaging oil interacting with your end use. A mist eliminator can also be used as an alternative.

Energy Efficiency - Today energy efficiency in your facility is becoming more and more important. The rising costs of doing business makes it important to save costs where applicable. Lower energy leads to lower power bills. High-efficiency filters can produce extremely clean air, removing particulates less than 0.01 microns, while minimizing the pressure drop.

There is quite a bit to consider when trying to decide what filter you need. If you still aren’t sure what type of filter is right for your facility, reach out to one of our experts to find the right products.