Role of Filtration and Dryers in Achieving ISO Air Quality Standards

In the world of compressed air systems, air quality isn’t just a technical detail—it’s a key part of making sure everything runs smoothly. From powering sensitive tools to keeping production lines clean and efficient, clean air plays a bigger role than most people realize.

Whether you're bottling beverages, assembling electronics, or operating a manufacturing plant, removing contaminants from your compressed air is crucial. That’s where filtration and drying equipment come in, working together to protect your systems and your output.

Let’s take a closer look at what clean air really means, why it matters, and how you can meet international standards like ISO 8573-1 with the right setup.

Understanding ISO 8573-1: The Air Quality Standard

ISO 8573-1 is the global standard for compressed air purity. It sets clear guidelines for acceptable levels of:

• Solid particles (like dust or rust)
• Water (vapor and liquid)
• Oil (aerosol and vapor)

Each of these contaminants is measured on a scale—called a purity class—with Class 1 being the most stringent. Here’s a quick look at what that might mean:

Depending on your industry, you may need to meet higher or lower classes. For example, a pharmaceutical manufacturer may need Class 1 air across the board, while a general workshop might only need Class 4 or 5.

The Three Main Contaminants—and How to Remove Them

1. Solid Particles

These include everyday intruders like dust from the environment or rust from inside pipes. Left unchecked, they can wear out valves, clog tools, and cause general havoc in your system.

Solution: Filters

• Coalescing filters remove fine particles and liquid aerosols.
• Particulate filters trap dry dust and debris.
• Atlas Copco filters are built for efficiency with minimal pressure loss.

2. Water (Humidity)

Compressed air systems tend to collect moisture, which can lead to corrosion, bacterial growth, or product defects—especially in clean environments.

Solution: Air Dryers

• Refrigerant dryers offer a cost-effective solution for many applications, drying air to around +3°C PDP (Class 4).
• Desiccant dryers go even further, removing water vapor down to -70°C PDP—perfect for critical operations needing Class 1 or 2 air.

3. Oil

Oil contamination can come from compressor lubricants and is a serious concern in industries like food, electronics, or healthcare.

Solution: Multi-Stage Oil Removal

• Coalescing filters handle most liquid oil.
• Activated carbon filters are key to removing oil vapors and odors, achieving the cleanliness required for the strictest classes.

How to Build a System That Meets ISO Standards

Every air system is different, so the best approach is to match your air treatment components to your actual needs. Here’s a simplified example:

• ISO Class 2:2:2 may require:
  • A refrigerant dryer
  • A coalescing filter
  • A particulate filter
• ISO Class 1:1:1 will need:
  • A desiccant dryer
  • Coalescing filters
  • An activated carbon filter for vapor removal

With Atlas Copco’s modular systems, it's easy to scale your air treatment to meet the right standards for your operations—without overcomplicating things or overspending.

Why It Matters

You might not see air quality with the naked eye, but its effects are very real:

• Better Product Quality: Clean air helps avoid contamination and defects.
• Regulatory Compliance: Meeting ISO standards is often required in industries like pharma, food, and healthcare.
• Longer Equipment Life: Clean air protects machines from wear and corrosion.
• Reduced Downtime and Costs: Fewer failures mean fewer interruptions and lower maintenance bills.

A Reliable Partner in Clean Air

Air quality may not always take center stage, but it’s fundamental to getting the job done right. And you don’t have to figure it all out alone.

At Atlas Copco, we offer high-performance filtration and drying systems, along with the know-how to help you build a setup that’s efficient, reliable, and compliant with the standards you need to meet.

Whether you're unsure what class of air your industry needs or want to check how your current system is performing, we're here to help.

Get in touch with us to schedule a consultation or request an air audit today.