Why Should You Frequently Change Air Filter Elements?
Air compressors are a crucial component in industrial settings and are commonly employed in tools for manufacturing. This technology is easy to use, cost-effective, and generally reliable with long operational lifespans. However, like all tools and equipment, it is important to perform regular maintenance on air compressors to ensure their optimal performance. In this blog, we will highlight the importance of regularly inspecting and changing air filters, which are a critical element in air compressor technology.
In any application where air compressor technology is used, it is necessary for the air to remain free of contaminants and liquids that could cause serious damage and equipment failure. Since millions of dirt, oil, or liquid particles may exist in a single cubic foot of compressed air, every system uses an air line filter to prevent these particulates from entering the equipment. An air line filter comprises several components that help trap particulates while moving the air in the correct direction. A brief explanation of each of these elements is thus provided:
Inlet: Compressed air enters the filter through the inlet. This crucial component forces the air to swirl in a spiral pattern, which removes 80% of dirt on the first pass.
Filter Discharge: The discharge port allows air to exit the filter. If this piece is misaligned or incorrectly sized, the air will have trouble escaping the filter.
Filter Element: The filter element is the part of the system that actually does the filtering. This is the most crucial component to inspect and replace, as it will inevitably become dirty and dysfunctional over time.
Filter Quiet Zone: Any particulates collected by the filter will end up in the quiet zone. It is situated at the bottom of the system so as not to allow any contaminants to be reabsorbed by the air.
Drain: The contaminants exit the filtering system through the drain, which can either be electric and automatic or manual depending on the model.
While the entire air compressor system is constantly exposed to harsh conditions, the filter element is especially vulnerable to extreme temperatures, pressure changes, and corrosive chemicals. As such, the filter element has a shorter lifespan. If the filter element were to not be replaced after the suggested timeframe, the associated equipment would likely underperform in its routine operation, or worse, an employee could get injured.
Regularly inspecting and changing the air filter element is usually inexpensive and yields several benefits in return. First, it protects both equipment and personnel from potentially harmful contaminants. Poor air quality could lead to several short and long-term health problems for employees, and overheating or malfunctioning equipment typically results in costly downtime. Customers also face an additional risk from incorrect product manufacturing as well as lingering contamination. Additionally, frequently changing the filter element will help reduce operational costs by improving equipment function, preventing expensive repairs, and decreasing energy costs that could step from a harder-working compressor. A well-functioning filter element also increases the service life of the compressor as a whole.
Whether you are looking to upgrade or replace your air compressor filtering system, Methodical Purchasing is your number one source for high-quality equipment. As a leading industrial parts distributor, we help customers secure rapid lead times and cost savings on our unprecedented inventory of over 2 billion components. Also, with our various quality assurance measures and NO CHINA Sourcing policy, customers can rest assured that they are receiving the highest-caliber products possible. Moreover, we offer expedited shipping to both domestic and international customers alike at all times, thanks to our global distribution network. Submit an RFQ through our website today to experience the ASAP difference.
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