Taking Care Of The Air Filters In Your Industrial Air Compressor
Running a manufacturing or industrial facility means that you need to own a variety of machines and pieces of equipment so your shop runs as smoothly as possible. If you utilize pneumatic tools, then an industrial air compressor is likely one of the more important items within your facility. Air compressors require some maintenance so they can run like they should for many years. Maintaining the air filters is one of the more important jobs that need to be completed. If you need some tips on how to take care of the air filters, then keep reading.
Why Do Air Filters Need to Be Cleaned?
Your commercial air compressor will contain two different air filters, and each filter is responsible for removing small amounts of dust and debris. This allows clean air to flow to your pneumatic tools. If clean air is not supplied, then dirt and debris will shoot through the rubber air hose once it is connected. The dirt will move into the engine or along the various gears that line the inside of the pneumatic tool. These bits of debris can then wear away at the steel parts inside that are required to keep the device moving and working properly.
Dirty air can flow through hoses if air filters are not present or if they are dirty. Dirty filters also decrease the amount of air pressure that is released through valves and hoses. Your pneumatic tools require a certain amount of pressure per square inch to keep engines and gears moving. When air pressure drops, then tools may not work properly. This is especially true if you utilize air hammers, dampers, sand blasters, pavement breakers, jackhammers, rock drills, and other types of tools that need more than a few pounds per square inch of air pressure to run.
How Do You Clean the Filters?
To clean the filters in your air compressor locate the two devices. One filter will be located close to the air intake opening on the machine. The other filter will sit in the piping just after the compressor motor and before the outlet valve. Both filters will probably be encased in a plastic holder, so use a screwdriver to remove the casings and put them aside. Remove both the filters and look for signs of oil, grease, or other difficult-to-remove types of debris. If the filters only appear dusty or dirty, then use a can of compressed air or a vacuum cleaner to remove the debris.
If one or both filters are a dingy gray color, then consider soaking them in a warm water and dish soap solution. Do not use any strong cleaners to release debris, because most air filters are made out of pleated paper, fiberglass, or spun fiber materials. Filters are usually quite delicate and any strong bases or acids that come into contact with the filters can burn large holes in the materials, making the filters unusable and inefficient. After the filters soak for several hours, use warm water to rinse them clean and let them air dry completely before you replace them. If the filters remain dirty or if they appear to contain grease, then you need to completely replace them.
How Do You Replace the Filters?
If you decide to replace the air compressor filters, then look for filter varieties that fit the make and model of your air compressor. You may have many options available to you, so make sure the filter removes about 99.9% of particulates. Be aware that a filter that is even 99.8% effective instead of 99.9% will allow about twice as much dust to pass through the filter. Also, the filter must match the rate of air flow that you need to pass through the unit. Otherwise, pressure will drop significantly and your tools will not work. Consider the pressure per square inch that typically flows from the compressor and locate a filter that allows for this type of flow.
Your air compressor is an important device in your industrial facility, so make sure that you treat it right by taking care of the filters. Cleaning is necessary and replacements are needed on occasion as well. For more information on maintaining your air compressor, visit http://www.compressor-pump.com.
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