Air Treatment
Except for simpler uses compressed air is normally not fit to use directly from the compressor. Compressed air needs to be dried and filtered to a level required by the application, whether it is shot blasting, operating a laser machine or spraying lacquer.
Air At higher pressures air will not hold the same amount of water vapour as at the ambient pressure therefore all compressed air systems need to deal with the condensation of water vapour. ‘Wet’ air will cost the user a significant amount in lost production and maintenance if it goes unnoticed for any length of time.
Dryers
This is typically achieved by installing a dryer in the system, after the compressor and receiver; various types of dryer are available depending on the level of ‘dryness’, or dewpoint, required by the application.
Refrigerant Dryers
CCS offer a comprehensive range of new and second-hand air dryers including the very efficient Gardner Denver microprocessor controlled ‘Ultrapulse’ dryer range. Dryers are available off the shelf with capacities from 6 CFM to 970 CFM or larger by request.
Desiccant Dryers
Where air needs to be cleaned and dried to more stringent levels CCS can supply a variety of desiccant adsorption dryers from 30 CFM to 8000 CFM.
Filtration Systems
Air drawn into a compressor system will also carry many types and size of particle depending on the environment. The compressor will filter out the larger particles but with oil lubricated types will also introduce traces of oil; for these reasons most compressed air systems require additional filtration of the air. The level of filtration will naturally depend on its ultimate use as this may even be for breathing - for example in spray booth applications.
Filters have air flow capacities from 10 CFM to 22,000 CFM. The filtration levels go from coarse pre-filters through to finer filtration and activated carbon elements for removing odour. Sterile and steam filter elements can also be supplied.
The alternative intelligent Filter Plus system uses a new Economizer which stores all relevant data relating to the filter element and energy consumption. This can be connected to a central monitoring station to ensure optimum times for filter changes and preservation of the most precious resource – your compressed air.
Condensate - capture and treatment
The process of drying compressed air generates considerable amounts of condensate. This, which is typically water mixed with some oil and contaminates, can build up in areas of the system if not managed and in winter conditions it can even freeze and block a system. Owing to the make up of the condensate and related government regulations this fluid cannot simply be discharged to a public waste-water drain, the oil must be separated out and disposed of safely.
Autodrains
Condensate produced during the process of compressing air and captured by after-coolers, air receivers, refrigerant dryers, filters and water traps needs to be removed from the system. The most efficient method is via a zero-air loss autodrain, which ejects the condensate without losing the manufactured compressed air. These units are reliable, quiet in operation and available in sizes to match the requirements of any systems. Less expensive solenoid operated drains can also be supplied which are adjustable and timed to operate at pre-determined intervals.
Oily water separators
Condensate produced by a lubricated compressor package system has a small element of oil within it and this must not be discharged directly into the public drainage or to ground. Using an inexpensive oily water separator any oil contaminate is segregated to a collection bottle and the clean water can be safely disposed of straight to drain. Oily water separators are available to suit all sizes of systems.