How to Choose the Right Compressed Air Filter

Compressed air systems require air filters to get best results and meet clean air requirements. To determine which air filtration system, you should refer to your equipment manufacturer's specifications for flow rate and cleanliness requirements. This can sometimes be vague and very confusing; it's important to have someone walk you through the steps needed to determine these factors so you can be assured your system is running as efficiently as possible. Let's talk about how to select the right compressed air filter.

Link to NAILI

In this article, we'll how discuss the steps it takes to pick the right compressed air filter for your system:

1. ISO Requirements and the Right Air Filter for You
   
2. How to Pick the Right Filter
   
3. Compressed Air Schematic
4. Talk to the Compressed Air System Experts

ISO Requirements and the right Air filter for You

When it comes to air filtration, there are some standards that can be referenced to make this process easier. Many manufacturers provide vague descriptions when discussing the kind of air your system needs "Clean, dry air required" - there is more to it. Fortunately, some manufacturers use ISO standards to provide clarity for air cleanliness. The ISO chart below will help you when selecting an air filtration package:

If it looks daunting - we understand and are here to help. Generally speaking, the ISO standard provides different classes to each category; addressing particulates, water content, and oil content. If your application or equipment does not call out air cleanliness specs, a good rule of thumb is class 4 across all three categories as a minimum requirement. Many applications may require higher quality air when meeting class 2 or better becomes the most effective target when building or improving your overall air system and components.

How to Pick the Right Air Filter

Picking the right air filter depends on a few things: the flow rate, port size, your system's requirements as mentioned above, and the contaminants you need filtered out for your application to perform as intended. We have a variety of filter options and packages available for compressed air systems such as water separators, oil coalescing filters, and activated carbon filters.

Are you interested in learning more about inline compressed air filter? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!

Give us a call or an and we can answer all the questions you have about your unique situation.

Compressed Air Schematic

Our compressed air schematic walks you through the location for dryers and air filtration needed for your air system. Fine-tuning your air system to meet the needs of your equipment requires thoughtful consideration to equipment-air cleanliness requirements, work area location in the air system, and flow demands.

The Tsunami Air System Schematic is available for download and can be kept easily accessible for when these system changes are necessary. Fill out the form below for your printable download copy: 

Talk to the Compressed Air System Experts

Tsunami is here for you while you are on your compressed air filter journey. For over 40 years, Tsunami has set the industry standard for quality compressed air filtration and drying solutions. From start to finish, we walk you through the air filters we have, what your system requires, and work together with you to solve any problems or concerns with your air. We know our air filters inside and out, and can give you recommendations for the proper package to fulfill your filtration system needs. If you need somewhere to start before we chat, we recommend checking out our site and taking a look at our compressed air schematic.

For more hydraulic driven air compressorsinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.

So far I've purchased 1/4" PCL XF and the hoses which arrived this morning...

one to link to inline regulator, and the other connecting to the gun.

I now need to chose an inline regulator with oil and water filters. Unfortunately I don't have any knowledge regarding this equipment. With regards to what's available here https://www.spraygunsdirect.co.uk/i...rs-gauges.html?dir=desc&limit=all&order=price there seems to be a lot to chose from, but what will do the job suitably? Haven't decided upon a budget as yet.

Also, do all of those filters include an oil and water trap? Also quite a few seem to mention the temperature for which the unit can cope with, what does this mean?

Thanks

Thanks for the info there, but might I ask what an "oiler" might be?

its an inline oiler for using with air tools and lubricates them. there not needed for intermittent use and u need a separate airline to use one . if u have air tools . just 3 drops of oil
at beginning of use and a few drops when finished give it a quick run and it stops your tools going rusty due to moisture inside if not used for long periods

its an inline oiler for using with air tools and lubricates them. there not needed for intermittent use and u need a separate airline to use one . if u have air tools . just 3 drops of oil
at beginning of use and a few drops when finished give it a quick run and it stops your tools going rusty due to moisture inside if not used for long periods

Ah! I see. I don't have any air tools as yet, but thanks for the advice there. Do all air tools require an oiler then? And thanks for the instructions regarding the application of oil for the tools.

Hello
Are you planning on using comp for spraying?

If so then 10 metres of copper for droplinks and cheap £13 silver line regulator (eBay ), works great for me, i'm spraying regulary and using airtools as well with no oiler as mentioned, I hardly get water in regulator, most of the moisture/oil it gets captured in the first and second droplink.

Thanks for the information there

Yes, the main intention of usage is for spray painting. I'd really like to use hard piping with the compressor, and as you say a great deal of moisture is removed. Unfortunately the location and environment doesn't allow.

This is why I need as much information with regards to what in line regulator/filter is needed.

if you're using 35m of airline, you may get a significant drop in pressure between your compressor and air tool/spray gun. I use a home made desiccant dryer to try and remove water from the compressed air. (with other filters and regulators)



with my wolf dakota compressor as shown here

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/...l-14cfm-3hp-compressor-and-dryer-setup./

That's a little concerning, why do you think a pressure drop will occur from using 35 metres of air line?

Thanks for the link a few questions regarding the modifications, I'll post on that thread later. its policy to use 10mm bore pipe and keep as short and strait as possible to get maximum cfm and pressure at your tools without loss. curled up pipes tend to harbour moisture then chuck it all out at once don't get too hung up about it though just get started and see how it goes otherwise your head will be done in with all the info

its policy to use 10mm bore pipe and keep as short and strait as possible to get maximum cfm and pressure at your tools without loss. curled up pipes tend to harbour moisture then chuck it all out at once don't get too hung up about it though just get started and see how it goes otherwise your head will be done in with all the info

Yes, there does seem to be a fair amount of information to take on board, sometimes baffling!

The hoses are 9.5 mm in bore not 10 mm. Hopefully the 0.5 mm won't effect the results too much.

I may have to re think the location of the compressor and just run the 15 metre hose if pressure drops and other issues will be apparent. Thanks for more info, I'd rather know now than later on the subject of pressure drop, this is my 1.8mm lvlp (low velocity low pressure) spray gun,which at 30psi just uses less air that compressor an supply at will work all day at 30 psi.

I use pcl xf fittings and two 10mm hoses, 15m and 10m long. so I joined them between the compressor and the spray gun (hose lenght is 25m in total) and this is the result with the regulator on the compressor (the one on the left) showing 50 psi. the one on the spraygun shows 32psi. If I connect the spraygun straight to the compressor its shows 50 psi. for this spraygun its not an issue as its normal operating pressure in 20 to 25psi. on the other hand if you've got a air tool that requires 90psi to operate at its optimum, you might only get 60psi with the longer hoses,which may limit how well it peforms

on the subject of pressure drop, this is my 1.8mm lvlp (low velocity low pressure) spray gun,which at 30psi just uses less air that compressor an supply at will work all day at 30 psi.

I use pcl xf fittings and two 10mm hoses, 15m and 10m long. so I joined them between the compressor and the spray gun (hose lenght is 25m in total) and this is the result with the regulator on the compressor (the one on the left) showing 50 psi. the one on the spraygun shows 32psi. If I connect the spraygun straight to the compressor its shows 50 psi. for this spraygun its not an issue as its normal operating pressure in 20 to 25psi. on the other hand if you've got a air tool that requires 90psi to operate at its optimum, you might only get 60psi with the longer hoses,which may limit how well it peforms



View attachment

Thanks for posting the information about the pressure drop over a 25 metre air line. I'm glad I'm aware of this now before I spend any more cash on unnecessary equipment.

On your results I think I'm gonna need to place the compressor far closer to the work area. Also I think I'll have to incorporate a small hard pipe system as well (despite never attempting any kind of plumbing before).