Understanding The Contamination That Affects Compressed Air

The air that we breathe indoors and outdoors can be dirty. The ambient air isn’t pure at all. As a result, the compressed air in industries is the same as it keeps assaulted by the present and invisible dust and contaminants in the air. Some get stuck within the compressor itself. Hence, other companies would have to opt for air compressor servicing in Singapore.

Importance of Air Compressor As An Equipment

Air compressor systems are reliable equipment for powering pneumatic tools and provide a steady flow of chill air for several industrial fields, from manufacturing to pharmaceutical and railroad industries. It’s essential and vital for industrial applications to enhance production output and provide efficiency in operational processes. They are in huge demand for larger industrial sites, with many perceiving them as valuable as equal to gas and electricity.

Home projects can also benefit from air compressor systems too. In fact, a wide range of compressor systems exists that fits well for home applications. Nonetheless, they all require proper care and maintenance along the way. Almost every air compressor and air receiver tank supplier in Singapore provides sturdy air compressor and air receiver systems. Their vital status is indisputable. However, what happens to the production process if the compressor gets contaminated?

Compressed Air 101 – Understanding the Source of Contamination

Compressed-Air-101-Understanding-the-Source-of-Contamination

In order to find a working solution for contaminated and polluted air, we must first understand the source of the contamination. Here are the frequent sources of compressed air contamination:

  • The air compressor equipment itself
  • The distribution pipes
  • Ambient air
  • Air receiver/storage
  • Other point-of-use items

As we see, there are numerous sources of contamination, including the compressor itself. It will mean contamination within the application and can affect the product quality and the process, regardless of where the contaminant came from. In some cases, others would opt for air compressor repair in Singapore to have their equipment fixed and cleaned. On the other hand, some would install aftercoolers and air purifier systems or work with system leaks. It is critical to maintaining the right quality of compressed air.

If the contaminated air comes into contact with the output, it could carry a deleterious effect on the overall production, causing harm to the quality. Thus it affects the customer’s experience with the product and harms your business.

The 5 Types Of Compressed Air Contaminants

The-5-Common-Types-Of-Compressed-Air-Contaminants

Air contaminants are barely visible. Most of the time, we don’t see them until it becomes apparent that the final output is contaminated. Before you decide to opt for air compressor servicing, it’s vital that we understand the different types of compressed air contaminants:

1. Rust

If your air compressor lacks any purification filters and is operating with wet pipes before it, your equipment’s air receiver is prone to rusting and scaling. Rusting can also damage your air compressor, causing blockages that can negatively impact your final output. Hence, you should often check it once in a while or pay for an air compressor servicing for maintenance and cleaning.

2. Dirt in the ambience air/atmosphere

Most manufacturing industrial facilities carry and emit millions of dirt particles from day-to-day operations. Most of these particles are too minuscule in size to be captured in a compressed air filter and pass directly inside the machine compressor. However, despite their size, they can cause blockage in the equipment if the system is left unchecked. Regardless of buying an axial or rotary screw air compressor in Singapore, ensure to check the dirt level in the system as part of maintenance.

3. Water content in the compressed air

Moisture can be a problem within the facility’s ambient air. The pollutant can enter the system via piping in the form of water vapour—which is one of the most common contaminants in overall volume. However, the temperature within the air compressor allows it to handle a sizable water vapour before the moisture starts to condensate.

If moisture in the equipment for a period of time remains unchecked, it will affect pneumatic tools by causing corrosion and rust. You can always opt for air compressor servicing to check the moisture level and remove them before it can impact the application.

4. Oil vapour

Apart from water vapour, ambient air may also contain oil from the motor exhaust and daily industrial processes in the form of hydrocarbons, which the compressor can absorb. It consists of volatile compounds, and it can undergo processes of condensation inside the system when the temperature drops at a cooling point, adding more contamination to the compressed air.

Prolonged exposure to oil (combined with water aerosol, oil aerosol and liquid oil) can damage the storage and compressor. Hence, you should check the piping and air storage for it if you don’t want to end up with costly air compressor repair services.

5. Microorganism

Atmospheric air can carry millions of microorganisms that are harmful to human health. Bacteria and viruses can also grow and spread through the piping system when particles are introduced and mixed with water residue and pipe deposits. Having a clean and well-maintained filtering system can eliminate the risk.

Conclusion

Protecting your air compressor system with the right maintenance and periodic air compressor servicing can prevent contamination and prolong its lifespan. A purified and clean compressed air quality is critical for the day-to-day facility process of producing final output for clients. One way to achieve it is to fight the source of contamination via conducting compressed air testing and reducing moisture levels whenever you can.

If you’re looking for a high-standard air compressor or an air dryer in Singapore, visit GWT Enterprise for more information on air compressor units and services.