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Dwelling in the compressed air, which runs your machines, are three ingredients that will guarantee the slow destruction of your machines:

  1. WATER     
  2. DIRT                                               
  3. OIL   

1. Water Contamination

As the hot air from your compressor is cooled, condensation occurs. This is how water gets into the air system. Water contamination can be identified in three ways:

  • First, a lubricator that has a “milky substance” indicates water has gotten into the oil.
  • Second, droplets can be seen dripping from valve exhaust or air tools.
  • Third, valves or actuators stick due to the oil being diluted by water in the pneumatic system.

2. Dirt/Solids Contamination

As air is drawn into or enters the compressor, dirt and dust can also be drawn in. This can result in the premature wearing of seals, as well as clogged mufflers.

3. Oil Contamination

Excessive oil consumption in the compressor, also known as oil carry-over, can also contribute to system contamination.  Not only is damage to your machines possible because of this, but it can also result in expensive oil waste. There are several reasons why oil can accumulate in the lines. They are:

  • Leak in the lubrication system – If there is a leak there will be oil visible at some connection point, such as a cylinder or other component.
  • Clogged oil return line or filter - Sometimes the oil return line, or filter, gets clogged and no oil is able to return. It ends up being pushed back into the compressor tank because of the built-up pressure. Most oil return lines have a site glass that shows the amount of oil moving through the line.  If there isn’t any oil moving past the site glass the filter is most likely clogged (if the filter is flooded with oil, this indicates a bad separator filter).
  • Defective minimum pressure/check valve.
  • Overfilling the receiver tank (this can be identified by looking at the site gauge).

So now you know how water, air and dirt in a pneumatic system can cause the pneumatic system to run inefficiently, and damage a machine.  What’s the solution to preventing this from happening? A high quality air prep system, like the Parker Global Air Preparation System.

Parker Global Air Preparation System Advantage

Parker Modular Air Prep System

  • NPT, BSPP & BSPT threads available in 1/8”(except P31 Mini), ¼”, 3/8”, ½”, ¾”
  • Manually operated 3 and 2 way shut-off valves
  • Remote Operated Dump Valves
  • Proportional Regulators
  • Soft Start or Dump Valves
  • Manifold Distribution Modules
  • Mounting and Connection Kits
  • Modular design
  • 5 Micron Filters come standard with 1 Micron filters being available
  • Aluminum body
  • Polycarbonate bowl options
  • Aluminum bowl options
  • NBR (Nitrile rubber) diaphragm
  • NBR seals
  • Maximum operating temperatures:  52 degrees for poly bowl with guard, 65.5 degrees for aluminum bowl
  • Operating pressures: 150 psig* (10 bar) for poly bowl with guard, 250 psig* (17 bar) for aluminum bowl
  • Filter, Regulator and Lubricator all connected with one common connector as opposed to individual pipe nipples.

 *Pounds Per Square Inch Gauge

 

Posted by Roger Winchell

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