Product Guide

3
Compressed Air Facts
THE #1 RULE OF COMPRESSED AIR
For every 20 degrees that compressed air is cooled, the air loses 50% of its ability to hold
moisture (humidity) in vapor form and is dropped out as a liquid
Air Drying and Air Filtration…. There is a Difference!
Air Drying - The removal of water vapor (humidity) from compressed air which is typically accomplished
in one of three ways
• Desiccant (molecular sieve, activated alumina, silica gel)
• Membrane
• Refrigeration
When to use compressed air dryers
• Air dryers should be used when you want to remove or reduce the humidity levels in your compressed air system
to meet the manufacturers’ requirements for their paint systems
Air Filtration - The removal of particulates, water, oil droplets, and oil aerosols.
This is most effective when done in stages:
• Water separator - removes bulk water, oil, and large particulates (down to 10 micron)
• Coalescing filter - removes oil, small aerosols and fine particulates (down to .01 micron)
• Activated carbon filter - removes oil vapors; eliminates odors and taste (down to .003ppm)
Where to place compressed air filtration
• The further away from the compressor, the more effective your filtration will work
• Inside or near the spray booth, directly connected to your spray hose (IMPORTANT)
• In front of all air dryers as pre-filters
• Water separators should be placed at all air tool drops with regulators
Important Things to Know
• Properly controlling air pressure throughout your shop can help save 10-15% of your compressed air
energy costs.
• Repairing an audible air leak can save you $50 or more per year in energy used to drive your
compressor.
• When sizing a compressor, you can figure 2 to 2.5Hp per person, depending on the pressure setting of
the compressor.
• Proper control of air volume (CFM) will make all your air drying and filtration technology perform at their
rated capacity. Most pieces of equipment have a manufacturer’s specification of volume consumption
along with the recommended operating pressure.
• Improper use of volume can cause an “over-flowing” of the rated capacity of your equipment which
causes a carry over of moisture and contaminates.
• New, OSHA approved blow
off guns can consume up to
35CFM, the equivalent of a
10Hp compressor.
(example shown)
• Many color changing indicators
used with desiccant systems
do not begin to change color
before 20%RH.
(example shown)
• The higher the air pressure supply
to air amplifier stands used with
waterborne paint increases the
amount of air volume they consume.
See page 13. (example shown)