MAINTENANCE INTERVALS
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OIL-X Compressed Air Filter - User Guide. ©2019.
To ensure optimal filter performance the OIL-X Grade AO and OIL-X Grade AA coalescing and dry particulate filter elements require
changing every 12 months (8736 hours) along with the automatic float drain.
Unlike coalescing and dry particulate filter elements which are changed annually to guarantee compressed air quality, the lifetime of an
adsorption filter element / cartridge can be attributed to various factors and will require more frequent changes. Factors affecting the
lifetime of adsorption filters are:
Oil vapour concentration
The higher the inlet concentration of oil vapour, the faster the adsorption material capacity will be used, resulting in reduced adsorption
filter element / cartridge lifetime.
Bulk oil
Adsorption filters are designed only to reduce oil vapours and odours, not liquid oil or oil aerosols. Poorly maintained or non-existent
pre-filtration (coalescing filters) will cause the adsorption filter capacity to be used quickly resulting in reduced adsorption filter element /
cartridge lifetime.
Temperature
Oil vapour content increases exponentially to inlet temperature, reducing adsorption filter element / cartridge lifetime. Additionally, as
temperature increases, the adsorption capacity of the adsorbent material decreases, again reducing adsorption filter element / cartridge
lifetime.
Relative Humidity or Dewpoint
Wet air reduces the adsorptive capacity of the adsorbent material, reducing adsorption filter element / cartridge lifetime. Ideally, in-line
adsorption filters should always be placed downstream of a compressed air dryer to prolong adsorption filter element / cartridge lifetime.
Compressor oil changes
When compressor oil is changed, the new lubricant burns off “light ends” which increases the oil vapour content for hours or even weeks
afterwards. This increase in oil vapour content is adsorbed by the adsorption filter element / cartridge, reducing the adsorption filter
element / cartridge lifetime.
OIL-X Grade ACS Adsorption Filters
The performance of the OIL-X Grade ACS element is based upon a nominal inlet temperature of 21°C, with a pressure dewpoint of -40°C
and a maximum oil vapour inlet concentration of 0.018mg/m3. Under these conditions, OIL-X Grade ACS will have a lifetime of 650
hours. Operating OIL-X grade ACS at higher inlet temperatures / higher inlet oil vapour concentrations / or before a refrigeration or
adsorption dryer will result in lower adsorption filter lifetime. Replace the carbon filter element upon detection of vapour, odour or taste.
OIL-X Grade ACS are recommended for point of use applications only where frequent element changes are acceptable.
OIL-X Grade OVR Adsorption Filter
s
Unlike in-line adsorption filters (OIL-X Grade ACS), OIL-X Grade OVR adsorption filters are sized and selected to not only provide
consistent air quality but to also provide 12 months of cartridge life. This 12 month (6000 hours for models OVR 100 ~ OVR 250 and
8736 hours for models OVR 300 ~ OVR 550) cartridge life is dependent upon sizing for the following inlet parameters: maximum inlet
temperature / compressor type, minimum inlet pressure, position in system (before or after a dryer) and inlet oil vapour content. OIL-X
Grade OVR adsorption filters are designed for both plant scale (compressor room) and point of use applications.
