German compressor company Kaeser has released its latest generation ACT series activated carbon adsorbers, saying they deliver a continuous supply of compressed air that is technically oil-free and odour- and taste-neutral
Installed downstream of compressed air drying and pre-filtration components, the adsorbers “attain Class 1 residual oil content as per ISO 8573-1, to ensure dependable protection of sensitive production processes”, Kaeser says.
These qualities, it adds, make them ideal for use in the optical, surface technology, electronics, foodstuffs and pharmaceutical sectors.
“In order to meet the strictest ISO 8573-1 Class 1 compressed air purity class requirements, compressed air should have a residual oil content of no higher than 0.01 mg/m3,” Kaeser says.
“Class 1 compressed air is therefore significantly cleaner than typical ambient air. For this reason compressed air treatment is essential irrespective of the compression method that is used to produce it.
“To achieve this level of purity, more is needed than to simply remove the residual oil content via filters,” the company adds. “The vapour component also needs to be retained by means of adsorption on activated carbon.
“The ACT series adsorbers can achieve residual oil content significantly lower than the threshold value for Class 1 compressed air purity.”
The units’ large flow diameters and stainless steel flow diffusers ensure even flow distribution and pressure loss no higher than 0.1 bar. This means that the discharge pressure of upstream compressors can be kept as low as possible – as can energy costs.
The adsorbers have a flow rate from 1.17 to 1545.5 m3/min, and pressure of 4 to 48 bar. Kaeser prides itself on their reliability, saying “the exceptional compressed air purity is reliably assured for up to 12,000 full load hours, or a maximum of five years”.