Compressed Air Best Practices - September 2008 - (Page 21) Focus Industry FOOD PACKAGING & PROCESSING | 09/08 | Observations on Filtration and ISO 12500.1 The use of oil-free air compressors does not eliminate the need for filtration. Compressor intakes may be located in areas where hydrocarbons, solid particulates and other gases like hydrocarbons may be ingested into the air compressor and sent downstream. Particulate, oil-coalescing and oil vapor filters are required to ensure air quality. The use of an oil-free air compressor does, however, reduce the pressure on maintenance to change filter elements in a timely manner. When purchasing compressed air filters, it is recommended by the author that the user find out if the filters have been tested and are rated to ISO 12500.1. In the past, a filter could state that it provided oil aerosol filtration to 0.01 ppm BUT it did not have to say under what kind of INLET challenge. This new ISO test procedure specifies two inlet challenges by which filters must be tested: 1. 2. 40 ppm inlet challenge for 1–5 micron rated filters 10 ppm inlet challenge for 0.01 ppm rated filters Conclusion Establishing a compressed air specification is a recommended practice for a food packager and processor. Each situation is unique and one should work with a compressed air professional to build a specification. The U.K. Code of Practice for Food Grade Air is a very good reference to use when building the specification. For more information on this article, contact Rod Smith, Compressed Air Best Practices Magazine, tel: 251-680-9154, email: rod@airbestpractices.com, www.airbestpractices.com For more information on the U.K. Code of Practice for Food Grade Air, please contact Mr. Greg Bordiak, British Compressed Air Society, email: greg@bcas.org.uk, www.bcas.org.uk For more information on the German “Recommendation for Compressed Air Quality in the Food Industry” published in 1997, visit www.vdma.org Lubriplate.com ® Syncool Air Compressor Fluid Lubriplate ® The Environmentally-Responsible Choice in Air Compressor Fluids. • Readily Biodegradable - (Meets OECD criteria) >70% Biodegradation. • Fully Synthetic - High Performance Polyglycolester-Based Fluid. • For Rotary Screw and Rotary Vane Compressors with High Operating Temps. • Superior Oxidation Resistance (Eliminates Deposits) 8,000 Hour Drain Intervals. Lubriplate Lubricants Company Newark, NJ 07105 / Toledo, OH 43605 1-800-733-4755 / www.lubriplate.com Have a Question? E-Mail It To: LubeXpert@lubriplate.com ? www.airbestpractices.com 21 http://www.airbestpractices.com http://www.bcas.org.uk http://www.vdma.org http://www.lubriplate.com http://www.lubriplate.com http://www.lubriplate.com http://www.airbestpractices.com
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