Industrial machinery and compressors have various parts working together to ensure optimum performance. One less commonly known component is the air oil separator. Often referred to as an oil mist separator, it functions as a barrier between the compressed air and oil within an oil-wetted air compressor. Its primary objective is to remove oil aerosols and contaminants from the compressed air, ensuring that the air supplied to various components remains clean.
This blog discusses how an air oil separator works, its essential role in safeguarding machinery, the types available, and how to troubleshoot common issues.
How Does It Work?
An air oil separator’s operation is based on the coalescence principle. Inside the separator, the compressed air laden with oil aerosols is directed through a series of baffles or filter media. These components slow down the air and cause the oil droplets to collide and merge, forming larger droplets. As gravity takes effect, these larger oil droplets separate from the air and collect at the bottom of the separator. Lastly, the oil is returned to the reservoir via the scavenger line, thus completing the cycle.
How It Ensures Machinery Longevity
The importance of air oil separators becomes evident when considering their impact on machinery:
Boosts Efficiency
By removing oil aerosols and contaminants from compressed air, air oil separators ensure that pneumatic tools and equipment operate at their full potential. Uncontaminated air allows these machines to perform with precision and consistency, ultimately increasing productivity and reducing operational costs.
Prevents Component Deterioration
The presence of airborne oil and contaminants can gradually deteriorate vital components within machinery, including valves and actuators. By maintaining a clean and oil-free air supply, air oil separators extend the lifespan of these costly machinery components, reducing maintenance and replacement expenses.
Ensures Air Purity
Air oil separators are pivotal in ensuring air purity, helping industries like pharmaceutical manufacturing and food processing maintain stringent quality standards. By removing oil aerosols and contaminants, these separators contribute to producing high-quality goods while complying with regulatory requirements.
Types of Air Oil Separators
Air oil separators come in various forms, each suited to different applications and levels of air purity required. Some common types include:
- Coalescing filters: These filters use fibrous material to capture oil droplets, allowing clean air to pass through. They are widely used in applications where a high level of air purity is required.
- Centrifugal separators: This type harnesses centrifugal force to separate oil from compressed air efficiently, making them suitable where high-flow rates are necessary. The air undergoes a high-speed spinning motion, causing the heavier oil droplets to move toward the outer wall, where they are collected and drained.
- Membrane separators: Membrane-based separators are the go-to choice for applications demanding extremely clean air output. They rely on selective permeation to separate oil from air, ensuring a high level of purity.
Troubleshooting for Optimal Performance
Regular maintenance and troubleshooting are essential to ensure the air oil separator continues to perform effectively. Here are some common issues to watch out for and the corresponding troubleshooting steps:
- Pressure drop: A sudden pressure drop across the separator may indicate a clogged filter element. Inspect and clean or replace the filter element as needed.
- Oil carryover: If oil is consistently present in the air downstream, it could be a sign of a failing separator or excessive oil carryover from the compressor. In such situations, a comprehensive inspection of the separator and the compressor system is required.
- Reduced efficiency: Reduced efficiency or increased oil consumption can be symptoms of separator problems. Inspect the separator for damage or signs of wear and address any issues promptly.
Northern Lights Industrial Supply: Your Trusted Source for Air Oil Separators
At Northern Lights Industrial Supply, we are dedicated to helping you achieve clean air excellence in your operations. We offer a wide range of high-quality air oil separators and related products to meet the specific needs of your industrial applications. With our expertise and commitment to excellence, we can help you choose the right separator to safeguard your machinery and ensure top-notch air quality.
Contact us today to discover how we can enhance your operations and keep your equipment operating at its best.