Contamination by compressed air

Moisture in compressed air networks compromises product quality and damages systems. Moisture is a carrier of microorganisms, dust, dirt and oil, which cause product contamination. 

Cause

So where do these risk factors come from? The answer is simple: from outside air. The compressor draws in air from outside and compresses it to an average of 7 or 8 Bar(G). This means the contamination is 7 or 8 times greater than in normal ambient air. And the warmer the air outside, the more moisture the air can contain and the more microorganisms can be carried along in the compressed air stream.

Compressor installation

Many companies have a compressor system consisting of a compressor, often oil-lubricated, a pre-filter, a dryer and a post-filter. Nothing wrong with that, but is this air suitable when the compressed air comes into direct contact with a food product? Not always. And then it is important to check the air for contaminants present. 

Risk analysis

Many food companies assume that the compressed air is just fine. After all, the compressor is maintained annually and the auditor also approves it annually, thanks to the maintenance records. Air quality, however, is rarely checked. 

ISO-8573.1:2010

The ISO-8573.1:2010 is an overview of quality classes that give an indication of compressed air quality. Values for dust, moisture and oil (vapor) content are shown and divided into a certain class. Compressed air quality in the food industry is still little measured. In fact, a simple dew-point sensor, for measuring moisture content, is often missing. So how does the manufacturer know how much moisture is actually present in the compressed air? Machine monitoring, control points, computers, sensors and often even an entire control room are present in the production area. But compressed air is almost never included in this. If compressed air quality does get measured, users have insight into the actual quality of their compressed air and can improve compressed air quality, energy consumption and product safety. 

To measure is to know

An Air Quality Audit measures dust, moisture and oil content, in addition to pressure and temperature. This data gives the producer assurance, confidence and clarity. With the right treatment plan, the customer has proof that the compressed air quality is perfectly matched to the production process and that there is no risk to the product. After all, that is the main task: to produce safe food products.