Forgotten causes of contamination in compressors

That’s a real problem … because these microorganisms do not just pose a problem for your compressed air system itself but also a danger to your end products. This is especially true the case in industries producing perishable goods or products ingested by customers, such as the food & beverage, medical, and pharmaceutical sectors. Here, the presence of fungi, mold, or bacteria can do serious harm to your customers, your reputation, and your bottom line.

Fortunately, there is something you can do about this type of compressed air contamination. The solution is both simple and complicated: You have to deprive the microorganisms of the warm and humid conditions they need to grow by creating a dryer and cooler environment. 

SECOND – you have to install Process Filtration on your compressed air line for trapping bacteria and other microorganisms, avoiding carryover to the process. 

There are different strategies you can and should pursue to protect your compressed air system and your end products alike. 

Your first goal should be to reduce moisture wherever you can … and that begins with the ambient air. If possible, you should try to set up your air compressor in a cool and dry environment. 

If high purity is critical for your process, you almost will have to install Process Filters on your compressed air line. This comes for various purposes like high-efficiency particle removal or sterile grade in pleated fiber or membrane type cartridges. Filter selection can be made according to GMP (Good manufacturing Practice) recommendations – FDA / FSSC22000 / BSI etc. where direct contact with product is made. Sample of GMP is as shared below. 

Next, you should periodically check your system for leaks, which is something you should do in any case. These leaks not only waste energy – and therefore needlessly drive up your operating costs – they also offer an entry point for microorganisms into your system. 

Another important aspect of safeguarding your equipment and your products is to test your compressed air regularly. This will alert you to the presence of microorganisms and allow you to take the proper steps in a timely manner before you develop problems that spiral out of control. 

However, the most important thing you can do to protect your system from compressed air contamination is investing in the proper air treatment equipment.

Various technologies are available to help you keep moisture out of your system, such as dryers and aftercoolers.

• Air dryers
  As the name indicates, dryers dry your air by removing water from it. In some cases, they are already built into compressors while others are added as standalone products. Depending on your application and its purity requirements, you can choose between a

  However, the most important thing you can do to protect your system from compressed air contamination is investing in the proper air treatment equipment.

  Various technologies are available to help you keep moisture out of your system, such as dryers and aftercoolers.

  • Air dryers
    As the name indicates, dryers dry your air by removing water from it. In some cases, they are already built into compressors while others are added as standalone products. Depending on your application and its purity requirements, you can choose between a

    However, the most important thing you can do to protect your system from compressed air contamination is investing in the proper air treatment equipment.

    Various technologies are available to help you keep moisture out of your system, such as dryers and aftercoolers.

    • Air dryers
      As the name indicates, dryers dry your air by removing water from it. In some cases, they are already built into compressors while others are added as standalone products. Depending on your application and its purity requirements, you can choose between a

      However, the most important thing you can do to protect your system from compressed air contamination is investing in the proper air treatment equipment.

      Various technologies are available to help you keep moisture out of your system, such as dryers and aftercoolers.

      • Air dryers
        As the name indicates, dryers dry your air by removing water from it. In some cases, they are already built into compressors while others are added as standalone products. Depending on your application and its purity requirements, you can choose between a refrigerant dryer or a twin tower desiccant dryer or the highly efficient

        However, the most important thing you can do to protect your system from compressed air contamination is investing in the proper air treatment equipment.

        Various technologies are available to help you keep moisture out of your system, such as dryers and aftercoolers.

        • Air dryers
          As the name indicates, dryers dry your air by removing water from it. In some cases, they are already built into compressors while others are added as standalone products. Depending on your application and its purity requirements, you can choose between a

          However, the most important thing you can do to protect your system from compressed air contamination is investing in the proper air treatment equipment.

          Various technologies are available to help you keep moisture out of your system, such as dryers and aftercoolers.

          • Air dryers
            As the name indicates, dryers dry your air by removing water from it. In some cases, they are already built into compressors while others are added as standalone products. Depending on your application and its purity requirements, you can choose between a

            However, the most important thing you can do to protect your system from compressed air contamination is investing in the proper air treatment equipment.

            Various technologies are available to help you keep moisture out of your system, such as dryers and aftercoolers.

            • Air dryers
              As the name indicates, dryers dry your air by removing water from it. In some cases, they are already built into compressors while others are added as standalone products. Depending on your application and its purity requirements, you can choose between a refrigerant dryer or a twin tower desiccant dryer or the highly efficient

              However, the most important thing you can do to protect your system from compressed air contamination is investing in the proper air treatment equipment.

              Various technologies are available to help you keep moisture out of your system, such as dryers and aftercoolers.

              • Air dryers
                As the name indicates, dryers dry your air by removing water from it. In some cases, they are already built into compressors while others are added as standalone products. Depending on your application and its purity requirements, you can choose between a refrigerant dryer or a twin tower desiccant dryer or the highly efficient

                However, the most important thing you can do to protect your system from compressed air contamination is investing in the proper air treatment equipment.

                Various technologies are available to help you keep moisture out of your system, such as dryers and aftercoolers.

                • Air dryers
                  As the name indicates, dryers dry your air by removing water from it. In some cases, they are already built into compressors while others are added as standalone products. Depending on your application and its purity requirements, you can choose between a

                  However, the most important thing you can do to protect your system from compressed air contamination is investing in the proper air treatment equipment.

                  Various technologies are available to help you keep moisture out of your system, such as dryers and aftercoolers.

                  • Air dryers
                    As the name indicates, dryers dry your air by removing water from it. In some cases, they are already built into compressors while others are added as standalone products. Depending on your application and its purity requirements, you can choose between a refrigerant dryer or a twin tower desiccant dryer or the highly efficient

                    However, the most important thing you can do to protect your system from compressed air contamination is investing in the proper air treatment equipment.

                    Various technologies are available to help you keep moisture out of your system, such as dryers and aftercoolers.

                    • Air dryers
                      As the name indicates, dryers dry your air by removing water from it. In some cases, they are already built into compressors while others are added as standalone products. Depending on your application and its purity requirements, you can choose between a refrigerant dryer or a twin tower desiccant dryer or the highly efficient Rotary Drum Adsorption dryer with guaranteed dewpoint of -40 degC at almost no cost. The latter is especially effective in removing moisture and creating super dry air in a very effective and economical way. 
                    • Aftercoolers
                      Aftercoolers are installed directly after the compressor and remove condensation from the system before it can contribute to the growth of microorganisms.  
                    • Air filters
                      Finally, you can and should also use

                      However, the most important thing you can do to protect your system from compressed air contamination is investing in the proper air treatment equipment.

                      Various technologies are available to help you keep moisture out of your system, such as dryers and aftercoolers.

                      • Air dryers
                        As the name indicates, dryers dry your air by removing water from it. In some cases, they are already built into compressors while others are added as standalone products. Depending on your application and its purity requirements, you can choose between a

                        However, the most important thing you can do to protect your system from compressed air contamination is investing in the proper air treatment equipment.

                        Various technologies are available to help you keep moisture out of your system, such as dryers and aftercoolers.

                        • Air dryers
                          As the name indicates, dryers dry your air by removing water from it. In some cases, they are already built into compressors while others are added as standalone products. Depending on your application and its purity requirements, you can choose between a

                          However, the most important thing you can do to protect your system from compressed air contamination is investing in the proper air treatment equipment.

                          Various technologies are available to help you keep moisture out of your system, such as dryers and aftercoolers.

                          • Air dryers
                            As the name indicates, dryers dry your air by removing water from it. In some cases, they are already built into compressors while others are added as standalone products. Depending on your application and its purity requirements, you can choose between a refrigerant dryer or a twin tower desiccant dryer or the highly efficient

                            However, the most important thing you can do to protect your system from compressed air contamination is investing in the proper air treatment equipment.

                            Various technologies are available to help you keep moisture out of your system, such as dryers and aftercoolers.

                            • Air dryers
                              As the name indicates, dryers dry your air by removing water from it. In some cases, they are already built into compressors while others are added as standalone products. Depending on your application and its purity requirements, you can choose between a refrigerant dryer or a twin tower desiccant dryer or the highly efficient Rotary Drum Adsorption dryer with guaranteed dewpoint of -40 degC at almost no cost. The latter is especially effective in removing moisture and creating super dry air in a very effective and economical way. 
                            • Aftercoolers
                              Aftercoolers are installed directly after the compressor and remove condensation from the system before it can contribute to the growth of microorganisms.  
                            • Air filters
                              Finally, you can and should also use

                              However, the most important thing you can do to protect your system from compressed air contamination is investing in the proper air treatment equipment.

                              Various technologies are available to help you keep moisture out of your system, such as dryers and aftercoolers.

                              • Air dryers
                                As the name indicates, dryers dry your air by removing water from it. In some cases, they are already built into compressors while others are added as standalone products. Depending on your application and its purity requirements, you can choose between a refrigerant dryer or a twin tower desiccant dryer or the highly efficient

                                However, the most important thing you can do to protect your system from compressed air contamination is investing in the proper air treatment equipment.

                                Various technologies are available to help you keep moisture out of your system, such as dryers and aftercoolers.

                                • Air dryers
                                  As the name indicates, dryers dry your air by removing water from it. In some cases, they are already built into compressors while others are added as standalone products. Depending on your application and its purity requirements, you can choose between a

                                  However, the most important thing you can do to protect your system from compressed air contamination is investing in the proper air treatment equipment.

                                  Various technologies are available to help you keep moisture out of your system, such as dryers and aftercoolers.

                                  • Air dryers
                                    As the name indicates, dryers dry your air by removing water from it. In some cases, they are already built into compressors while others are added as standalone products. Depending on your application and its purity requirements, you can choose between a refrigerant dryer or a twin tower desiccant dryer or the highly efficient

                                    However, the most important thing you can do to protect your system from compressed air contamination is investing in the proper air treatment equipment.

                                    Various technologies are available to help you keep moisture out of your system, such as dryers and aftercoolers.

                                    • Air dryers
                                      As the name indicates, dryers dry your air by removing water from it. In some cases, they are already built into compressors while others are added as standalone products. Depending on your application and its purity requirements, you can choose between a refrigerant dryer or a twin tower desiccant dryer or the highly efficient Rotary Drum Adsorption dryer with guaranteed dewpoint of -40 degC at almost no cost. The latter is especially effective in removing moisture and creating super dry air in a very effective and economical way. 
                                    • Aftercoolers
                                      Aftercoolers are installed directly after the compressor and remove condensation from the system before it can contribute to the growth of microorganisms.  
                                    • Air filters
                                      Finally, you can and should also use

                                      However, the most important thing you can do to protect your system from compressed air contamination is investing in the proper air treatment equipment.

                                      Various technologies are available to help you keep moisture out of your system, such as dryers and aftercoolers.

                                      • Air dryers
                                        As the name indicates, dryers dry your air by removing water from it. In some cases, they are already built into compressors while others are added as standalone products. Depending on your application and its purity requirements, you can choose between a refrigerant dryer or a twin tower desiccant dryer or the highly efficient Rotary Drum Adsorption dryer with guaranteed dewpoint of -40 degC at almost no cost. The latter is especially effective in removing moisture and creating super dry air in a very effective and economical way. 
                                      • Aftercoolers
                                        Aftercoolers are installed directly after the compressor and remove condensation from the system before it can contribute to the growth of microorganisms.  
                                      • Air filters
                                        Finally, you can and should also use

                                        However, the most important thing you can do to protect your system from compressed air contamination is investing in the proper air treatment equipment.

                                        Various technologies are available to help you keep moisture out of your system, such as dryers and aftercoolers.

                                        • Air dryers
                                          As the name indicates, dryers dry your air by removing water from it. In some cases, they are already built into compressors while others are added as standalone products. Depending on your application and its purity requirements, you can choose between a

                                          However, the most important thing you can do to protect your system from compressed air contamination is investing in the proper air treatment equipment.

                                          Various technologies are available to help you keep moisture out of your system, such as dryers and aftercoolers.

                                          • Air dryers
                                            As the name indicates, dryers dry your air by removing water from it. In some cases, they are already built into compressors while others are added as standalone products. Depending on your application and its purity requirements, you can choose between a refrigerant dryer or a twin tower desiccant dryer or the highly efficient

                                            However, the most important thing you can do to protect your system from compressed air contamination is investing in the proper air treatment equipment.

                                            Various technologies are available to help you keep moisture out of your system, such as dryers and aftercoolers.

                                            • Air dryers
                                              As the name indicates, dryers dry your air by removing water from it. In some cases, they are already built into compressors while others are added as standalone products. Depending on your application and its purity requirements, you can choose between a refrigerant dryer or a twin tower desiccant dryer or the highly efficient Rotary Drum Adsorption dryer with guaranteed dewpoint of -40 degC at almost no cost. The latter is especially effective in removing moisture and creating super dry air in a very effective and economical way. 
                                            • Aftercoolers
                                              Aftercoolers are installed directly after the compressor and remove condensation from the system before it can contribute to the growth of microorganisms.  
                                            • Air filters
                                              Finally, you can and should also use

                                              However, the most important thing you can do to protect your system from compressed air contamination is investing in the proper air treatment equipment.

                                              Various technologies are available to help you keep moisture out of your system, such as dryers and aftercoolers.

                                              • Air dryers
                                                As the name indicates, dryers dry your air by removing water from it. In some cases, they are already built into compressors while others are added as standalone products. Depending on your application and its purity requirements, you can choose between a refrigerant dryer or a twin tower desiccant dryer or the highly efficient Rotary Drum Adsorption dryer with guaranteed dewpoint of -40 degC at almost no cost. The latter is especially effective in removing moisture and creating super dry air in a very effective and economical way. 
                                              • Aftercoolers
                                                Aftercoolers are installed directly after the compressor and remove condensation from the system before it can contribute to the growth of microorganisms.  
                                              • Air filters
                                                Finally, you can and should also use filters in several places throughout your system. They are an effective tool to combat the different types of compressed air contamination and meet your air quality and purity targets. 

                                              However, the filters themselves can also offer ideal environments for microorganisms if they are not replaced on a regular basis, so you should develop a plan for doing so.