An air separator removes water and oil from compressed air to prevent damage to pneumatic tools. It can be a multiple filter apparatus and is available at home improvement stores.
An air separator is a device used to remove water and oil from compressed air. Typically mounted on a wall near the air compressor, the air separator can be a multiple filter apparatus. The act of compressing air creates a generous amount of heat which leads to condensation and water in the supply air. Small amounts of oil often seep past the bearings and end up in the air, creating contaminants in the air supply. The use of air separating filters prevents a drop of oil or water from ruining the paintwork or causing rust in a pneumatic tool.
Many times when using a high volume air tool like a sander, water will start to drip from the air exhaust onto the tool. This is created by the heated, compressed air cooling down. The bottom of most air compressor tanks contain large amounts of water and must be emptied weekly. Even if equipped with an air separator, the benefits of emptying the water from the compressor tank are well worth the time it takes to do so. Rust can form inside the compressor tank and an air separator will not fix this problem.
Pneumatic tools benefit particularly from the use of an air separator. The water in the air tank and hose can damage the internal workings of an air tool. Impact tools are particularly affected by water with torque loading severely affected by water damage.
The effects of water in the use of pneumatic tools can be drastically reduced by installing an air separator in the supply line that goes from the compressor to the tool. In particularly humid weather, air tools can actually drip water while in use if they don’t have the aid of an air separator. This dripping water can damage vital engine components if accidentally allowed to drip into the engine compartment.
Found in most home improvement stores as well as hardware and farm supply stores, air separator filters can be purchased for minimal cost and installed in minutes. Most filters are reusable and can be emptied once filled with water. Some of the exhaust filters are not reusable; however, their minimal cost allows them to be exchanged without spending a lot of money. It is important that filters are monitored and maintained in an operational state because if they are full of fluids, they will offer no protection from contaminants.
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