Hydraulics & Pneumatics Magazine June 2024

COMPRESSED AIR, VACUUM, AND GENERATORS ERIKS UK & Ireland has launched a new compressed air filtration technology - Expel. The compressed air filter continually removes 99.9999% of water, oil emulsion fluids and solid particulates down to 1 micron. Its design means that users never have to change any internal elements, but simply fit and forget. Typically, it would take three conventional compressed air filters – one each for water, oil emulsion and solid particulates – to do the job of one Expel. Traditional compressed air filters are only 60- 80% efficient, even when they are operating at optimum performance levels, and can be overwhelmed with contaminants quickly as their disposable internal elements become less effective over time. Expel offers a new approach to compressed air filtration. The product has been engineered using Computational Fluid Dynamics and does not require any replacement filter elements, ensuring that its performance will not fall below 99.999%. Expel guarantees that pneumatic equipment is fully protected down to 1 micron against liquid water, oil emulsion fluids and solid particulates all in a single unit when installed at point of use. Expel technology does not need servicing and is virtually maintenance free. There’s no membrane filter, no holes to become blocked and no moving parts to fail. And although cleaning is not necessary, the Expel is fully cleanable and reusable if required. It’s also simple to install, with the same port and attachment threads as all current conventional compressed air filters. Installing Expel filters can reduce downtime as pneumatic equipment will not fail because of moisture and solid particulates in the compressed air lines. Expel can also increase the efficiency of sites by providing superior equipment protection, all in a single unit. In addition, Expel can reduce the cost of replacement equipment as it facilitates clean and liquid free compressed air that extends the life of pneumatic equipment. It also reduces energy costs by providing a consistently low pressure drop. An additional benefit of the product is that in some instances it can be used to replace both air dryers and refrigerant dryers. This offers multiple cost-saving benefits as the product does not require electricity or any other consumables to operate and is guaranteed to remove all liquid water at the point of use. The units can also be used alongside refrigerant dryers and desiccant dryers acting as a failsafe and ensuring critical pneumatic equipment is always protected. The range of Expel units, exclusively available from ERIKS, conform to ISO 12 500 standards and operate with flow rates up to 100cfm, port sizes from ?” to 2” and operating pressures from 1 to 15 bar. The ground-breaking performance of Expel is reinforced by a 10-year guarantee offered on every unit. For full technical details visit: https://ow.ly/6noo50RvQrk 36 HYDRAULICS & PNEUMATICS June 2024 www.hpmag.co.uk In today’s climate of fluctuating energy prices, the inefficiency of compressed air delivery systems can be a significant financial burden. System leaks and outdated filters exacerbate this issue, but an optimised setup can yield substantial savings. Donaldson, a leader in filtration solutions, has demonstrated this potential through a series of efficiency projects. One recent initiative involved 12 compressed air efficiency projects across its facilities, resulting in an annual energy demand reduction of 496 MWh. This saving is equivalent to powering 220 electric cars for a year or making nearly 2400 round trips between Land’s End and John o’ Groats. As experts in air filtration, Donaldson’s ability to identify and implement these efficiencies highlights the potential for similar savings in other industries reliant on compressed air. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, generating compressed air can account for up to 30% of a plant’s electricity costs. Fortunately, these costs can be mitigated through measures like stopping leaks and using high-quality filters and components designed for optimal performance with minimal pressure losses. Donaldson says its filter media and flow-optimised filter housings are key to unlocking these energy-saving potentials. Advanced filtration technologies Donaldson’s Ultra-Web fine fibre technology for inlet air filters provides efficiencies of 99.99%, combining superior dust surface loading with a low pressure drop to contribute to energy savings. The company’s advanced oil filters, utilising resin-free Synteq XP technology, trap contaminants effectively while maintaining low pressure drops and extended service life, further reducing the total cost of ownership (TCO). Once air leaves the compressor, it undergoes several treatment stages. Donaldson’s UltraPleat filtration technology uses coated high-tech fibres to create a pleated filter medium with a surface area over 400% larger than traditional media. This technology achieves oil aerosol separation efficiencies of ≥99.9% while New maintenance free compressed air filter does the job of three conventional filters Optimising compressed air systems: Reducing costs and enhancing sustainability

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