Air quality testing

Compressed air is used in a wide variety of manufacturing and commercial applications, and in some industries the quality of the air is extremely important.

Compressed air typically has three main contaminants which are water, particles and oil.

Contaminants originate from three general sources:

1. Contaminants in the surrounding area of the compressor are drawn into the air system through the intake of the air compressor. Ingested contaminants appear in the form of water vapor, hydrocarbon vapours, natural particles and airborne particulates.
2. As result of the mechanical compression process, additional impurities may be introduced into the air system. Generated contaminants include compressor lubricant, wear particles and vaporised lubricant.
3. A compressed air system will contain in-built contamination. Piping distribution and air storage tanks, more prevalent in older systems, will have contaminant in the form of rust, pipe scale, mineral deposits and bacteria.