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Air Pollution Control
July 23rd, 2025
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October 21st, 2024
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April 30th, 2024
Compressed air and gas filtration and gas generation FAQ
Q: Is there a difference between compressed air and compressed gas?
- Yes, but often the terms are used interchangeably.
- Compressed Air is air from the atmosphere that has been compressed to a higher pressure than its surrounding environment. It typically consists of the same mixture of gases found in the atmosphere, primarily nitrogen (about 78%), oxygen (about 21%), and small amounts of other gases like argon, carbon dioxide, and water vapor.
- Compressed Gas refers to any gas that is stored under pressure in a container. The gas can be a single pure gas or a mixture of gases, and it is not limited to the composition of atmospheric air.
Q: What are three hazards associated with using compressed air?
- Using compressed air presents several hazards, including physical injury from high-pressure air, explosion and fire risks, and contamination and respiratory hazards. To mitigate these risks, it is essential to follow proper safety practices, use appropriate personal protective equipment, regularly inspect and maintain equipment, and ensure that all personnel are trained in the safe use of compressed air. By addressing these hazards proactively, you can create a safer working environment and prevent accidents and injuries.
Q: How does gas filtration work?
- Gas filtration involves removing contaminants from a gas stream using various mechanisms such as mechanical filtration, adsorption, coalescence, chemical filtration, and sterilization.
The choice of filter and filtration mechanism depends on the type of contaminants and the required purity level. Properly designed and maintained gas filtration systems are essential for ensuring the quality and safety of gases used in various applications, from industrial processes to medical environments.
Q: How does a compressed air filter work?
- A compressed air filter works by removing contaminants such as particulates, oil, moisture, and other impurities from the compressed air stream to ensure that the air is clean and suitable for its intended application.
- Mechanical Filtration:
- Interception: Particles follow the air streamlines and get caught by the fibers of the filter media.
- Inertial Impaction: Larger particles deviate from the air streamlines due to their inertia and collide with the filter fibers.
- Diffusion: Small particles move randomly (Brownian motion) and collide with the filter fibers.
- Straining: Particles larger than the pores of the filter media are directly blocked.
- Coalescence is used to remove liquid aerosols from the air stream. Small liquid droplets collide and merge (coalesce) into larger droplets within the filter media. These larger droplets are then drained away, leaving the air stream cleaner.
- Adsorption involves the adhesion of gas molecules or vapors onto the surface of a solid material, typically activated carbon. Activated carbon has a high surface area and porous structure, allowing it to adsorb a wide range of contaminants, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and odors.