Strive for greater product purity, more efficient processes, less wastage and increased safety.
In PSA plants components of air -nitrogen and oxygen- are separated using membranes. Any oil in the compressed air will be deposited on the membranes, which then have to be replaced at a huge cost. Contamination of the gases will also be a result.
Compressed air supplies oxygen to the bacteria during fermentation to produce such chemicals as citric acid. The presence of even small oil traces will kill the bacteria and contaminate the end product.
In control valves and actuators activated by compressed air, contamination causes malfunction and jamming. Moreover, instruments always vent air, which if oily, will spoil the end product and cause harm to humans.
Compressed air plays a direct role in aeration processes, supplying oxygen for the oxidation of chemicals. Traces of oil will hamper the process and may even result in a different end product.
In some chemical processes, oil-free air is most critical to eliminate the possibility of explosions. An example is the generation of oxygen from compressed air and its subsequent compression and use.
PET resin beads are produced and transported using compressed air. Oil in the compressed air will contaminate the resin. Result: a different composition of the end product when the beads are sintered. Also, a fire hazard.
Compressed air is used for pneumatic transport of materials such as PVC, PTA and DMT chips. Oil contamination will cause quality defects and pipe clogging, as well as a fire hazard.