Food grade lubricants must be specially blended to work in a variety of temperatures (from freezers to ovens) and must not contain mineral hydrocarbons, animal derived materials, nut oils or genetically modified ingredients. One of the major expenses of air compressors is in the maintenance of compressor oils or lubricants, more so with food grade systems. Lower cost, lubricated, machines can be safely used in these environments with food grade lubricants and the proper purification processes. The same filtration processes are required for purification with both lubricated and lubrication-free compressors. Oil vapors in the surrounding environment are still a concern. Although oil-free compressors do not inject their own oil into the air flow, they compress the same contaminated air as any other compressor. It is important to re-emphasize that oil-free compressors are NOT a requirement within the food and beverage industries. This oil can be in liquid form, such as aerosols and vapors. In addition to the contaminants drawn in from the atmosphere, oil lubricated compressors contribute small amounts of oil to the compressed air stream during the process. Additionally, they contain large quantities of air contaminants as well as providing an ideal warm and moist environment for micro-organisms. These contribute contamination in the form of rust and pipe scale. Sources 2 and 3 – Compressed Air Storage Devices and Distribution Systems These include: water vapor, atmospheric dirt, dust and pollen particles, oil vapor and micro-organisms. Large volumes of atmospheric air continually fill the system with microscopic contaminants.
It is important to understand these sources and their contaminants in order to remove and reduce the risk and ensure a safe and cost effective production facility. These contaminants come from four basic sources in a work environment. To most people there are three main contaminants types Dirt, Water and Oil. However, if proper precautions are taken, an oil/lubricant type air compressor can be successfully purposed, reducing the cost of the system. In some cases it can be more appropriate to use a more expensive oil-free air compressor to alleviate this risk. Pollutants such as dirt, rust, pollen, water vapor are rampant in work environments.Īnother primary source of contamination is the compressor itself and its oil, lubricants and hydrocarbons.
When ambient air is compressed, the contaminants within the air become concentrated. They are used in a variety of applications including controlling devices used in the processing operation (such as opening or closing a pneumatic valve on a reject device), handling the product and or packaging (ingredients handling and product transfers), or come into contact with a surface that contacts the product.Īs such, operating air compressors in a food grade environment carries a high concern for contamination. Use of air compressors and pneumatic tools is widespread within the food processing industry. Posted by Compressed Air Systems on Aug8:33 pm | Leave a Comment Request a Quote Contact Us We’re here to help!
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