Application of compressed air precision filters in the pharmaceutical field

Lefilter2024-04-03 BACK TO LIST

Compressed air precision filters play an important role in the pharmaceutical field, and their applications include but are not limited to the following aspects:

Ensure production safety and protect equipment: Air compressors in the pharmaceutical industry may contain dust and other particulate impurities in the air they suck. These impurities may cause wear to the moving parts of the air compressor (such as piston rings, cylinders, etc.), thereby shortening the service life of the equipment. The main responsibility of the compressed air precision filter is to capture these impurities, protect the machine, provide high-quality protection for the equipment, reduce wear and tear, and extend the service life of the equipment.

Guarantee product quality: In the pharmaceutical production process, the compressed air used for driving equipment or filling must be pure and free of impurities. If there are impurities such as tiny particles, moisture, oil, or bacteria in the air, it will seriously affect the quality and safety of medicines. Compressed air precision filters can effectively filter these impurities, provide high-quality compressed air for production, and ensure the safety and stability of pharmaceutical quality.

Optimize energy consumption and economic benefits: Modern compressed air precision filters generally use high-efficiency filter materials, which can reduce filter resistance and save energy consumption while ensuring good filtration performance. This optimization of energy consumption can bring significant economic benefits when handling large volumes of compressed air.

Meet GMP hygiene standards: Strict hygiene standards are a basic requirement for the pharmaceutical industry. The use of compressed air precision filters can filter out bacteria and microorganisms in the air, reduce the risk of contamination during the production process, and meet the high standards of GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice).

Reduce the burden on subsequent processes: In the entire compressed air treatment system, filters are often used in conjunction with other equipment such as dryers and filter separators. As pre-treatment equipment, it can remove most solid and liquid impurities and reduce the load on subsequent equipment. , reduce energy consumption and maintenance costs.

The structure of the entire pharmaceutical compressed air system, in the "Sterile Compressed Air" series of standards, generally includes suction filters, air compressors, coolers, soda-water separators, air storage tanks, pre-filters, precision filters, In drying equipment and other links, the pre-filter and precision filter are the compressed air filters we are talking about. They are an indispensable part of the entire process and play a decisive role in the entire process.

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The working principle of compressed air precision filter. This process mainly uses physical filtration and adsorption to remove impurities.

Initially, the compressed air containing impurities enters the filter first. At this time, the air already contains a large amount of oil, dust, water, rust and other impurities.

The compressed air then goes through a primary filtration process. In this step, the air enters the primary filtration area, which is mainly used to filter larger impurity particles. These larger impurities are blocked and continuously deposited to the bottom of the filter along the direction of air flow.

After initial filtration, the air enters a second round of filtration, which is a coalescing process. The main purpose of coalescence is to bring together medium-sized particles and water in the cylindrical filter element to form larger water droplets or solids. The purpose of this is to allow these medium-sized particles to be more easily separated in subsequent separations.

The collected air will enter the separation chamber. Here, due to the slowdown of the flow rate, the coalesced particulate matter and water droplets are thrown out of the gas-liquid mixture under the action of centrifugal force and inertial force, and deposited at the bottom of the filter to achieve preliminary separation of liquid and gas.

After the air passes through the separation chamber, it will next enter the precision filtration area. In this area, fine filter paper or fiber filter material is used to intercept and adsorb remaining particles in the air in detail. Even the smallest dust particles and water droplets will be effectively filtered out following the cohesion mechanism of Brownian motion.

After this series of processes, the air flowing out from the filter outlet has been cleaned with almost no impurities, reaching the corresponding filtration precision.

During the entire filtration process, the entire system utilizes physical filtration and adsorption mechanisms as well as precise control of the air flow rate and direction to achieve precision filtration of the air. Notably, this system is capable of removing not only solid particles and liquid droplets from the air, but also gaseous impurities, similar to oil vapor. Through such meticulous work, we can ensure the cleanliness and safety of compressed air in various harsh environments.

 

Advantages of compressed air precision filters:

Precise and effective filtration effect: The compressed air precision filter is equipped with high-efficiency filter materials and a carefully designed filter structure, which can effectively remove suspended impurities such as oil, water, and dust in the compressed air. Moreover, the particle size it can filter can be as fine as micron level, ensuring the cleanliness and consistency of the outlet air.

Extremely low pressure drop, greatly saving energy consumption: Compared with ordinary filters, precision filters have a lower pressure, which means less energy is consumed during filtration operations. This can greatly save operating costs for systems that require large amounts of compressed air.

Simple operation and maintenance: The design of the compressed air precision filter is to make it easy for users to operate and maintain. The filter element is easy to replace and does not require special tools or professional skills, which greatly saves human resources and improves work efficiency.

Stable operation in high-temperature environments: The filter element inside the filter has high strength, is resistant to high temperatures, and is not prone to deformation, allowing the filter to operate stably in high-temperature environments without affecting the filtration effect and lifespan. In this way, a stable filtration effect can be maintained whether in a high-temperature production workshop or in cold winter.

Quality Assurance: For industries that have strict requirements on compressed air quality, such as petrochemicals, food and pharmaceuticals, precision manufacturing, etc., using such precision filters can significantly improve the quality of their products and avoid production failures caused by impurities in the air.

Excellent structural design: The filter is designed with a straight-through open structure, so that filtered impurities can be stored directly into the liquid chamber, avoiding penetration through the filter element and increasing filtration efficiency. After impurities are deposited, they can be discharged through self-drainage, maintaining the cleanliness and filtration effect of the filter.

These advantages make compressed air precision filters widely used in many occasions with strict requirements. They have demonstrated their irreplaceable advantages in terms of performance and actual use effects. At the same time, the popularity and application of compressed air precision filters have also promoted the technological progress of related industries to a certain extent and made positive contributions to the development of compressed air filtration technology.

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Maintenance cost analysis of compressed air precision filter:

Durable materials and craftsmanship: Compressed air precision filters are usually specially treated with high-strength materials, such as fluorocarbon coatings, etc., which make the filter housing strong, high-temperature resistant, and wear-resistant. This design can reduce the frequency of daily maintenance replacement and reduce the possibility of refurbishment or replacement due to shell damage.

Design and selection of filter elements: Filter elements are key components in precision filters. The filter element, which is carefully designed and made of high-quality materials, has a longer service life, more outstanding filtration effect, and can maintain stable filtration effect for a long time. Long-life filter elements mean fewer replacements, thus reducing some maintenance costs.

Easy to install and remove: Compressed air precision filters are also designed with maintenance in mind. It has a compact structure and is easy to use and install, which reduces construction costs during installation and maintenance. In addition, the easy-to-disassemble structure also facilitates maintenance operations such as filter element replacement and pressure gauge inspection, achieving maintenance cost savings.

Reduce equipment failures caused by impurities: Impurities such as moisture, oil, and dust in compressed air can cause damage to equipment using compressed air, leading to equipment failure at worst and reducing equipment performance at worst. In this case, repairing or replacing the equipment will result in costly additional costs. The use of compressed air precision filters can effectively remove these impurities and reduce the possibility of equipment failure, thus saving the resulting maintenance costs.

Use standardized spare parts: Such filters often use standardized spare parts, such as pipes, interfaces, etc. The purchase of these standardized spare parts is convenient and the prices are relatively transparent, which helps to reduce the cost of replacing spare parts required for maintenance.

Automatic sewage discharge settings: Precision filters are often equipped with automatic sewage discharge devices. During the operation of the equipment, the system will automatically discharge the filtered impurities without manual intervention, which not only saves the trouble of manual cleaning, but also extends the use time of the filter element.

All things considered, the maintenance cost of compressed air precision filters is relatively low. Considering many aspects such as filter element life, shell strength, ease of maintenance, and reduction of equipment damage, investing in compressed air precision filters can reduce costs and improve operating efficiency in the long run.

 

The service life of the compressed air precision filter element is mainly considered based on the following points:

Cleanliness of the working environment: The cleanliness of the working environment directly affects the service life of the filter element. In a cleaner, less dusty environment, the life of the filter element can reach two years. Dust, oil smoke, and moisture in the environment may cause clogging of the filter element and cause it to fail prematurely. On the contrary, in a dirty environment, after the filter element withstands a large amount of dust and pollutants, the working efficiency will decrease and the service life will be significantly shortened, about half a year.

Filter element material and structure: The material and structural design of the filter element will also affect its service life. High-quality filter elements, such as advanced nanofiber and other materials, have compact structures and outstanding filtration effects. These can provide excellent filtration performance while ensuring a long service life. In some high-end filters, the service life of high-quality filter elements may be more than 10 years.

Maintenance and replacement of filter elements: Regular maintenance and replacement of filter elements are important measures to extend the service life of the filter element. For example, it is necessary to regularly check the degree of contamination of the filter element and promptly clean up the dust and dirt trapped on the surface of the filter element through filtration. When the filter element is severely clogged and the efficiency decreases, replacing the new filter element in time can avoid the decrease in filtration effect due to filter element failure.

Working pressure and temperature: Working pressure and temperature are also factors that affect the life of the filter element. Generally, filter elements will have a longer service life under lower pressure and temperature conditions. In high pressure and high temperature environments, the wear of the filter element may be accelerated and the service life will be shortened.

In actual operation, if the air intake conditions are good and there is no excessive dust, oil smoke and other pollution, the service life of the filter element can reach about 8,000 hours. However, it must be noted that this data will also be affected by actual working conditions.

In addition, there are evaluation methods based on continuous working hours. Some reports show that a good air compressor air filter can work continuously for 1500-2000 hours. However, this data will also be affected by actual working conditions.

Generally speaking, the service life of a filter element is the result of multiple factors, including environment, use, material and design. It is necessary to check and maintain the filter regularly and replace the filter element in time to ensure the normal operation of the filter and achieve the maximum service life.

 

The main methods to extend the service life of compressed air precision filter elements are as follows:

Keep the working environment clean: The cleanliness of the working environment directly affects the service life of the filter element. In an environment with good air quality, the service life of the filter element can be greatly extended. Therefore, keeping the air compressor room clean and reducing dust and impurities in the environment is crucial to protecting the filter element and extending its service life.

Install a pre-filter: Installing a pre-filter (filtration precision >5um) before the precision and high-efficiency filter can act as the first line of defense, blocking larger dust and impurities, reducing the load on the precision filter, thereby extending the life of the precision filter. The service life of the filter element.

Correct maintenance operations: The filter element should slowly increase or decrease the pressure during operation to prevent damage to the filter element due to sudden pressure changes. In addition, the filter should be ensured to operate under no overpressure or overtemperature conditions to ensure its service life.

Regular cleaning and maintenance: Regularly cleaning the dust and dirt on the filter element can ensure the filtration efficiency of the filter element and extend its service life. When cleaning the filter element, avoid using high-pressure air to prevent damage to the fragile filter element tissue and cause small ruptures.

Filter element material selection: Choosing high-quality filter materials and manufacturing processes, such as special anti-leak technology, can effectively improve the filtration effect, increase the filter area, and effectively reduce the pressure drop at the air inlet and exhaust port. , thereby extending the service life of the filter element.

Avoid excessive working pressure and temperature: Excessive working pressure and temperature may cause damage to the filter element and affect its service life. During design and actual use, appropriate working pressure and temperature should be maintained as much as possible.

Avoid excessive wear of the filter element: During the use of the filter element, excessive wear should be avoided. For example, frequent cleaning, vibration, etc. may lead to rupture or deformation of the filter element structure. Once damage or deformation occurs, the filter element should be replaced in time.

All of the above methods can be used to extend the service life of the compressed air precision filter element, but it should be noted that in actual operation, reasonable selection and application should be based on the specific conditions of the equipment and the use environment. Different devices and environments may require different strategies and approaches.

 

Compressed air precision filters have many ways to reduce energy consumption and improve economic efficiency. The following is a more detailed explanation:

Reduce pressure loss: Pressure loss in the filter will reduce the operating efficiency of the compressed air system and increase power consumption. For example, Donaldson Compressed Air and Process Filtration reports that a 150 hp air compressor consumes approximately 120 kW, and reducing the pressure drop by 2 psi can save up to 2% in energy consumption. In other words, at 120 kW, reducing pressure drop by 2 psi reduces energy consumption by 2.4 kW. This energy saving effect is very obvious for systems with long running time and heavy load.

Ensure good maintenance and replacement procedures: The filter element is a key component of the filter, and its condition directly affects the filtration effect and energy consumption. The filter element should be checked and replaced regularly to keep it in good condition. In addition, choosing a filter element with excellent performance and long service life can further reduce energy consumption and maintenance costs.

Use high-efficiency filtration equipment: High-efficiency filtration equipment not only provides better filtration effects, but its structure and working principle are also more in line with energy-saving requirements. For example, modern precision filters mostly adopt low pressure difference designs, which can effectively reduce energy consumption.

Reasonable layout of pipelines: Unreasonable pipeline layout and too many elbow joints will increase pressure loss and energy consumption. Reasonable layout and selection of pipelines can reduce pressure loss and further save energy.

Providing clean and dry compressed air: In compressed air systems, moisture and contaminants are also important factors that increase energy consumption. Moisture can cause corrosion of pipes and equipment, increasing the frequency of repairs and replacements, while contaminants can cause equipment wear and reduce efficiency. Drying and cleaning process compressed air can reduce system energy consumption, extend equipment life, and improve work efficiency.

Control the ambient temperature: If the ambient temperature of the compressor room is too high, it will reduce the efficiency of the air compressor, reduce the exhaust volume, and increase energy consumption. Every 10°C increase in ambient temperature is equivalent to a decrease in air compressor efficiency of approximately 3%.

Utilize cooling water to reduce power consumption: Through the correct use and maintenance of the cooler, the compression efficiency of the compressor can be improved, thereby reducing power consumption accordingly. For example, if the exhaust temperature drops by 10°C, power consumption can be reduced by 3%.

In these ways, compressed air precision filters can significantly reduce the energy consumption of compressed air systems and improve economic benefits. At the same time, this also helps to improve the working environment and improve work efficiency, thus bringing greater economic benefits.


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