Activated carbon filters
The activated carbon filter is the final stage of the airclean series, colour coding black. It reduces the residual oil content to 0.003 mg/m³, reaching oil 1 to ISO 8573-1 – about a third of what the microfilter achieves on its own.
How the activated carbon filter works
The element consists of a non-woven medium impregnated with activated carbon. Activated carbon binds oil vapour and odorous substances by adsorption on its inner surface – it does not hold anything back mechanically but stores it, and eventually becomes saturated. To make sure no carbon particles are carried along, a downstream filtration of borosilicate microglass fibre web sits behind it. The operating pressure is a maximum of 16 bar, the minimum pressure 0 bar with a manual drain valve; the operating temperature runs from +1.5 to +80 °C.
Choosing the right activated carbon filter
The activated carbon filter always belongs behind a microfilter, never in front of it: liquid oil blocks the carbon immediately. Unlike the pre- and microfilter it is available only in the standard version – a differential pressure gauge would be useless here, because saturated carbon does not create a higher pressure drop. The change therefore belongs in the maintenance plan by operating hours. The size follows the flow (583 to 3,666 l/min at p₁ = 7 bar).
| Product group | Connection | Size | Max. pressure | Items |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Activated carbon filter (AF) airclean | G ¼, G ⅜, G ½, G ¾ | Size 50, Size 60 | 16 bar | 5 |
Typical applications
- Breathing and process air with odour requirements
- Food, beverage and packaging industry
- Pharmaceutical and medical technology
- Paint booths and coating plants
- Laboratory and analysis technology
Your advantages
- Worldwide shipping of all compressed air components and service units
- Large stock levels for many products – current lead time available on request
- Spare parts and service kits available
- Fast shipping via UPS (parcel) or freight forwarder (pallets), express delivery available on request
- Extensive hands-on application know-how
- Personal advice on selecting the right component
- Resellers receive volume-based discounts on request
- Large companies, public authorities and government agencies can order on account (request via our contact form)
Frequently asked questions
Why is there no differential pressure gauge here?
Because it would show nothing. Activated carbon does not clog mechanically – it saturates. The pressure drop stays low to the end, and the end of life only shows in the odour. That is why it is changed by operating hours.
What is the downstream filtration for?
It retains carbon particles that could detach from the medium. Without it, abrasion would reach the clean air side – a knock-out criterion in food and painting applications.
Is the air breathable afterwards?
The filter reduces the residual oil content to 0.003 mg/m³ but does not replace a breathing air system with the prescribed monitoring. Breathing air is subject to its own standards and test obligations.
