5.5.2. Dust separators


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Fig. 5.23: Cyclone separator
After coming out of the compressor, the compressed air contains water in the form of steam and also droplets of condensate. These droplets are formed during the compression process because the air is no longer able to accommodate it when its volume is reduced.

This water normally deposits in the storage tank as the compressed air become more inert. From there the condensate is drained off.
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<BR>Operating principle

The dust separator operates according to the principle of mass inertia. It consists of a vortex cartridge and a catch pan. The vortex cartridge is designed to put the compressed air into rotary movement. Solid and liquid components in the air are forced against the inside walls of the pan by their own mass inertia. This causes heavy particles of dirt and water to separate. These separated impurities flow past a baffle plate into the collection chamber. The baffle plate also prevents the flow of air from taking the separated liquid with it.

The condensate can be drained off automatically or by hand from the collection chamber and properly disposed of or treated.


Features
    • Almost complete separation of water droplets.
    • Heavy particles of dust and dirt filtered out.
    • The filtering capacity of the dust separator depends on the flow speed of the air. The higher the flow speed, the more efficient the filter is. Of course, when the flow speed increases the pressure loss in the separator rises also.


Areas of application
    • No compressed air receiver in the pipeline system.
    • Large distances between the compressor and the receiver. If the receiver is a long way from the compressor, then it makes sense to install a cyclone separator directly down-stream of the compressor. It prevents unnecessary „transport of water“ in the pipeline.
    • Rising lines between the compressed air receiver and the compressor. The line between the compressor and the receiver goes vertically upwards. When the compressor is idle the condensate flows back into the compressor. In this case it makes sense to install a cyclone separator directly down-stream of the compressor.