Why Compressed Air Purity Matters

Compressed air systems have a significant number of contaminants such moisture, oil, particles, mould, yeast, bacteria and trace amounts of toxic gases. These contaminants can be introduced from multiple sources within the compressed air system – from the compressor room to production. It is not enough to assume that because the system has oil free compressors, dryers or filters that the purity of compressed air sufficiently meets the sites needs or compliance standards such as BRC, SQF, HACCP or GMP.

Several issues can arise from unmonitored and insufficiently maintained compressed air purity dependent on the level of contact with products. It is common to find points where compressed air makes direct contact with products with insufficient contamination control.

Compressed Air Contaminants

Particles

Particles come from within the system and include rust, corrosion, metals, plastics along with other materials. These are typically formed as the system degrades over time and with issues arising from moisture contamination.

Moisture (Dew Point)

Moisture within the system carries high levels of contamination and causes significant damage to components leading to reliability issues and increased maintenance costs. Uncontrolled moisture levels put products at risk by allowing contamination to come in direct contact with the product or packaging

Oil

Most compressors have some level of oil lubrication and are in environments where airborne hydrocarbons are present such as near driveways, roads, or other equipment. As the compressor draws in these contaminants, they are injected into the compressed air system and build up over time. Similar to moisture oil and hydrocarbons can come into direct contact with products and packaging

Microbials

Microbials live in compressed air systems, These include bacteria, yeast and mould. Whenever the dew point is above approximately -25°C these microbials can flourish and similarly to other contaminants can come in direct contact with products. Microbials cannot be completely removed from compressed air systems but their growth can be prevented by maintaining a dew point below -25°C.

Who should get an Air Purity Test?

The requirements for testing the compressed air purity vary depending on the site and how the compressed air is used. Some common standards that impact the compressed air testing include:

• AS1715 for breathing air,
• ISO8573.1 for Food, Beverage and Pharmaceutical
• AS2568 and AS2896 for medical gas systems.

How can Compressed Air Alliance help?

Compressed Air Alliance has experience conducting air purity tests at pharmaceutical, food and beverage sites across Australia. Our air purity tests meet ISO8573 and AS1715 standards. We can:

• test your air and gas system to ISO8573 and AS1715 standards. This includes testing compressed air for oil, water (moisture) and solid particles
• arrange microbial testing, if required
• help you set purity requirements to ISO8573 or AS1715 standards for your site
• identify equipment requirements and point of use treatments in order to achieve your site-based air purity requirements. This will ensure your system remains reliable, trouble free and clear of contaminants. 

We offer air purity testing Australia wide, including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and regional areas. Contact us for a quote or to find out more about compressed air purity tests.

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