Condensate Management

What is compressor condensate?

Compressor condensate is the formation of water that occurs naturally when an air compressor is in use and the air purification process is taking place.

Some of the risks associated with poor condensate management are:

• Build up of moisture can damage compressor pipes
• Condensate from a compressor can combine with oil to create an acidic and oily sludge that can corrode pipes and pneumatic tools which can be expensive to repair
• If the oily condensate is not removed before entering the sewage system, it can cause environmental damage

Therefore, condensate treatment is not only the responsible thing to do; in most countries it’s the law as a means to protect the environment against significant damage.

What types of condensate management exist?

Maziak are on hand to supply and fit a wide range of reliable, clean and cost-effective industrial condensate treatment solutions. The Atlas Copco OSC (pictured on the right) works to remove all traces of oil from the condensate of the compressor. It’s multistage filtration system means that it can achieve oil content of up to 10 ppm at the outlet point. Further to this, the OSC offers zero-hassle maintenance thanks to its easily removable filter bags and cartridges.

Whether it be a low, medium or high-pressure system that requires you to purchase a condensate management solution, Maziak have got your needs covered with the highly efficient and reliable OSC Oil Water Separator. Some of the features associated with this piece of equipment are listed below:

• Dual-stage polypropylene filtration and activated carbon to remove a wider range of oil types, resulting in air with higher purity
• Organoclay cartridges available for adsorption of various oils and stronger emulsions
• Built with a test outlet to verify filtration performance
• Service indicator to signal that the polypropylene filter is saturated
• Easily removable filter bags and cartridges for quick and simple maintenance

The OSC Oil Water Separator comes in range of types and sizes to suit the requirements of different industries. For instance, we have the OSC 12-15 which are small single-use units, the OSC 12-625 are two-stage units, and the OSC 1250-2500 are three-stage units. This range has been designed with maximum flexibility in mind.

What affects the amount of condensate that forms?

While condensation is a naturally occurring process, there might be other reasons behind your air compressor producing a lot of condensate.

Air temperature, humidity, compressor size and the pressure being applied are all variables which influence the amount of condensate being produced. For example, humid air has a higher moisture content than cold air and so a larger amount of water vapour is produced within the compressor, and more condensate will form.

The Maziak Promise

At Maziak, we understand the importance of keeping managing your condensate when operating an air compressor.

With proper condensate management steps in place, you can save money that would otherwise be spent on replacing air compressor components that have been damaged by moisture build-up, not to mention you will also be doing your part for the environment as we have already discussed.

Whether you are looking to invest in new equipment, upgrade your compressor or simply discuss your condensate management needs, a member of our team will be happy to help.

Supplied and fitted by Maziak, Atlas Copco has a wide range of reliable, clean and cost-effective industrial condensate treatment solutions. For all your low, medium and high pressure systems.  For example, thanks to its multistage filtration, Atlas Copco’s OSC (pictured) removes oil from your compressor’s condensate with unmatched precision to achieve an oil content of 10 ppm at outlet. In addition, the OSC offers zero-hassle maintenance thanks to its easily removable filter bags and cartridges.