[TheForge] separate air systems or split system?

[James Binnion]

On May 14, 2009, at 8:28 AM, Bruce Freeman wrote:

> Theoretical notions only:
>
> Oil can be removed from air using a coalescing filter.  I do not know
> whether the cleanup is sufficient to use for painting, but my limited
> experience suggests it may be.

Coalescing filters only remove a majority of but not all the oil. It  
will depend on what quality work and what kind of paint is being used  
as to whether these filters will be enough. A coalescing filter  
followed by a paper roll filter (cartridge looks like a roll of brown  
toilet paper) will give high quality results.  You also want the same  
level of filtering for your plasma cutter as any moisture or oil in  
the air will greatly degrade tip life.


>
>
> Oil has to be added to the air in any event.  Would a semi-split
> system be possible:  A compressor and tank, with the usual measures to
> keep the air clean and dry.  Tap the tank for the paint  sprayer.  Tap
> it separately through a regulator (which acts as a check valve to
> prevent back-up of oily air) and oil this line only.

The best solution is to put a FRL (Filter Regulator Lubricator) at the  
point of use or at least at some down stream point and run most of the  
main distribution piping as clean as possible. Also run the main  
distribution piping at full compressor pressure  (175 psi for a 2  
stage compressor is typical) and regulate down to use pressure close  
to point of use. This way you will will not be as likely to see a  
pressure drop at the tool when running high volume consumption tool.



James Binnion
jbin at well.com