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The Unique Challenges of Compressed Gas Filtration

Compressed gases are an increasingly large part of what keeps our world moving!

Compressed gases are a common part of many industrial processes, including pharmaceutical manufacturing, cosmetic production, and applications in the food and beverage industry.

Additionally, compressed natural gas (CNG) and hydrogen are seeing increased adoption as alternative fuels. As sustainability initiatives and technological development progress, the markets for these compressed gas fuels is expected to skyrocket in the coming years.

However, did you know that compressed gases are also vulnerable to contamination?

Contamination is a well-known problem in hydraulic fluids and diesel fuel. In fact, the majority of premature equipment failure in fluid power applications is contamination-related.

Solid particulates and water can become ingested into these conventional fluid power systems, causing damage to components, lost productivity, and even total equipment failures.

Compressed gas systems can also be infiltrated by damaging contaminants, with similar consequences.

• Water vapor is present in all compressed gases and, in high concentrations, can cause corrosion and lower fuel efficiency. In methane applications, interactions with water contamination can even produce ice-like solids called ‘hydrates’ which can block valves and injectors, leading to system damage and potential failure.
• Oil can also leach into compressed gases via lubrication within the compressor system. In many of the manufacturing processes where compressed gas is used, including consumables, oil contaminants can be potentially hazardous to end product users. Contaminated product can lead to major monetary and reputational losses!
• Solid contaminants like dust and rust particulates are present in most operating environments. These particles can infiltrate a compressed gas system, causing system component wear, equipment failure, and potentially contamination in the final product.

Just like in conventional fluid power applications, filtration is the solution to contamination!

However, gas filtration has some unique challenges compared to liquid filtration:

Smaller Molecule Sizes

Gas molecules are much smaller than liquid diesel and hydraulic oil molecules! This means that even the tiniest breach in the filter’s construction can allow gas to escape. In flammable gas applications, leaks can be extremely hazardous.

Tiny Contaminants

Solid contamination particles in a gas system are also generally much smaller than in diesel and hydraulic systems. These ultra-fine particles, often less than 1 micron in size, require extremely fine filtration compared to most liquid applications.

Constant Pressure

Unlike diesel fuel and hydraulic oil, compressed gases must be pressurized at all stages of storage, transfer, and filling. This means that filters at all points in a compressed gas supply chain can be exposed to higher pressure.

Chemical Interactions

Compressed gases can have unique chemical interactions with different metals. Hydrogen embrittlement, for example, is the potentially catastrophic weakening of metals in the presence of hydrogen atoms.

Schroeder Industries’ filtration expertise extends into gas applications!

CGF Series: Comprehensive Filtration for Compressed Air and CNG

These versatile and effective gas filters offer excellent performance across a wide range of gas applications while remaining accessible and cost effective. The CGF Series is a great choice for operations requiring reliable gas filtration for compressed air and CNG!

• Cost-effective, high-performance for compressed gas filtration applications up to 5,000 psi.
• Proven performance in compressed gas and CNG applications.
• Comprehensive solutions for compressed gas from generation and transportation, to storage and filling, and even onboard applications.
• Powered by BestFit® CGF Elements, crafted from pleated microglass media with dual coalescing & particulate capabilities.

GF Series: Optimized Filtration for Hydrogen Applications

Due to higher pressure requirements and risks of embrittlement, hydrogen is one of the most demanding gas applications, requiring exceptional filter construction and design. Schroeder Industries’ GF Series brings the required performance for these challenging scenarios!

• Extremely robust, in-line gas filters for high-pressure applications up to 14,500 psi.
• Engineered with purpose-made, high nickel content stainless steel with strict surface tolerances to resist hydrogen embrittlement.
• Maintenance-friendly design prevents contamination of the clean side during element swaps without requiring dismantling of the compressed gas lines.
• Proven performance in hydrogen applications including fueling stations, storage and transport, diesel engine retrofit kits, power generation, and more.

Tell us about your gas filtration needs!

The filtration experts at Schroeder Industries can help you find the perfect solution for your compressed gas application.