Microfilters for compressed air treatment units
A microfilter traps particles larger than 0.01 µm and oil mist from compressed air, including what an ordinary filter lets through. It is always connected after a coarser filter that pre-cleans the air.
Here you will find 0.01 µm microfilters from 2 ranges of air treatment units: metal B2 for an inlet pressure of up to 18 bar and FUTURA up to 16 bar, in sizes 1, 2 and 4 also for potentially explosive atmospheres. The table below shows how the ranges differ.
Microfilters by range
“Inlet up to” is the highest air line pressure the microfilter withstands. The flow applies to the largest thread of the range.
For the FUTURA range, the 12 bar inlet applies to the smallest size 0, which is not for use in potentially explosive atmospheres. The FUTURA flow is the optimum flow at an inlet of 6 bar and a pressure drop of 0.1 bar, so do not compare it directly with the B2 flow. The manual drain on B2 can be replaced with a float drain.
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In which order to connect the microfilter
Coarse dirt and water would quickly clog the fine microfilter element. That is why a coarser filter always goes before the microfilter: a separate filter or a pressure regulator with filter.
In the B2 range, the 20 µm filter comes first in the direction of flow, directly followed by the microfilter, then the pressure regulator and the lubricator. On FUTURA, put a 5 µm filter and a 0.3 µm pre-filter, which protects the microfilter element, before the microfilter. Where odour or oil vapours are a problem, add an activated carbon filter after the microfilter.
How to choose a microfilter
By air line pressure. For 18 bar, there is the metal B2 microfilter. FUTURA withstands 16 bar, the smallest size 0 only 12 bar. FUTURA microfilters need at least 1.5 bar at the inlet.
By environment. For potentially explosive atmospheres, there are FUTURA microfilters in sizes 1, 2 and 4. According to the declaration regarding Directive 2014/34/EU, you can use them in zones 1, 2, 21 and 22.
By flow. Add up the consumption of everything that will run after the microfilter at the same time and choose a size with a higher flow. For FUTURA, the stated flow is the optimum flow at a low pressure drop, when the element filters most effectively. Choose the size according to it.
By condensate drain. B2 microfilters have a manual drain in the bottom of the bowl; the B2FD float drain releases the condensate automatically. FUTURA has a semi-automatic drain; you select a different bowl and drain version as a variant on the product page.
When you need a microfilter
A microfilter suits spraying and anywhere the air must be very clean. The residual oil content after the FUTURA microfilter is 0.01 mg/m³, which is class 1 according to ISO 8573-1. For ordinary tools, a 5 or 20 µm filter is usually enough.
A microfilter traps water and oil droplets, but not water vapour. Dry air throughout the air line is provided by a compressed air dryer, and industrial filters clean the entire air line to a higher purity class.
Mounting and maintenance
Mount the microfilter upright, bowl down, and in the direction of the arrow on the body. Drain the condensate regularly and do not let it rise to the element.
The element gradually clogs and needs replacing; depressurise the microfilter before replacing it. On FUTURA sizes 1 to 4, you can tell clogging by a differential pressure indicator that can be fitted on the cap, otherwise by the pressure drop after the microfilter while air is drawn. You will find spare FUTURA microfilter elements among the spare parts and accessories.
Where to go next
| Related pages | |
|---|---|
| Where next | What you will find there |
| Filters for air treatment units | 5 and 20 µm filters and 0.3 µm pre-filters that go before the microfilter, as well as activated carbon filters. |
| Pressure regulators with filter | Filter and regulator in one body from 7 ranges. |
| FUTURA filters and microfilters | Sizes, bowl and drain versions, clogging indicators and spare elements. |
| Spare parts and accessories | FUTURA microfilter elements, bowls and the B2FD float drain. |
| Industrial compressed air filters | Filtration of the entire air line to a higher purity class according to ISO 8573-1. |
Ventilek’s tip
No oil after the microfilter. A lubricator would contaminate the cleaned air again. If the same unit also supplies tools that need lubrication, take the air for spraying with a manifold module before the lubricator.
- What is a microfilter?
- A filter with a very fine element that traps particles larger than 0.01 µm as well as oil and oil mist. It is connected after a coarser filter that pre-cleans the air.
- Why does another filter go before the microfilter?
- Coarse dirt and water would quickly clog the fine element. In the B2 range, a 20 µm filter goes before the microfilter; on FUTURA, a 5 µm filter and a 0.3 µm pre-filter.
- What inlet pressure can the microfilters take?
- Metal B2 18 bar, FUTURA 16 bar and the smallest FUTURA size 12 bar.
- Which microfilter is for explosive atmospheres?
- FUTURA microfilters in sizes 1, 2 and 4. Neither size 0 nor the clogging indicators are for use in potentially explosive atmospheres.
- How is condensate drained from the microfilter?
- On B2 manually, through the drain in the bottom of the bowl, or automatically with the B2FD float drain. FUTURA has a semi-automatic drain; an automatic one can be chosen as a variant.
- Does the microfilter remove moisture from the air?
- It traps water and oil droplets, not water vapour. Dry air throughout the air line is provided by a dryer.
Product sorting
List of products
Metal B2 compressed air microfilter with a G 1/2" thread and 0.01 µm filtration for pressure up to 18 bar. Flow 4300 l/min, manual condensate drain. It is always installed after...
Metal B2 compressed air microfilter with a G 3/8" thread and 0.01 µm filtration for pressure up to 18 bar. Flow 4300 l/min, manual condensate drain. It is always installed after...
Metal B2 compressed air microfilter with a G 1/4" thread and 0.01 µm filtration for pressure up to 18 bar. Flow 1750 l/min, manual condensate drain. It is always installed after...
