Microorganism: How to prevent them from contaminating your compressed air?

Air pollution poses severe risks, particularly in the medical, pharmaceutical, food and beverage industries. We’ve gone in search of microorganisms for you: find out more about what is meant by microorganisms, why they can appear in your compressed air supply and how you can reduce, or even prevent, the growth of microorganisms. 

Microorganisms, also known as microbes, are microscopically small organisms that can be made up of either individual cells or cell aggregates. In other words, microorganisms are tiny living things that cannot be recognized with the naked eye.

There are different types, such as: 

• Bacteria: such as staphylococci (present on your skin and mucosa, in mammals and birds) and enterobacteria (present in the intestinal tract).
• Fungi:  such as moulds or fungal sprouts
• Parasites: such as protozoa, such as Giardia lamblia (inhabits the intestine and causes stomach pain).
• Viruses: such as influenza viruses

The best-known microorganisms found in compressed air systems are various fungi and bacteria. But why do they develop?

The compression process creates warm, moist air, a perfect breeding ground for mould, yeast, and bacteria. Without proper precautions, these microorganisms can compromise air quality and harm end products.

You are probably asking yourself “So can viruses also be found in my compressed air system?”. The answer is no. Unlike bacteria, viruses have a protein coat and a core of genetic material. Therefore, viruses depend on a host to survive and cannot multiply in compressed air systems.

Clean, dry compressed air is necessary to ensure efficient and productive manufacturing processes. But this is where microorganisms feel at home – compressed air is anything but dry. And therein lies the danger. Microorganism infestation in compressed air systems jeopardizes not only the quality of the air but also the quality of your end product. 

Yes! In just a few steps, you can prevent microorganisms in your compressed air system, reduce existing microorganisms and, ideally, avoid them in the long term.

A dryer, either integrated or as an external component, removes water from compressed air. Depending on the purity requirements of the application, you can use either a refrigerant dryer or an desiccant dryer. Desiccant dryers are capable of drying the air to a super-dry level, which can prevent the growth of microorganisms. Aftercoolers operate similarly and are located directly downstream of the compressor to remove condensation that would otherwise spread throughout the system.

You must ensure good filtration throughout the compressor system by using several filters simultaneously. Compressor filters must be well maintained and changed regularly. Filters provide an ideal environment for microorganisms to multiply if they are not properly maintained.

Our advice: replace your filter after the specified period. Even if, at first glance, your filter seems to be in perfect condition, it may be infested with microorganisms

Want to make sure your compressed air is clean? Then test it regularly for microorganisms such as bacteria, mould and mildew. There are several tests available to you. To find out which test is most suitable for your compressed air system, consult our compressed air experts. They will explain the different tests in more detail and evaluate which test is most suitable for you.

All compressed air systems leak, regardless of how often and how well they are maintained. Not only can they cost your company a lot of energy, but they are also ideal places for contaminants to build up and spread throughout the compressor system.

Therefore, repairing leaks not only reduces the number of places contaminants can enter but also increases the energy efficiency of your entire system.

When choosing the location of your room or equipment, opt for a cool, dry place. A cool compressor environment helps prevent microorganisms from multiplying so easily in the compressed air system.

Maintaining a clean, dry compressed air system is key to ensuring efficient operations and high-quality outputs. Implementing these best practices will help you mitigate risks and prevent contamination effectively. For tailored advice and testing, contact our experts today!