Why moisture is the biggest contaminant in compressed air
Because the ambient air that surrounds us is never perfectly dry, there is always moisture in compressed air. In total volume, this moisture is the most prominent contaminant that you have to deal with. If left untreated, it can cause serious and expensive problems in your compressed air system, your production processes and even your end products. The moisture enters your system through the intake in the form of water vapor. That makes it a so-called “atmospheric contaminant.” During the compression process, the vapor is turned into condensate. How much moisture you end up with in your compressed air depends on a variety of factors. For example, if the compressor room is especially hot and humid, the water content increases. And facilities near the ocean are also problematic because there the intake air also contains salt.