How to Improve Air Quality With Proper Filtration
Clean compressed air doesn’t happen by accident. It takes the right filters, maintained at the right intervals, working together as part of a well-designed system. When filtration is overlooked — even for a short time — you start to see problems: contamination, tool wear, product defects, pressure drop, and unnecessary downtime.
At Industrial Air Services, we’ve helped facilities across Nashville, Knoxville, and Chattanooga improve their air quality with proper filtration setups tailored to their exact needs. Here’s what you need to know about keeping your air clean and your system protected.
1. Why Air Quality Matters More Than People Think
Compressed air is used everywhere: powering tools, running actuators, packaging food, spraying paint, operating controls, and even cleaning surfaces. If contaminants get into your system, they spread fast.
Poor air quality can cause:
Corroded piping
Sluggish pneumatic tools
Product contamination
Blocked valves and actuators
Increased maintenance costs
Pressure drops
Reduced equipment life
Good filtration protects your production, your equipment, and your bottom line.
2. The Three Main Types of Contaminants
A proper filtration system removes three things:
1. Particulates (dust, rust, dirt)
Often pulled in from ambient air or generated inside old piping.
2. Oil (vapor, aerosols, or liquid)
Common in oil-lubricated compressors and older systems.
3. Moisture (vapor and liquid water)
One of the biggest problems in Tennessee’s humid climate.
Each contaminant requires a specific type of filter — no one filter does everything.
3. The Different Filters and What They Do
There are four main filters used in most compressed air systems:
1. Particulate Filters
These remove dust, rust flakes, and solid particles. They’re usually placed at the start of the air treatment system.
2. Coalescing Filters
These capture fine oil aerosols and small water droplets — the toughest contaminants to remove. They’re essential for clean, dry air.
3. Activated Carbon Filters
These eliminate odors, vapors, and oil vapor residues. They’re used when air purity is critical, such as in food or pharmaceutical production.
4. Intake Filters
Located on the compressor itself, these prevent contaminants from entering the system in the first place.
A strong system uses multiple filters, each doing its part.
4. Why Filter Placement Is Critical
Filters must be placed in the right order to work properly. A typical setup looks like:
Aftercooler (cools air from the compressor)
Moisture separator
Particulate filter
Coalescing filter
Dryer
Final filter (optional)
Point-of-use filters at critical applications
Placing filters before and after the dryer ensures moisture and oil are removed at every stage.
5. Point-of-Use Filters Provide Extra Protection
Even with great filtration upstream, contaminants can re-enter air lines through leaks, old pipes, or maintenance activity.
Point-of-use filters protect:
Packaging lines
Food contact surfaces
Paint booths
CNC machines
Pneumatic controls
Quality-sensitive processes
If your air touches your product, you need point-of-use filters.
6. Poor Filtration Causes Pressure Drop
High-quality filters improve performance, but clogged or undersized filters do the opposite. They create pressure drop — forcing the compressor to work harder to maintain the same output.
Signs your filters are restricting airflow:
Tools lose power
Pressure drops at the end of distribution lines
Compressor cycles more frequently
Airflow feels “weak” at the point of use
Replacing a clogged filter often restores full performance instantly.
7. Tennessee Humidity Makes Filtration Even More Important
Humidity doesn’t just create water — it increases oil carryover and encourages microbial growth in piping. Filters have to work harder in the summer, and cheap filters get overwhelmed quickly.
Many Tennessee plants use:
Oversized filters for longer life
High-efficiency coalescing filters for oil removal
Dual-stage filtration to handle heavy moisture loads
Matching your filters to your climate is key to maintaining clean air all year long.
8. How Often Should Filters Be Replaced?
This varies by system and demand, but common guidelines are:
Particulate filters: every 6–12 months
Coalescing filters: every 6–12 months
Carbon filters: every 3–6 months
Intake filters: every 3–12 months depending on environment
However, pressure drop is the real indicator. If pressure drop across a filter rises, it’s time to change it.
9. Choose High-Quality Filters — It Matters
Cheap filters may look the same from the outside, but they can:
Allow oil carryover
Fail prematurely
Collapse internally
Restrict airflow
Produce inconsistent results
High-quality filters reduce long-term costs by protecting equipment and extending compressor life.
10. Get an Air Quality Assessment
If you’re seeing unexplained contamination, water buildup, tool failures, or pressure drops, your filters may be undersized or placed incorrectly.
A professional air quality assessment identifies:
Which contaminants are present
Whether your filters are properly sized
Whether your dryer is functioning correctly
Piping issues that contribute to contamination
At Industrial Air Services, we design filtration systems that match your demand, your climate, and your production needs.
Clean Air Starts With the Right Filtration
Proper filtration protects everything downstream — your tools, your equipment, your products, and your long-term operating costs. With the right setup and regular maintenance, your air system will deliver clean, dry, reliable air every day.
If you’re unsure about your current air quality, we can help you evaluate your system and recommend the filtration that fits your operation perfectly.
Industrial Air Services proudly serves Nashville, Knoxville, and Chattanooga, providing filtration upgrades, compressed air audits, dryer service, and custom-designed air treatment solutions.
📍 138 Bain Drive • LaVergne, TN 37086
📞 (615) 641-3100
🌐 www.industrialairservice.com
