Summer brings not only sun and heat, but also considerable challenges for industrial operations – especially for compressed air treatment. Rising ambient temperatures and high humidity directly impact the efficiency, quality, and operational reliability of your compressed air system. Without targeted preparation, downtime, quality issues, and unnecessary costs are a threat. At FILCOM GmbH, we know from experience what challenges summer brings for your compressed air treatment. We can help you identify the typical problems that arise during the warmer months and show you how to reliably avoid them with simple tricks.
1. Refrigeration dryers at their limit: When dew point control fails
Refrigeration dryers are designed for specific ambient temperatures. If these rise above 30°C, many devices can no longer reliably achieve the required pressure dew point. This can have fatal consequences:
- The compressed air contains too much moisture.
- Clumping, corrosion, or damage to machines and end products occurs.
- The actual pressure dew point deviates significantly from the displayed target value.
Tip: Check whether your dryer is also designed for temperatures above 30°C – and whether the actual dew point value is monitored.
2. More humidity = more condensate = more risk
On humid summer days, the air drawn in contains significantly more water. The result:
- The amount of condensate in the compressed air system increases rapidly.
- Condensate drains and oil-water separators are at risk of being overwhelmed.
- Backflow, leaks, or even production downtime are not uncommon.
Tip: Check the function of all condensate drains. Oil-water separators should be prepared for increased volume.
3. Dust, pollen and fine dust: Filters under constant stress
In summer, the air is often not only warmer but also dustier – whether due to Sahara dust, flower pollen, or high levels of fine dust. The result:
- Filters clog up faster.
- The pressure drop increases – and with it, energy consumption.
- The service life of your filters is significantly reduced.
Tip: Monitor the differential pressure of your filters regularly. A simple change can result in noticeable energy savings.
4. Warm intake air = More oil vapor in the compressed air
The higher the intake air temperature, the hotter it gets inside the compressor – and the more oil vapor enters the compressed air. This not only negatively impacts downstream processes (e.g., painting, packaging), but also poses a potential quality risk.
Tip: Measure the intake air conditions regularly. Targeted fresh air flow can significantly reduce oil vapor contamination.
5. Summer operation = Higher risk - but also high savings potential!
What many people don't know:
A clogged pre-filter can lead to an additional pressure loss of just 0.3 bar. This sounds harmless, but for a 75 kW compressor, it causes up to €1,200 in additional costs per year – just due to unnecessary energy consumption. A simple check makes all the difference.
Your advantage: The summer check for your compressed air system
With a professional summer check, you can uncover weak points before they become a problem.
Therefore, contact the FILCOM team of experts and take advantage of our analysis services!
- Analysis of dryer performance at high temperatures
- Testing of condensate management under full load
- Assessment of filter condition and pressure drop
- Measurement of elevated oil vapor levels in warm intake air Individualized recommendations for action - without sales pressure
- Individualized recommendations for action - without sales pressure
Therefore, at FILCOM, we recommend: Prevention instead of downtime!
Summer is a real test for your compressed air treatment system. With a targeted summer check, you not only secure your production but also avoid unnecessary costs and quality losses.
So ask yourself:
- Is your system capable of handling temperatures above 30°C?
- Do you know its actual pressure dew point?
- Are your traps and filters still functioning properly?
- Do you have an emergency plan?
If you can't answer "yes" to all of these questions, then it's high time for an inspection.
Contact us now!
Start the hot season together with FILCOM GmbH and have your analysis carried out by our experts.