Filtration works in tandem with air dryers but serves a distinct purpose. Filter elements are designed to control residual oil content, particulate counts, and moisture — each playing a critical role in the overall quality of your compressed air supply. At Columbus Compressor, our team applies deep technical knowledge to select and configure the right combination of filters to achieve the specific air purity class your application demands, whether that’s standard general plant air or medical-grade breathing air. While a 1-micron pre-filter paired with a 0.01-micron post-filter represents the most common configuration, we engineer custom filtration solutions tailored to your exact requirements.
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AFS-100
AFS-50
DF Series
- High performance — the flow-optimized filter design, paired with innovative filtration technology, reduces pressure loss by 50% compared to conventional filters.
- Safety — the unique bayonet lock ensures that the filter cannot be opened under pressure for increased safety.
- Energy savings — you will find that greater energy savings are achieved through timely filter element replacement. Element change out is determined by the Economizer that continuously measures the differential pressure. An integrated microprocessor evaluates the measured data and compares the higher energy costs caused by pressure loss with the costs of a new filter element.
ELM Series
GON Series
Process Liquid, Steam, and Sterile Filtration
Frequently Asked Questions About Compressed Air Filtration
At a minimum, a pre-filter should always be installed ahead of the dryer to protect its internal components — particularly from residual oil content, which can degrade dryer performance over time. While this filter does begin to remove moisture from the system, its primary function is equipment protection. We typically recommend both a pre-filter and a post-filter, as the combination meaningfully improves the overall quality of air throughout your facility.
The industry standard for filter element replacement is annually. However, facilities operating in particularly harsh environments or those required to maintain strict air purity classifications may need to change them more frequently. For most applications, though, a yearly replacement schedule is sufficient.
Yes, most customers come to us with a manufacturer-specified air purity class or a general recommendation — and that's all we need. From there, we take care of the system design, engineering a filtration solution that precisely meets those requirements so our customers can focus on running their operation.
This is a misconception we encounter frequently. Many customers come to us believing that a requirement for clean, dry, oil-free compressed air automatically means they need an oil-free compressor — but that is not always the case. In most situations, a standard oil-flooded compressor paired with the right filtration system can achieve the oil-free air quality their equipment demands.
Unless your application requires an ISO air purity classification that specifically mandates the use of an oil-free compressor, our filtration solutions can typically reduce oil content to levels that meet or exceed your equipment specifications — delivering the air quality you need without the added cost of an oil-free unit.