A new air quality monitoring solution is now available to help South African industries facilitate the continuous, remote online monitoring of compressed air quality in compliance with the global ISO 8573-1 air quality standard.

The Atlas Copco Air Quality Monitoring system is designed to measure key parameters such as particle concentration, dew point, oil vapour, and pressure concentration.

“High-quality compressed air is critical to protecting downstream equipment and finished products; for some manufacturing and processing operations in the food and beverage, petrochemical and electronics sectors, for example, 100% clean air is a prerequisite. Because the very process of compression inevitably introduces high concentrations of tiny particles such as dust and micro-organisms, the compressed air piping system is under constant attack from a range of contaminants. Compressed air also carries moisture and, in many cases, traces of oil,” explains Atlas Copco Compressor Technique sales manager: customer services and optimisation Saien Rugdeo.

He warns that expenses associated with poorly treated compressed air can far outweigh the initial investment in premium-quality equipment. “Discovering equipment-damaging and product-spoiling contamination during the quality control and testing phase can force costly shutdowns while the source of the problem is traced, directly impacting production efficiency and the bottom line.”

Rugdeo adds that the use of advanced compressed air systems with integrated air treatment solutions such as filtration and dryer technologies can help reduce energy use, boost machine reliability, improve efficiency, and protect product quality.

The company notes that the system is equipped with an Atlas Copco-designed local visualisation screen and that, once it has been installed and commissioned by the company’s technicians, it is able to measure air quality continuously and store data automatically.

The system enables permanent, automated monitoring and is suitable for a range of industries, allowing for the customisation of parameters to achieve and control desired air quality.

Live data is transmitted to SMARTLink, Atlas Copco’s digital platform that is engineered to safeguard the overall performance of the compressed air system. Integrated into the Air Quality Monitor, the platform provides remote access using a local area network. Users can use the system to check and analyse data, identify trends, customise monitoring settings and set alarm notifications when contaminant levels are near selected limits. An external light or siren can be integrated to provide visual or audible alerts.

The device is ready-to-use and includes a wall-mounted cabinet featuring a rugged IP54 housing that is designed to withstand demanding industrial environments. Suitable for all air compressor systems, the Air Quality Monitor can be installed on new and existing compressed air networks.  

In addition, Atlas Copco offers a subscription-based, real-time monitoring service contract that includes an Air Quality Monitor, a SMARTLink license, timely replacement of calibrated sensor frame, a calibration certificate at every replacement, and laboratory air analysis.