[labnetwork] Air Compressor for Grade 1.1.1 Air

[Kuhn, Jeffrey G]

Hello All,

We are planning to purchase a backup air compressor to produce electronics grade air (Grade 1.1.1) for our cleanroom and laboratories here Birck. I am able to source an oil-flooded compressor for about 1/3 the cost of an oil free unit. In order to protect the cleanroom from hydrocarbons, we would need to install a series of particulate filters, separators, oil mist filters, and vapor adsorbers after the compressor. However, it appears we can achieve the air quality we need and still realize a lower system installation cost with an oil-flooded compressor versus an oil-free unit.

Our current air compressor is oil-free and I have little experience with oil-flooded designs. Do any of your facilities use an oil-flooded compressor for Grade 1.1.1 air, and if so what have your experiences been? I'd be interested in learning about filter change frequencies, annual maintenance costs (vs. oil-free), and of course whether there have been any unexpected contamination issues caused directly or indirectly by an oil-flooded compressor (hopefully the latter has not happened).

Thank you in advance for your thoughts.

Jeff Kuhn
Facility Engineer
Birck Nanotechnology Center
Purdue University
1205 W. State St.
West Lafayette, IN 47907
Ph:  (765) 496-8329
Fax: (765) 496-2018


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