Industrial vacuum pump filters (oil separators and air filters) are filters used in industrial vacuum pumps to remove particulate matter, debris and dust from the flow of air. Correctly positioned filters will stop foreign particulates from entering or exiting the vacuum pump. Good vacuum filtration is vital to ensure product longevity and performance and process quality. Filters are an essential part of any vacuum pump installation.

Vacuum Pump Filters should offer minimal pressure drops, thus ensuring optimum energy efficiency and process accuracy as vacuum levels are maintained.

There are two primary types of industrial vacuum pump filters; they include:

Inlet or Intake Filters - are often installed at a position inline before the vacuum pump air intake. They are made to protect the vacuum pump from contamination as a result of particulates from the process.

Exhaust Filters - are most commonly found on oil lubricated rotary vane vacuum pumps. Vacuum pump exhaust filters remove oil particulates from the outlet of the pump reducing oil carryover and retaining oil. Exhaust filters include a highly efficient filter cartridge that constantly drains the collected oil back to the machine's oil reservoir. This process enables users to reclaim lubricant and lead to longer vacuum pump uptime.

The main benefits of installing vacuum pump exhaust filter comprise of:

1. Improve the process environment. Vacuum pumps create oil mist. Installing a filter on the exhaust of the machine can dramatically reduce oil mist. This will reduce the buildup of oil particulates in the atmosphere that can lead to hazardous working environments. Downstream oil filters can further reduce the risk of accidental contamination into the process. This may be caused by blocked filters. Downstream filters will also reduce oil carryover
2. Remove Oil in Pipework. When a vacuum pump emits oily air, the contaminants can be expelled into the atmosphere in the form of oil mist. This can result in dirty inlet air for other devices such as packaging machines, compressors, heating and ventilation etc.
3. Recover Lubricants. Installing a vacuum pump exhaust filter can enable you to recover lubricants back into the vacuum pump oil separator housing. This reduces the frequency of required oil changes.
4. Lower maintenance costs. Correct filtration improves the life expectancy of wearable components within the machine. Doing this reduces the general costs and frequency of maintenance.