Old Bauer Filters

[Guy Manners]

I have a Bauer Kapitan (K14) - about 40 years old.... it has filter housings on it that maybe aren't the originals, but then again, maybe.... I'm trying to find a way to tell if the filters are saturated.
On each there is the Condensate valve (non-automatic) on the bottom - my question is, does the condenate come from the air before filtration, or after? I have 2 housings, inline - for mixing Nitrox by Top-up method. Thus I reckon IF this is before filtration, the if the 1st filter gives water /oil up from the valve, it's OK , but if the 2nd fliter gives out anything it means the 1st filter is saturated.
But if this condensate comes from the air after filtration - then I have to re-think......
Any input/experience?
My other Comnpressor has a Securus system. Much easier, and saves wasting filters when they're not dead......

 

[CraigAClark]

Most filter manufacturers have designated a shelf life and an installed life for their product. Generally shelf life is 2-3 years and installed life is 6 months. If you are running a business and provide gas for customers, I would highly advise sticking to the manufactures recommendations. Assuming liability, by running filters past the OEMs guidelines is asking for trouble, IMO.

Bauer made both a Capitano and K14 model. The Capitano was a three stage unit and the K14 was a four stage unit. Condensate traps (separators) were designated as interstage and final. An oil lubricated compressor does not produce breathing quality air by itself. Air that leaves the final separator must be processed through a filtration system designed to produce breathing quality air. In some designs, final separator/filter combos were used. Not a very efficient filtration system, IMO. Like all technology, advances have been made in filtration. Kotexs are nolonger considered acceptable, nor are many of the filtration designs of the past.

Separators are usually just that, There are no purifying cartridges/chemicals in them. If the compressor and separators are in good operating condition, you will find that the first interstage separator will yield the most condensate and it will get progressively less at each higher stage separator.

My suggestion, if the filter cartridge/chemicals have been installed for more than six months, they need to be replaced.

Craig

 

[Guy Manners]

Thanks craig - don't worry, we replace them a lot more frequently than that! And there's my problem - we replace them so often, because we have to guess how long they last, so we err on the side of safety.
Of course we have the separators - but at the bottome of each filter house, is a condensate drain. My question still stands; does this condensate come from before the air is filtered, or after?
or to check it myself, does anyone have a diagram of this housing??
Btw its a K14 (4-cyclinder).
Thanks for the advice!

 

[DT]

The instilation of a check and priority valve on your filter processing tower will extend your filter life.This valve is used to maintain a minimum pressure of 1800 PSI on the filtration system. Filtration systems work much more efficiently at higher pressures and allow for more moisture removal at the separator, thus offering better filtration life in the cartridges.

 

[IyaDiver]

Guy,

What securus filter are you using ?
P41 or P61 size ?
And how many hours do you get for it in Bali temperature ?
I tot securus type filter is not easy to source in Bali ...no ?


Thanks

 

[CraigAClark]

Thanks craig - don't worry, we replace them a lot more frequently than that! And there's my problem - we replace them so often, because we have to guess how long they last, so we err on the side of safety.
Of course we have the separators - but at the bottome of each filter house, is a condensate drain. My question still stands; does this condensate come from before the air is filtered, or after?
or to check it myself, does anyone have a diagram of this housing??
Btw its a K14 (4-cyclinder).
Thanks for the advice!

Normally, the condensate drain is before the filtration, unless it is an old style combo where the filter is in the final separator housing. This type of filtration at the time your unit was new, has been determined to be usless. The idea was that the filter would "drain" out accumulated moisture when the drain valve was opened. Simply doesn't work.

Craig