Imagine a refinery control valve malfunctioning during winter due to ice formation in its air supply. Or a pharmaceutical plant’s batch records being corrupted because a pneumatic actuator released oil aerosols onto sensitive equipment.

These scenarios highlight why instrument air isn’t just compressed air—it’s a precisely engineered utility critical to industrial safety and efficiency. At the heart of these systems? Oil free air compressors designed to deliver contaminant-free power.

Instrument air refers to purified compressed air used to operate process control devices like valves, actuators, and controllers. Unlike general plant air (used for cleaning or venting), instrument air must adhere to stringent ISO 8573-1 Class 0 standards for moisture, oil, and particulates. Even trace oil vapor (as little as 0.01 mg/m³) can:

• Cause diaphragm failures in pneumatic valves
• Create combustion risks in oxygen-rich environments
• Contaminate products in food/pharma processes
• Accelerate corrosion in air distribution lines

Here’s where oil free air compressors become non-negotiable. By eliminating lubricants in the compression chamber, they prevent oil carryover entirely. Combined with dry air compressors and desiccant or refrigerated air dryers, these systems achieve pressure dew points as low as -100°F (-73°C), ensuring moisture never condenses in critical instrumentation.

(Dry compressed air for instrument air)

Oil & gas industry

Pneumatic shutdown valves, wellhead controllers, and gas analyzers rely on dry, oil-free air to prevent fires in hazardous zones. Contaminated air risks valve seizure, potentially triggering catastrophic releases.

Power generation

Turbine control systems demand ultra-dry air to avoid moisture-induced corrosion in actuator assemblies. A single stuck valve can force a 500MW unit offline.

Pharmaceuticals

Tablet presses and filling machines use instrument air for product handling. Oil aerosols risk FDA 483 observations for product adulteration.

Food & beverage

Packaging sealers and pneumatic conveyors require Class 0 compressed air to prevent oil contamination of consumables.

Chemical processing

Reactor pressure control valves depend on reliable air supplies. Moisture ingress can hydrolyze sensitive catalysts.

(Instrument air control gauges and valves)

A typical instrument air system integrates four critical stages:

Filtration

Particulate filters (0.01μm) remove dust from intake air, protecting downstream components.

Compression

Oil free air compressors (rotary screw, scroll, or centrifugal compressor) generate pressure without introducing lubricants.

Drying

Dry air compressor subsystems—refrigerated dryers (-40°F dew point) or desiccant dryers (-100°F dew point)—extract moisture.

Stabilization

Air receivers buffer demand surges, allowing steady dryer operation and reducing compressor cycling.

Without this integrated treatment, instruments ingest “dirty” air—the leading cause of pneumatic system failures.