All of Organomation's blowdown evaporators include a disposable air filter, a small part that actually plays a significant role in your sample preparation. The air filter ensures that your samples are not being contaminated by oil from your gas stream or any other atmospheric particulates that could impact your test results. It's also designed to decrease the humidity of the gas you're using, speeding up the evaporation process. It's important to replace your filter periodically so it maintains its full effectiveness.
There are three reasons why you should replace your filter:
1) It's been contaminated with oil
2) It's old and isn't filtering properly anymore
3) It's clogged leading to insufficient gas flow to your samples
1. It's been contaminated with oil
Organomation's nitrogen blowers require a source of oil-free nitrogen or compressed air. Knowing if your filter has been contaminated with oil is actually quite easy - the filters used on Organomation's evaporators contain a visual oil indicator which turns a portion of the cartridge pink when saturated with oil, as shown in this photo. If you notice any pink spots on your cartridge, make sure to check for oil in your gas source and order a replacement filter.
2. It's old and isn't filtering properly anymore
This is a bit more tricky to diagnose than the first reason. When your filter has not been replaced for an extended period of time, you will notice it getting slightly yellow and discolored. Once the cartridge is yellowed, it may not be as effective in filtering out atmospheric particulates, and you run the risk of contaminating your samples (a filter in good condition removes most particulates over 0.01 microns). Although there is no specific lifespan for a filter, we recommend replacing it around once per year for high-use applications.
3. It's clogged leading to insufficient gas flow to your samples
There are numerous reasons why you may not be getting sufficient gas flow to your samples. If you're able to determine that your gas source is not the culprit and you're getting optimal pressure to your evaporator, the problem may be a clogged air filter. Since the filter captures and holds debris that may be in your gas source, it can become clogged, restricting the amount of air that can pass through it. If a simple replacement of your air filter doesn't fix the insufficient flow, there may be another issue going on. Please reach out to Organomation's sales team for further assistance.
The catalog number for a replacement air filter is NA0403. If you require a formal quote on this item or would like to place an order, please email sales@organomation.com, call (978) 838-7300, or message us using our live chat feature.