The Importance of a Filter Regulator Lubricator in Air Production Systems
FRLs — or Filter-Regulator-Lubricator units — are designed to ensure that air leaving an air compressor system is clean, adequately filtered, and lubricated. This helps equipment run more efficiently and prevents costly downtime due to contamination or over-pressurization.
The filter removes harmful contaminants, such as water and oil, from the air line. The regulator controls the pressure to ensure downstream equipment doesn’t exceed maximum operating pressures. The lubricator adds a controlled amount of tool oil to reduce friction within air-powered equipment.
Prevents Damage
Air leaving a compressor is often hot, dirty, and soil. This damages and limits the life of internal components like valves and cylinders. A filter regulator lubricator (FRL) keeps air clean, regulated, and lubricated to prevent damage from contaminants.
According to professionals in filter regulator lubricator Charlotte NC, FRLs contain three parts: an air filter to remove dust, dirt, and water from the air, a pressure regulator to control airflow at the point of use, and a lubricator to add regulated tool oil to the compressed air system. FRLs are available in various sizes to accommodate downstream equipment flow and pressure needs.
An adjustable screw on the air pressure regulator allows users to adjust operating pressure to the specific application. This lets users choose between a relieving or non-relieving regulator to prevent excessive pressure build-up in the tubing and surrounding areas. A lubricator introduces regulated tool oil into the compressed air stream to ease friction between moving components and prevent damage. IMI Norgren lubricators are available in oil fog or micro-fog options to match the downstream equipment requirements.
Reduces Wear
The filter section cleans the air line by removing water, solid particles, and oil vapor from compressed air. This ensures that the downstream devices, such as air tools and cylinders, are supplied with clean, dry, compressed air with adequate pressure for maximum performance. Different filters are available, including general-purpose, coalescing, and activated carbon. Pressure regulators follow the filters, adjusting the air pressure of compressed air to specific requirements. These are often packaged as compact stacked combination units where the filter head becomes the regulator body, sharing common inlet and outlet connections via pipe nipples.
Regulators are typically adjustable and set based on equipment manufacturer recommendations to avoid over-pressurization, which wastes energy and shortens the lifespan of pneumatic equipment. The lubricator component adds a controlled small quantity of tool oil into the airflow to minimize friction in other equipment used in pneumatic systems.
Reduces Oil Spills
FRLs are a key component in an air treatment system. By removing contaminants, regulating pressure, and lubricating equipment, they help to ensure high levels of air purity in an industrial air supply, increase system performance, and promote energy efficiency.
The filter in an FRL system removes solid particles, moisture, oil, and other impurities from compressed air. The regulator then adjusts the air pressure, and a lubricator adds small quantities of tool oil into the line, creating a lubrication mist that reduces friction between moving components in pneumatic tools or compressor air-driven equipment.
Depending on the application, manufacturers may preassemble filters, regulators, and lubricators in combination units. These can be purchased and used as-is or customized based on flow and pressure requirements for the downstream application. Manufacturers typically offer flow characteristics charts to help customers select the right type and size of filter, regulator, and lubricator for their specific project. Most lubricators are designed to deliver a fixed amount of oil into the downstream line.
Increases Efficiency
FRL systems eliminate the need to oil air-powered equipment manually. They are designed to remove impurities, regulate pressure, and lubricate tools, thus improving efficiency and reducing energy costs.
The filter component of an FRL removes solid particles, water droplets, and oil from compressed air. This helps prevent these contaminants from damaging and shortening the lifespan of downstream equipment like valves and cylinders. The regulator component of an FRL is available in different styles, including the relieving and non-relieving types. Regulators are sized according to their flow capacity and pressure specifications. To choose the right regulator, consider downstream equipment’s airflow and pressure requirements. Typically, larger body size regulators provide better setting sensitivity and less droop than smaller ones.
