Clean compressed air is not optional in a modern industrial plant.
A screw air compressor can produce the required pressure and flow, but the compressed air leaving the compressor can still contain water, oil aerosols, oil vapour, dust, dirt, rust particles, pipe scale and other contaminants.
That is where a properly selected compressed air line filter, micro filter, coalescing filter, pre-filter or fine filter becomes important.
The MK Compressor product shown in the photograph represents the type of industrial compressed air micro/line filter used for compressed-air treatment applications.
MK Compressor supplies and deals in compressed air line filters, micro filters, pre-filters, coalescing filters, fine filters, oil-removal filters, activated-carbon filters and replacement filter elements for a wide range of screw compressor and compressed-air systems.
The requirement can be matched according to the compressor brand, filter brand, filter model, filter grade, flow capacity, connection size, pressure rating and existing element/part number.
What Is a Screw Compressor Line Filter?
A compressed air line filter is installed in the compressed-air pipeline to remove unwanted contaminants from the air before the air reaches downstream equipment.
Depending on the filter grade, a line filter can be designed to remove or reduce:
Solid particles
Dust
Dirt
Rust
Pipe scale
Water droplets
Water aerosols
Oil aerosols
Oil mist
Oil vapour
Micro-organisms
Other contaminants
The exact contaminant-removal capability depends on the filter grade and filtration technology.
Atlas Copco, for example, separates its compressed-air filtration into different grades including DD+, PD+, UD+, QD+, QDT+, DDp+ and PDp+, with different applications for particulate, oil aerosol, wet dust and oil vapour removal.
MK Compressor Micro Line Filter
The filter shown in the MK Compressor image has:
Heavy-duty filter housing
Compressed-air inlet/outlet connections
Differential-pressure indicator
Filter bowl
Drain arrangement
Replaceable internal filtration element
Industrial yellow housing
Compact vertical installation design
The differential-pressure indicator is particularly useful because increasing pressure differential can indicate that the filter element is becoming loaded with contaminants.
A line filter should therefore not be selected simply because the housing looks similar.
The following specifications should be checked:
Specification What to Check
Filter Type Pre-filter / coalescing / fine / activated carbon
Filtration Grade Micron / oil removal requirement
Flow Capacity m³/min, Nm³/h or CFM
Connection BSP / NPT / flange
Pipe Size ¼', ½', ¾', 1', etc.
Working Pressure Maximum operating pressure
Operating Temperature Application temperature
Element Correct replacement element
Drain Manual / automatic / electronic
Indicator Differential-pressure indicator
Housing Threaded / flanged
Application Compressor / dryer / process line
Why Does a Screw Compressor Need a Line Filter?
Compressed air travels through an entire distribution system after leaving the compressor.
During this journey, contaminants can enter or remain in the system.
A correctly designed filtration system helps protect:
Pneumatic machinery
CNC machines
Air tools
Spray-painting equipment
Instrumentation
Control valves
Pneumatic cylinders
Packaging machinery
Food-processing equipment
Pharmaceutical equipment
Electronics manufacturing
Textile machinery
Automotive production lines
Process equipment
The required filtration level depends on the final application.
Types of Compressed Air Filters Available from MK Compressor
MK Compressor can handle requirements for several categories of compressed-air filtration.
1. Pre-Filter
A pre-filter is generally used as an initial filtration stage.
It can help remove larger quantities of:
Dirt
Dust
Rust
Pipe particles
Water
Larger contaminants
A pre-filter can also protect a downstream fine or coalescing filter from premature loading.
2. Coalescing Filter
A coalescing filter is used for fine removal of liquid aerosols, oil aerosols and fine particles, depending on its grade.
Coalescing filters are widely used downstream of oil-lubricated screw compressors.
3. Micro Filter
A micro filter is used where finer filtration is required.
Depending on the product specification, micro filters may be used for:
Fine particulate filtration
Oil aerosol removal
Water aerosol removal
High-quality instrument air
Process air
Sensitive pneumatic equipment
4. Fine Filter
Fine filters provide higher levels of particulate and aerosol filtration than general-purpose pre-filtration.
5. Oil Vapour Filter
Oil vapour requires a different filtration principle from liquid oil aerosols.
Activated-carbon adsorption is commonly used for oil-vapour reduction.
Parker domnick hunter's OIL-X range, for example, includes oil-vapour reduction grades in addition to general-purpose and high-efficiency coalescing grades.
6. Activated Carbon Filter
Activated-carbon filters are used where very low oil-vapour and odour levels are required.
They are particularly relevant to sensitive compressed-air applications.
Atlas Copco Screw Compressor Line Filters
Atlas Copco has one of the broadest compressed-air filtration ranges in the market.
Its filter families include:
DD+
General-purpose coalescing filtration.
PD+
High-efficiency coalescing filtration.
UD+
Combined filtration technology designed to combine two filtration stages into one filter.
QD+
Oil-vapour filtration.
QDT+
Oil-vapour filtration in tower configuration.
DDp+
Dry-dust filtration.
PDp+
Fine dry-dust filtration.
H Series
High-pressure filtration.
SFA Series
Silicone-free filtration for specific applications.
Atlas Copco's published specifications include filter sizes such as 7+, 15+, 25+, 45+, 75+, 110+, 145+, 180+, 240+ and 300+, depending on the filter family/configuration.
Atlas Copco QD+ Model/Reference Examples
The current Atlas Copco catalogue lists, among others:
Reference Filter
8102372751 QD7+
8102372753 QD15+
8102372755 QD25+
8102372757 QD45+
8102372759 QD75+
8102372761 QD110+
8102372763 QD145+
8102372765 QD180+
8102372767 QD240+
8102372769 QD300+
8102372771 QD300+ inPASS
These are manufacturer catalogue references and should still be checked against the required application before ordering.
Ingersoll Rand Compressed Air Line Filters
Ingersoll Rand offers its F-Series compressed-air filters for air-treatment applications.
The F-Series is designed to reduce contamination in the compressed-air stream and uses differential-pressure indication and replaceable filter elements.
Published F-Series models include:
Model Approx. Flow
FA30I 0.48 m³/min
FA40I 0.62 m³/min
FA75I 1.27 m³/min
FA110I 1.84 m³/min
FA150I 2.49 m³/min
FA190I 3.12 m³/min
FA230I 3.82 m³/min
FA400I 6.66 m³/min
FA490I 8.21 m³/min
FA600I 9.91 m³/min
FA800I 13.31 m³/min
FA1000I 16.99 m³/min
FA1200I 20.11 m³/min
FA1560I 26.05 m³/min
FA1830I 30.59 m³/min
FA2300I 38.23 m³/min
FA2700I 45.31 m³/min
The published range covers connection sizes from approximately 3/8 inch through 3 inches, depending on model.
Customers searching for Ingersoll Rand F-Series filter, FA30I filter, FA75I filter, FA110I filter, FA150I filter, FA400I filter, FA600I filter, FA1000I filter, FA1200I filter, FA1560I filter, FA2300I filter and FA2700I filter can use the model number when requesting a replacement.
Parker domnick hunter OIL-X Line Filters
Parker domnick hunter is another major name in compressed-air filtration.
The OIL-X range includes compressed-air filters designed around air-quality requirements and low pressure drop.
Parker's OIL-X EVOLUTION range includes:
AO general-purpose coalescing
AA high-efficiency coalescing
AC oil-vapour filtration
ACS oil-vapour filtration
Parker also publishes OIL-Xplus replacement elements for existing domnick hunter housings.
Parker's range also includes higher-pressure filtration such as OIL-X IP50, which covers applications up to 50 bar.
Parker OIL-X Search Terms
Customers commonly search for:
Parker OIL-X filter
Parker domnick hunter filter
Parker compressed air filter
Parker OIL-X AO filter
Parker OIL-X AA filter
Parker OIL-X AC filter
Parker OIL-X ACS filter
Parker OIL-Xplus filter element
Parker compressed air coalescing filter
domnick hunter line filter
domnick hunter replacement element
Donaldson Compressed Air Filters
Donaldson also offers compressed-air filtration and replacement filter elements.
Its current compressed-air filtration range includes elements compatible with DF, SG, HD, EG, P-EG and PG-EG housings, along with competitive-fit replacement options.
Published Donaldson element families include:
S Series
SMF
SMFP
P-SMF
M Series
FF
FFP
P-FF
V Series
These cover applications involving:
Coalescing filtration
Particulate filtration
Oil aerosol removal
Oil vapour reduction
Fine dust filtration
High-purity compressed air
Donaldson Filter Search Keywords
Donaldson compressed air filter
Donaldson line filter
Donaldson micro filter
Donaldson coalescing filter
Donaldson DF filter
Donaldson SG filter
Donaldson EG filter
Donaldson P-EG filter
Donaldson PG-EG filter
Donaldson SMF filter
Donaldson FF filter element
Donaldson replacement filter element
Kaeser Compressor Line Filters
Kaeser provides compressed-air filtration in multiple filter configurations.
Published Kaeser filter models include:
F-Series Examples
F6KB, F9KB, F16KB, F22KB, F26KB, F46KB, F83KB, F110KB and F142KB
Other published configurations include:
F6KA
F9KA
F16KA
F22KA
F26KA
F46KA
F83KA
F110KA
F142KA
and:
F6KD
F9KD
F16KD
F22KD
F26KD
F46KD
F83KD
F110KD
F142KD
with additional filter configurations such as the FKE family.
Kaeser filter capacity varies substantially by model, so the F-series model number and application should be checked before selecting an element.
Kaeser Search Keywords
Kaeser line filter
Kaeser compressed air filter
Kaeser micro filter
Kaeser coalescing filter
Kaeser F6KB filter
Kaeser F9KB filter
Kaeser F16KB filter
Kaeser F22KB filter
Kaeser F46KB filter
Kaeser F83KB filter
Kaeser F110KB filter
Kaeser F142KB filter
BOGE Compressor Micro Filters
BOGE uses dedicated compressed-air filtration products including its FM Series flange microfilter.
BOGE describes its FM microfilter as a depth filter designed for fine solid-particle filtration, with published filtration down to 0.01 micron for that product configuration.
BOGE filtration searches may include:
BOGE micro filter
BOGE compressed air filter
BOGE line filter
BOGE FM filter
BOGE flange microfilter
BOGE pre-filter
BOGE activated carbon filter
BOGE filter element
SMC Compressed Air Line Filters
SMC offers dedicated AFF Series main-line filters.
The AFF Series is designed for compressed-air filtration and can remove contaminants such as oil, water and foreign matter, while also protecting downstream dryers and precision filters.
SMC publishes AFF configurations covering:
300 to 45, 000 L/min
with port sizes ranging from:
1/8 to 4-inch flange
depending on configuration.
SMC Filter Search Keywords
SMC AFF filter
SMC main line filter
SMC compressed air filter
SMC micro filter
SMC air line filter
SMC AFF element
SMC AFF series replacement filter
CompAir Compressed Air Filters
CompAir offers multiple compressed-air filtration configurations.
Its current range includes:
CF-Series Filters
Designed to remove:
Water aerosols
Oil aerosols
Atmospheric dirt
Solid particles
Rust
Pipe scale
Micro-organisms
CompAir also offers:
High-pressure filters
High-temperature filters
Flanged filters
CFT modular filters
Oil-vapour-removal filters
The current CompAir range includes high-pressure models from CF018L3/8'-HP through CF416L1'-HP, covering applications up to 45 bar in that range.
CompAir SEO Search Terms
CompAir compressed air filter
CompAir line filter
CompAir CF filter
CompAir CF018 filter
CompAir CF series filter
CompAir high pressure filter
CompAir CFT filter
CompAir oil vapour filter
CompAir replacement filter element
ELGi Compressor Line Filter
ELGi compressors are used across industrial compressed-air applications, where downstream filtration can be required according to the end-use air-quality specification.
For ELGi installations, the correct filter should be selected according to:
Compressor capacity
Airflow
Working pressure
Pipe size
Required air purity
Oil contamination
Water contamination
Downstream equipment
ELGi Search Keywords
ELGi compressed air filter
ELGi line filter
ELGi micro filter
ELGi coalescing filter
ELGi air filter
ELGi compressor filter
ELGi replacement filter element
ELGi screw compressor line filter
Chicago Pneumatic Line Filters
Chicago Pneumatic compressed-air treatment requirements can include:
Pre-filters
Coalescing filters
Fine filters
Oil-vapour filters
Replacement filter elements
Water separators
For Chicago Pneumatic installations, the exact filter should be identified using the machine/system details and existing filter information.
Search Keywords
Chicago Pneumatic line filter
CP compressed air filter
Chicago Pneumatic micro filter
CP coalescing filter
CP air line filter
Chicago Pneumatic filter element
CP replacement filter
Other Compressor and Filter Brands Covered by Search Requirements
Customers looking for compressed-air filters may also search for:
Compressor Brands
Atlas Copco
ELGi
Ingersoll Rand
Kaeser
Chicago Pneumatic
Sullair
Gardner Denver
CompAir
BOGE
Hitachi
Kobelco
Kirloskar
Quincy
FS Curtis
Doosan
Fusheng
Hanbell
Kobelco
Mitsui
Airman
Filter Brands
Parker
domnick hunter
Donaldson
SMC
BEA Technologies
Hankison
Omega Air
Walker Filtration
Wilkerson
Norgren
BOGE
Kaeser
Atlas Copco
Ingersoll Rand
CompAir
Chicago Pneumatic
This creates a much broader search footprint without falsely claiming that one filter fits every machine.
Replacement Line Filter Elements
In many cases, the customer does not need an entire filter housing.
The actual requirement may be a:
Replacement micro filter element
Coalescing filter element
Pre-filter element
Fine filter element
Oil-removal element
Activated-carbon element
Dust filter element
Water separator element
The replacement element must match the housing and filtration grade.
Parker, for example, specifically identifies replacement elements according to OIL-X/OIL-Xplus housing and grade, while Donaldson publishes element families for particular housing series.
Why Filter Grade Matters More Than Just Micron Rating
This is one of the most misunderstood parts of compressed-air filtration.
A customer may say:
“I need a 1-micron filter.”
That is not always enough information.
The filter must also be evaluated for:
Contaminant type
Oil aerosol concentration
Water loading
Airflow
Pressure
Temperature
Required ISO 8573-1 air quality
Filter efficiency
Pressure drop
Drainage
Housing compatibility
For example, Atlas Copco's DD+, PD+ and UD+ filters are designed for different filtration roles, while its QD+/QDT+ products address oil-vapour filtration.
Filter Arrangement After a Screw Compressor
A typical compressed-air treatment arrangement can look like:
Screw Compressor
↓
Aftercooler
↓
Water Separator
↓
Pre-Filter
↓
Coalescing/Micro Filter
↓
Air Dryer
↓
Fine Filter
↓
Oil Vapour Filter – if required
↓
Air Receiver / Main Air Header
↓
Production Equipment
The exact arrangement depends on the compressor, dryer, air-quality requirement and application.
Why Pressure Drop Matters
A filter can be technically effective but still be a poor choice if its pressure drop is unnecessarily high.
Compressed air is expensive to produce.
As a filter becomes loaded with contaminants, differential pressure can increase.
Higher pressure drop can increase the compressor system's energy requirement.
This is one reason manufacturers such as Parker and Atlas Copco place considerable emphasis on low-pressure-drop filter designs.
Therefore, selecting a filter should involve more than asking:
“How cheap is the filter?”
A better question is:
“What filtration performance and pressure drop will this filter provide at my actual airflow?”
How to Select the Correct Screw Compressor Line Filter
Before purchasing a replacement filter, collect the following information.
1. Brand
Example:
Atlas Copco / ELGi / Ingersoll Rand / Kaeser / Parker / Donaldson / SMC
2. Filter Model
Example:
FA600I / F46KB / QD75+ / AFF / OIL-X
3. Filter Grade
Example:
AO / AA / DD+ / PD+ / UD+ / QD+
4. Airflow
Give:
CFM / m³/min / Nm³/h
5. Pipe Connection
For example:
½', ¾', 1', 1½', 2', 3'
6. Working Pressure
For example:
7 bar / 10 bar / 13 bar / 16 bar / 40 bar
7. Existing Element Number
This is extremely useful.
8. Photograph
A photograph of the complete filter and element label can often speed up identification.
MK Compressor Line Filter Range
MK Compressor can handle requirements for:
Screw compressor line filters
Micro filters
Compressed air filters
Coalescing filters
Pre-filters
Fine filters
Oil-removal filters
Oil-vapour filters
Activated-carbon filters
Dust filters
Water separators
Compressor filter elements
Dryer filters
Air receiver filtration
Pneumatic line filters
Instrument-air filters
Process-air filters
Replacement filter cartridges
Replacement filter elements
The requirement can be matched according to brand, model, element number, airflow and application.
Screw Compressor Filter for Every Major Industrial Application
Compressed-air filtration requirements are found in practically every industrial sector.
Automotive
Used for:
Pneumatic tools
Paint spraying
Assembly
Robotics
Instrumentation
Pharmaceutical
High-purity compressed air may be required for:
Manufacturing
Packaging
Instrumentation
Process applications
Food & Beverage
Filtration requirements can be particularly important where compressed air comes into contact with production or packaging processes.
Textile
Compressed air is used extensively in:
Looms
Pneumatic controls
Automation
Cleaning
CNC & Machine Tools
Clean and dry compressed air helps protect:
Pneumatic controls
Valves
Tool changers
Precision equipment
Electronics
Fine filtration can be important for sensitive manufacturing environments.
Common Screw Compressor Line Filter Searches
This MK Compressor page is also relevant to searches such as:
screw compressor line filter
compressed air line filter
air compressor micro filter
screw compressor micro filter
compressor coalescing filter
compressed air coalescing filter
air line filter for compressor
industrial air compressor filter
compressed air filter element
screw compressor filter element
compressor filter cartridge
replacement compressor filter
air compressor pre filter
compressed air fine filter
oil removal filter for compressor
oil vapour filter
activated carbon compressed air filter
compressed air dust filter
compressed air water separator
pneumatic line filter
instrument air filter
compressor dryer filter
Brand-Specific Search Keywords
Atlas Copco
Atlas Copco line filter
Atlas Copco compressed air filter
Atlas Copco micro filter
Atlas Copco DD+ filter
Atlas Copco PD+ filter
Atlas Copco UD+ filter
Atlas Copco QD+ filter
Atlas Copco QDT+ filter
Atlas Copco DDp+ filter
Atlas Copco PDp+ filter
Atlas Copco filter element
Atlas Copco replacement filter
Ingersoll Rand
Ingersoll Rand line filter
Ingersoll Rand F-Series filter
Ingersoll Rand FA30I
Ingersoll Rand FA40I
Ingersoll Rand FA75I
Ingersoll Rand FA110I
Ingersoll Rand FA150I
Ingersoll Rand FA190I
Ingersoll Rand FA230I
Ingersoll Rand FA400I
Ingersoll Rand FA490I
Ingersoll Rand FA600I
Ingersoll Rand FA800I
Ingersoll Rand FA1000I
Ingersoll Rand FA1200I
Ingersoll Rand FA1560I
Ingersoll Rand FA1830I
Ingersoll Rand FA2300I
Ingersoll Rand FA2700I
Parker / domnick hunter
Parker OIL-X filter
Parker OIL-Xplus filter
Parker AO filter
Parker AA filter
Parker AC filter
Parker ACS filter
Parker OIL-X filter element
domnick hunter filter
domnick hunter replacement element
Donaldson
Donaldson compressed air filter
Donaldson DF filter
Donaldson SG filter
Donaldson HD filter
Donaldson EG filter
Donaldson P-EG filter
Donaldson PG-EG filter
Donaldson SMF filter
Donaldson FF filter
Donaldson V filter
Donaldson replacement element
Kaeser
Kaeser line filter
Kaeser micro filter
Kaeser F6KB
Kaeser F9KB
Kaeser F16KB
Kaeser F22KB
Kaeser F26KB
Kaeser F46KB
Kaeser F83KB
Kaeser F110KB
Kaeser F142KB
Kaeser filter element
SMC
SMC AFF filter
SMC AFF series
SMC main line filter
SMC compressed air filter
SMC micro filter
SMC AFF replacement element
CompAir
CompAir line filter
CompAir CF filter
CompAir CF Series
CompAir high pressure filter
CompAir CFT filter
CompAir oil vapour filter
CompAir replacement filter element
BOGE
BOGE micro filter
BOGE FM filter
BOGE line filter
BOGE flange microfilter
BOGE compressed air filter
BOGE replacement filter
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a micro filter in a screw compressor system?
A micro filter is a compressed-air filtration component designed for finer contaminant removal than a basic pre-filter, depending on the specific filter grade and technology.
What is a line filter used for?
A line filter is installed in a compressed-air pipeline to reduce contaminants such as particles, water aerosols and oil aerosols, depending on its filtration grade.
Is a micro filter the same as a coalescing filter?
Not necessarily. “Micro filter” is often used as a general description, while a coalescing filter specifically uses coalescence technology to remove liquid aerosols and fine particles.
Can I use one line filter for every screw compressor?
No. Flow capacity, pressure, connection size, filtration grade and element dimensions must be matched to the application.
Do you supply Atlas Copco line filters?
MK Compressor handles enquiries for Atlas Copco-type compressed-air filtration requirements including DD+, PD+, UD+, QD+, QDT+, DDp+ and PDp+ families, subject to application and specification matching.
Do you supply Ingersoll Rand filters?
Yes. MK Compressor can handle enquiries for Ingersoll Rand compressed-air filters, including F-Series requirements such as FA30I through FA2700I configurations.
Do you supply Parker OIL-X filters?
MK Compressor can handle Parker/domnick hunter OIL-X-type filter and replacement-element requirements, subject to the correct housing and grade.
Do you supply Donaldson filter elements?
Yes, Donaldson compressed-air filtration and replacement-element requirements can be checked according to the housing and element series.
Do you supply Kaeser filters?
Yes, Kaeser filter requirements can be evaluated according to the F-series model, airflow, connection and element specification.
Do you supply SMC AFF filters?
Yes, SMC AFF-series main-line filter requirements can be evaluated according to the exact model and airflow requirement.
Can you identify a filter from a photograph?
Yes, a photograph is useful for preliminary identification. For accurate matching, send the brand, model, element number, connection size and compressor details wherever available.
Why Choose MK Compressor for Line Filters?
The practical problem with compressed-air filters is not simply finding a filter.
It is finding the correct filter.
A filter that is too small can create excessive pressure drop.
A filter with the wrong grade may not provide the required air quality.
A filter with the wrong connection cannot be installed correctly.
An incorrect element may not fit the housing.
MK Compressor therefore works around the information that actually matters:
Brand + Model + Grade + Airflow + Connection + Pressure + Element Number
This makes the selection process more useful for maintenance departments, compressor service engineers, OEM-equipment users and industrial buyers.
Send Your Existing Filter Details to MK Compressor
If you are unsure which compressed-air filter you require, send:
1. Existing filter photograph
2. Brand name
3. Filter model
4. Element/part number
5. Pipe connection size
6. Compressor capacity
7. Working pressure
8. Required quantity
MK Compressor can then check the requirement and identify the appropriate available filter or replacement element.
Conclusion
A screw compressor does not end at the compressor outlet.
The quality of the compressed air delivered to the production line depends on the complete air-treatment system.
That is why pre-filters, coalescing filters, micro filters, fine filters, oil-vapour filters, activated-carbon filters and replacement filter elements are important parts of an industrial compressed-air installation.
MK Compressor supplies and deals in compressed-air filtration requirements across major compressor and filtration brands, including Atlas Copco, Ingersoll Rand, ELGi, Kaeser, Parker domnick hunter, Donaldson, SMC, BOGE, CompAir, Chicago Pneumatic and other industrial systems, subject to correct model and application matching.
Whether you are searching for an Atlas Copco DD+ filter, PD+ filter, UD+ filter, QD+ filter, Ingersoll Rand FA-Series filter, Parker OIL-X filter, Donaldson compressed-air filter, Kaeser F-Series filter, SMC AFF filter, BOGE microfilter, CompAir CF filter, screw compressor line filter, micro filter, coalescing filter or replacement filter element, MK Compressor can help identify the requirement.
For faster identification, send the existing filter photograph and part number along with the compressor model.
A screw air compressor can produce the required pressure and flow, but the compressed air leaving the compressor can still contain water, oil aerosols, oil vapour, dust, dirt, rust particles, pipe scale and other contaminants.
That is where a properly selected compressed air line filter, micro filter, coalescing filter, pre-filter or fine filter becomes important.
The MK Compressor product shown in the photograph represents the type of industrial compressed air micro/line filter used for compressed-air treatment applications.
MK Compressor supplies and deals in compressed air line filters, micro filters, pre-filters, coalescing filters, fine filters, oil-removal filters, activated-carbon filters and replacement filter elements for a wide range of screw compressor and compressed-air systems.
The requirement can be matched according to the compressor brand, filter brand, filter model, filter grade, flow capacity, connection size, pressure rating and existing element/part number.
What Is a Screw Compressor Line Filter?
A compressed air line filter is installed in the compressed-air pipeline to remove unwanted contaminants from the air before the air reaches downstream equipment.
Depending on the filter grade, a line filter can be designed to remove or reduce:
Solid particles
Dust
Dirt
Rust
Pipe scale
Water droplets
Water aerosols
Oil aerosols
Oil mist
Oil vapour
Micro-organisms
Other contaminants
The exact contaminant-removal capability depends on the filter grade and filtration technology.
Atlas Copco, for example, separates its compressed-air filtration into different grades including DD+, PD+, UD+, QD+, QDT+, DDp+ and PDp+, with different applications for particulate, oil aerosol, wet dust and oil vapour removal.
MK Compressor Micro Line Filter
The filter shown in the MK Compressor image has:
Heavy-duty filter housing
Compressed-air inlet/outlet connections
Differential-pressure indicator
Filter bowl
Drain arrangement
Replaceable internal filtration element
Industrial yellow housing
Compact vertical installation design
The differential-pressure indicator is particularly useful because increasing pressure differential can indicate that the filter element is becoming loaded with contaminants.
A line filter should therefore not be selected simply because the housing looks similar.
The following specifications should be checked:
Specification What to Check
Filter Type Pre-filter / coalescing / fine / activated carbon
Filtration Grade Micron / oil removal requirement
Flow Capacity m³/min, Nm³/h or CFM
Connection BSP / NPT / flange
Pipe Size ¼', ½', ¾', 1', etc.
Working Pressure Maximum operating pressure
Operating Temperature Application temperature
Element Correct replacement element
Drain Manual / automatic / electronic
Indicator Differential-pressure indicator
Housing Threaded / flanged
Application Compressor / dryer / process line
Why Does a Screw Compressor Need a Line Filter?
Compressed air travels through an entire distribution system after leaving the compressor.
During this journey, contaminants can enter or remain in the system.
A correctly designed filtration system helps protect:
Pneumatic machinery
CNC machines
Air tools
Spray-painting equipment
Instrumentation
Control valves
Pneumatic cylinders
Packaging machinery
Food-processing equipment
Pharmaceutical equipment
Electronics manufacturing
Textile machinery
Automotive production lines
Process equipment
The required filtration level depends on the final application.
Types of Compressed Air Filters Available from MK Compressor
MK Compressor can handle requirements for several categories of compressed-air filtration.
1. Pre-Filter
A pre-filter is generally used as an initial filtration stage.
It can help remove larger quantities of:
Dirt
Dust
Rust
Pipe particles
Water
Larger contaminants
A pre-filter can also protect a downstream fine or coalescing filter from premature loading.
2. Coalescing Filter
A coalescing filter is used for fine removal of liquid aerosols, oil aerosols and fine particles, depending on its grade.
Coalescing filters are widely used downstream of oil-lubricated screw compressors.
3. Micro Filter
A micro filter is used where finer filtration is required.
Depending on the product specification, micro filters may be used for:
Fine particulate filtration
Oil aerosol removal
Water aerosol removal
High-quality instrument air
Process air
Sensitive pneumatic equipment
4. Fine Filter
Fine filters provide higher levels of particulate and aerosol filtration than general-purpose pre-filtration.
5. Oil Vapour Filter
Oil vapour requires a different filtration principle from liquid oil aerosols.
Activated-carbon adsorption is commonly used for oil-vapour reduction.
Parker domnick hunter's OIL-X range, for example, includes oil-vapour reduction grades in addition to general-purpose and high-efficiency coalescing grades.
6. Activated Carbon Filter
Activated-carbon filters are used where very low oil-vapour and odour levels are required.
They are particularly relevant to sensitive compressed-air applications.
Atlas Copco Screw Compressor Line Filters
Atlas Copco has one of the broadest compressed-air filtration ranges in the market.
Its filter families include:
DD+
General-purpose coalescing filtration.
PD+
High-efficiency coalescing filtration.
UD+
Combined filtration technology designed to combine two filtration stages into one filter.
QD+
Oil-vapour filtration.
QDT+
Oil-vapour filtration in tower configuration.
DDp+
Dry-dust filtration.
PDp+
Fine dry-dust filtration.
H Series
High-pressure filtration.
SFA Series
Silicone-free filtration for specific applications.
Atlas Copco's published specifications include filter sizes such as 7+, 15+, 25+, 45+, 75+, 110+, 145+, 180+, 240+ and 300+, depending on the filter family/configuration.
Atlas Copco QD+ Model/Reference Examples
The current Atlas Copco catalogue lists, among others:
Reference Filter
8102372751 QD7+
8102372753 QD15+
8102372755 QD25+
8102372757 QD45+
8102372759 QD75+
8102372761 QD110+
8102372763 QD145+
8102372765 QD180+
8102372767 QD240+
8102372769 QD300+
8102372771 QD300+ inPASS
These are manufacturer catalogue references and should still be checked against the required application before ordering.
Ingersoll Rand Compressed Air Line Filters
Ingersoll Rand offers its F-Series compressed-air filters for air-treatment applications.
The F-Series is designed to reduce contamination in the compressed-air stream and uses differential-pressure indication and replaceable filter elements.
Published F-Series models include:
Model Approx. Flow
FA30I 0.48 m³/min
FA40I 0.62 m³/min
FA75I 1.27 m³/min
FA110I 1.84 m³/min
FA150I 2.49 m³/min
FA190I 3.12 m³/min
FA230I 3.82 m³/min
FA400I 6.66 m³/min
FA490I 8.21 m³/min
FA600I 9.91 m³/min
FA800I 13.31 m³/min
FA1000I 16.99 m³/min
FA1200I 20.11 m³/min
FA1560I 26.05 m³/min
FA1830I 30.59 m³/min
FA2300I 38.23 m³/min
FA2700I 45.31 m³/min
The published range covers connection sizes from approximately 3/8 inch through 3 inches, depending on model.
Customers searching for Ingersoll Rand F-Series filter, FA30I filter, FA75I filter, FA110I filter, FA150I filter, FA400I filter, FA600I filter, FA1000I filter, FA1200I filter, FA1560I filter, FA2300I filter and FA2700I filter can use the model number when requesting a replacement.
Parker domnick hunter OIL-X Line Filters
Parker domnick hunter is another major name in compressed-air filtration.
The OIL-X range includes compressed-air filters designed around air-quality requirements and low pressure drop.
Parker's OIL-X EVOLUTION range includes:
AO general-purpose coalescing
AA high-efficiency coalescing
AC oil-vapour filtration
ACS oil-vapour filtration
Parker also publishes OIL-Xplus replacement elements for existing domnick hunter housings.
Parker's range also includes higher-pressure filtration such as OIL-X IP50, which covers applications up to 50 bar.
Parker OIL-X Search Terms
Customers commonly search for:
Parker OIL-X filter
Parker domnick hunter filter
Parker compressed air filter
Parker OIL-X AO filter
Parker OIL-X AA filter
Parker OIL-X AC filter
Parker OIL-X ACS filter
Parker OIL-Xplus filter element
Parker compressed air coalescing filter
domnick hunter line filter
domnick hunter replacement element
Donaldson Compressed Air Filters
Donaldson also offers compressed-air filtration and replacement filter elements.
Its current compressed-air filtration range includes elements compatible with DF, SG, HD, EG, P-EG and PG-EG housings, along with competitive-fit replacement options.
Published Donaldson element families include:
S Series
SMF
SMFP
P-SMF
M Series
FF
FFP
P-FF
V Series
These cover applications involving:
Coalescing filtration
Particulate filtration
Oil aerosol removal
Oil vapour reduction
Fine dust filtration
High-purity compressed air
Donaldson Filter Search Keywords
Donaldson compressed air filter
Donaldson line filter
Donaldson micro filter
Donaldson coalescing filter
Donaldson DF filter
Donaldson SG filter
Donaldson EG filter
Donaldson P-EG filter
Donaldson PG-EG filter
Donaldson SMF filter
Donaldson FF filter element
Donaldson replacement filter element
Kaeser Compressor Line Filters
Kaeser provides compressed-air filtration in multiple filter configurations.
Published Kaeser filter models include:
F-Series Examples
F6KB, F9KB, F16KB, F22KB, F26KB, F46KB, F83KB, F110KB and F142KB
Other published configurations include:
F6KA
F9KA
F16KA
F22KA
F26KA
F46KA
F83KA
F110KA
F142KA
and:
F6KD
F9KD
F16KD
F22KD
F26KD
F46KD
F83KD
F110KD
F142KD
with additional filter configurations such as the FKE family.
Kaeser filter capacity varies substantially by model, so the F-series model number and application should be checked before selecting an element.
Kaeser Search Keywords
Kaeser line filter
Kaeser compressed air filter
Kaeser micro filter
Kaeser coalescing filter
Kaeser F6KB filter
Kaeser F9KB filter
Kaeser F16KB filter
Kaeser F22KB filter
Kaeser F46KB filter
Kaeser F83KB filter
Kaeser F110KB filter
Kaeser F142KB filter
BOGE Compressor Micro Filters
BOGE uses dedicated compressed-air filtration products including its FM Series flange microfilter.
BOGE describes its FM microfilter as a depth filter designed for fine solid-particle filtration, with published filtration down to 0.01 micron for that product configuration.
BOGE filtration searches may include:
BOGE micro filter
BOGE compressed air filter
BOGE line filter
BOGE FM filter
BOGE flange microfilter
BOGE pre-filter
BOGE activated carbon filter
BOGE filter element
SMC Compressed Air Line Filters
SMC offers dedicated AFF Series main-line filters.
The AFF Series is designed for compressed-air filtration and can remove contaminants such as oil, water and foreign matter, while also protecting downstream dryers and precision filters.
SMC publishes AFF configurations covering:
300 to 45, 000 L/min
with port sizes ranging from:
1/8 to 4-inch flange
depending on configuration.
SMC Filter Search Keywords
SMC AFF filter
SMC main line filter
SMC compressed air filter
SMC micro filter
SMC air line filter
SMC AFF element
SMC AFF series replacement filter
CompAir Compressed Air Filters
CompAir offers multiple compressed-air filtration configurations.
Its current range includes:
CF-Series Filters
Designed to remove:
Water aerosols
Oil aerosols
Atmospheric dirt
Solid particles
Rust
Pipe scale
Micro-organisms
CompAir also offers:
High-pressure filters
High-temperature filters
Flanged filters
CFT modular filters
Oil-vapour-removal filters
The current CompAir range includes high-pressure models from CF018L3/8'-HP through CF416L1'-HP, covering applications up to 45 bar in that range.
CompAir SEO Search Terms
CompAir compressed air filter
CompAir line filter
CompAir CF filter
CompAir CF018 filter
CompAir CF series filter
CompAir high pressure filter
CompAir CFT filter
CompAir oil vapour filter
CompAir replacement filter element
ELGi Compressor Line Filter
ELGi compressors are used across industrial compressed-air applications, where downstream filtration can be required according to the end-use air-quality specification.
For ELGi installations, the correct filter should be selected according to:
Compressor capacity
Airflow
Working pressure
Pipe size
Required air purity
Oil contamination
Water contamination
Downstream equipment
ELGi Search Keywords
ELGi compressed air filter
ELGi line filter
ELGi micro filter
ELGi coalescing filter
ELGi air filter
ELGi compressor filter
ELGi replacement filter element
ELGi screw compressor line filter
Chicago Pneumatic Line Filters
Chicago Pneumatic compressed-air treatment requirements can include:
Pre-filters
Coalescing filters
Fine filters
Oil-vapour filters
Replacement filter elements
Water separators
For Chicago Pneumatic installations, the exact filter should be identified using the machine/system details and existing filter information.
Search Keywords
Chicago Pneumatic line filter
CP compressed air filter
Chicago Pneumatic micro filter
CP coalescing filter
CP air line filter
Chicago Pneumatic filter element
CP replacement filter
Other Compressor and Filter Brands Covered by Search Requirements
Customers looking for compressed-air filters may also search for:
Compressor Brands
Atlas Copco
ELGi
Ingersoll Rand
Kaeser
Chicago Pneumatic
Sullair
Gardner Denver
CompAir
BOGE
Hitachi
Kobelco
Kirloskar
Quincy
FS Curtis
Doosan
Fusheng
Hanbell
Kobelco
Mitsui
Airman
Filter Brands
Parker
domnick hunter
Donaldson
SMC
BEA Technologies
Hankison
Omega Air
Walker Filtration
Wilkerson
Norgren
BOGE
Kaeser
Atlas Copco
Ingersoll Rand
CompAir
Chicago Pneumatic
This creates a much broader search footprint without falsely claiming that one filter fits every machine.
Replacement Line Filter Elements
In many cases, the customer does not need an entire filter housing.
The actual requirement may be a:
Replacement micro filter element
Coalescing filter element
Pre-filter element
Fine filter element
Oil-removal element
Activated-carbon element
Dust filter element
Water separator element
The replacement element must match the housing and filtration grade.
Parker, for example, specifically identifies replacement elements according to OIL-X/OIL-Xplus housing and grade, while Donaldson publishes element families for particular housing series.
Why Filter Grade Matters More Than Just Micron Rating
This is one of the most misunderstood parts of compressed-air filtration.
A customer may say:
“I need a 1-micron filter.”
That is not always enough information.
The filter must also be evaluated for:
Contaminant type
Oil aerosol concentration
Water loading
Airflow
Pressure
Temperature
Required ISO 8573-1 air quality
Filter efficiency
Pressure drop
Drainage
Housing compatibility
For example, Atlas Copco's DD+, PD+ and UD+ filters are designed for different filtration roles, while its QD+/QDT+ products address oil-vapour filtration.
Filter Arrangement After a Screw Compressor
A typical compressed-air treatment arrangement can look like:
Screw Compressor
↓
Aftercooler
↓
Water Separator
↓
Pre-Filter
↓
Coalescing/Micro Filter
↓
Air Dryer
↓
Fine Filter
↓
Oil Vapour Filter – if required
↓
Air Receiver / Main Air Header
↓
Production Equipment
The exact arrangement depends on the compressor, dryer, air-quality requirement and application.
Why Pressure Drop Matters
A filter can be technically effective but still be a poor choice if its pressure drop is unnecessarily high.
Compressed air is expensive to produce.
As a filter becomes loaded with contaminants, differential pressure can increase.
Higher pressure drop can increase the compressor system's energy requirement.
This is one reason manufacturers such as Parker and Atlas Copco place considerable emphasis on low-pressure-drop filter designs.
Therefore, selecting a filter should involve more than asking:
“How cheap is the filter?”
A better question is:
“What filtration performance and pressure drop will this filter provide at my actual airflow?”
How to Select the Correct Screw Compressor Line Filter
Before purchasing a replacement filter, collect the following information.
1. Brand
Example:
Atlas Copco / ELGi / Ingersoll Rand / Kaeser / Parker / Donaldson / SMC
2. Filter Model
Example:
FA600I / F46KB / QD75+ / AFF / OIL-X
3. Filter Grade
Example:
AO / AA / DD+ / PD+ / UD+ / QD+
4. Airflow
Give:
CFM / m³/min / Nm³/h
5. Pipe Connection
For example:
½', ¾', 1', 1½', 2', 3'
6. Working Pressure
For example:
7 bar / 10 bar / 13 bar / 16 bar / 40 bar
7. Existing Element Number
This is extremely useful.
8. Photograph
A photograph of the complete filter and element label can often speed up identification.
MK Compressor Line Filter Range
MK Compressor can handle requirements for:
Screw compressor line filters
Micro filters
Compressed air filters
Coalescing filters
Pre-filters
Fine filters
Oil-removal filters
Oil-vapour filters
Activated-carbon filters
Dust filters
Water separators
Compressor filter elements
Dryer filters
Air receiver filtration
Pneumatic line filters
Instrument-air filters
Process-air filters
Replacement filter cartridges
Replacement filter elements
The requirement can be matched according to brand, model, element number, airflow and application.
Screw Compressor Filter for Every Major Industrial Application
Compressed-air filtration requirements are found in practically every industrial sector.
Automotive
Used for:
Pneumatic tools
Paint spraying
Assembly
Robotics
Instrumentation
Pharmaceutical
High-purity compressed air may be required for:
Manufacturing
Packaging
Instrumentation
Process applications
Food & Beverage
Filtration requirements can be particularly important where compressed air comes into contact with production or packaging processes.
Textile
Compressed air is used extensively in:
Looms
Pneumatic controls
Automation
Cleaning
CNC & Machine Tools
Clean and dry compressed air helps protect:
Pneumatic controls
Valves
Tool changers
Precision equipment
Electronics
Fine filtration can be important for sensitive manufacturing environments.
Common Screw Compressor Line Filter Searches
This MK Compressor page is also relevant to searches such as:
screw compressor line filter
compressed air line filter
air compressor micro filter
screw compressor micro filter
compressor coalescing filter
compressed air coalescing filter
air line filter for compressor
industrial air compressor filter
compressed air filter element
screw compressor filter element
compressor filter cartridge
replacement compressor filter
air compressor pre filter
compressed air fine filter
oil removal filter for compressor
oil vapour filter
activated carbon compressed air filter
compressed air dust filter
compressed air water separator
pneumatic line filter
instrument air filter
compressor dryer filter
Brand-Specific Search Keywords
Atlas Copco
Atlas Copco line filter
Atlas Copco compressed air filter
Atlas Copco micro filter
Atlas Copco DD+ filter
Atlas Copco PD+ filter
Atlas Copco UD+ filter
Atlas Copco QD+ filter
Atlas Copco QDT+ filter
Atlas Copco DDp+ filter
Atlas Copco PDp+ filter
Atlas Copco filter element
Atlas Copco replacement filter
Ingersoll Rand
Ingersoll Rand line filter
Ingersoll Rand F-Series filter
Ingersoll Rand FA30I
Ingersoll Rand FA40I
Ingersoll Rand FA75I
Ingersoll Rand FA110I
Ingersoll Rand FA150I
Ingersoll Rand FA190I
Ingersoll Rand FA230I
Ingersoll Rand FA400I
Ingersoll Rand FA490I
Ingersoll Rand FA600I
Ingersoll Rand FA800I
Ingersoll Rand FA1000I
Ingersoll Rand FA1200I
Ingersoll Rand FA1560I
Ingersoll Rand FA1830I
Ingersoll Rand FA2300I
Ingersoll Rand FA2700I
Parker / domnick hunter
Parker OIL-X filter
Parker OIL-Xplus filter
Parker AO filter
Parker AA filter
Parker AC filter
Parker ACS filter
Parker OIL-X filter element
domnick hunter filter
domnick hunter replacement element
Donaldson
Donaldson compressed air filter
Donaldson DF filter
Donaldson SG filter
Donaldson HD filter
Donaldson EG filter
Donaldson P-EG filter
Donaldson PG-EG filter
Donaldson SMF filter
Donaldson FF filter
Donaldson V filter
Donaldson replacement element
Kaeser
Kaeser line filter
Kaeser micro filter
Kaeser F6KB
Kaeser F9KB
Kaeser F16KB
Kaeser F22KB
Kaeser F26KB
Kaeser F46KB
Kaeser F83KB
Kaeser F110KB
Kaeser F142KB
Kaeser filter element
SMC
SMC AFF filter
SMC AFF series
SMC main line filter
SMC compressed air filter
SMC micro filter
SMC AFF replacement element
CompAir
CompAir line filter
CompAir CF filter
CompAir CF Series
CompAir high pressure filter
CompAir CFT filter
CompAir oil vapour filter
CompAir replacement filter element
BOGE
BOGE micro filter
BOGE FM filter
BOGE line filter
BOGE flange microfilter
BOGE compressed air filter
BOGE replacement filter
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a micro filter in a screw compressor system?
A micro filter is a compressed-air filtration component designed for finer contaminant removal than a basic pre-filter, depending on the specific filter grade and technology.
What is a line filter used for?
A line filter is installed in a compressed-air pipeline to reduce contaminants such as particles, water aerosols and oil aerosols, depending on its filtration grade.
Is a micro filter the same as a coalescing filter?
Not necessarily. “Micro filter” is often used as a general description, while a coalescing filter specifically uses coalescence technology to remove liquid aerosols and fine particles.
Can I use one line filter for every screw compressor?
No. Flow capacity, pressure, connection size, filtration grade and element dimensions must be matched to the application.
Do you supply Atlas Copco line filters?
MK Compressor handles enquiries for Atlas Copco-type compressed-air filtration requirements including DD+, PD+, UD+, QD+, QDT+, DDp+ and PDp+ families, subject to application and specification matching.
Do you supply Ingersoll Rand filters?
Yes. MK Compressor can handle enquiries for Ingersoll Rand compressed-air filters, including F-Series requirements such as FA30I through FA2700I configurations.
Do you supply Parker OIL-X filters?
MK Compressor can handle Parker/domnick hunter OIL-X-type filter and replacement-element requirements, subject to the correct housing and grade.
Do you supply Donaldson filter elements?
Yes, Donaldson compressed-air filtration and replacement-element requirements can be checked according to the housing and element series.
Do you supply Kaeser filters?
Yes, Kaeser filter requirements can be evaluated according to the F-series model, airflow, connection and element specification.
Do you supply SMC AFF filters?
Yes, SMC AFF-series main-line filter requirements can be evaluated according to the exact model and airflow requirement.
Can you identify a filter from a photograph?
Yes, a photograph is useful for preliminary identification. For accurate matching, send the brand, model, element number, connection size and compressor details wherever available.
Why Choose MK Compressor for Line Filters?
The practical problem with compressed-air filters is not simply finding a filter.
It is finding the correct filter.
A filter that is too small can create excessive pressure drop.
A filter with the wrong grade may not provide the required air quality.
A filter with the wrong connection cannot be installed correctly.
An incorrect element may not fit the housing.
MK Compressor therefore works around the information that actually matters:
Brand + Model + Grade + Airflow + Connection + Pressure + Element Number
This makes the selection process more useful for maintenance departments, compressor service engineers, OEM-equipment users and industrial buyers.
Send Your Existing Filter Details to MK Compressor
If you are unsure which compressed-air filter you require, send:
1. Existing filter photograph
2. Brand name
3. Filter model
4. Element/part number
5. Pipe connection size
6. Compressor capacity
7. Working pressure
8. Required quantity
MK Compressor can then check the requirement and identify the appropriate available filter or replacement element.
Conclusion
A screw compressor does not end at the compressor outlet.
The quality of the compressed air delivered to the production line depends on the complete air-treatment system.
That is why pre-filters, coalescing filters, micro filters, fine filters, oil-vapour filters, activated-carbon filters and replacement filter elements are important parts of an industrial compressed-air installation.
MK Compressor supplies and deals in compressed-air filtration requirements across major compressor and filtration brands, including Atlas Copco, Ingersoll Rand, ELGi, Kaeser, Parker domnick hunter, Donaldson, SMC, BOGE, CompAir, Chicago Pneumatic and other industrial systems, subject to correct model and application matching.
Whether you are searching for an Atlas Copco DD+ filter, PD+ filter, UD+ filter, QD+ filter, Ingersoll Rand FA-Series filter, Parker OIL-X filter, Donaldson compressed-air filter, Kaeser F-Series filter, SMC AFF filter, BOGE microfilter, CompAir CF filter, screw compressor line filter, micro filter, coalescing filter or replacement filter element, MK Compressor can help identify the requirement.
For faster identification, send the existing filter photograph and part number along with the compressor model.
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