UFI Air Sentry Filters

Description

Advanced Protection for Fluid Systems: UFI Air Sentry Filters

Air Sentry desiccant breathers represent a key solution for contamination control in hydraulic systems. These devices replace traditional vent caps and breathers, providing an active barrier against the ingress of moisture and solid particulate into the tank, thus ensuring clean and dry air inside the system.

Three-Stage Operating Principle

The design of UFI Air Sentry Filters uses a three-stage configuration to ensure optimal effectiveness:

1. Initial Solid Filtration: Incoming air passes through a first 2 µm particulate filter, which blocks coarser contaminants.
2. Moisture Adsorption: The air then flows through a diffuser to maximize effectiveness inside the chamber containing silica gel. This chemically inert and non-toxic material has a microscopic porous structure capable of adsorbing water vapor up to 40% of its own weight. When maximum adsorption capacity is reached, the silica gel changes color from yellow to blue, visually indicating the need to replace the filter.
3. Final Filtration and Activated Carbon: After drying, the air passes through a second 2 µm particulate filter and a layer of activated carbon that removes any oil vapors before entering the tank.

During the air exhaust phase from the tank, the reverse airflow partially regenerates the silica gel and cleans the particulate filter, extending the service life of the component.

Construction Features and Materials

The range is divided into two main series to suit different application requirements:

• D-10+ Series: Made of robust ABS plastic and modified Plexiglas for impact resistance. These models require specific adapters for tank mounting, such as model A-102 (1″ threaded) or A-104 (bayonet fitting for standard flanges).
• R-10+ Series: Featuring a reinforced steel base, ideal for heavy-duty applications. These filters connect directly to the tank via a 1″ NPT male thread.

Operating Technical Specifications

The filters operate effectively within a temperature range from -30°C to 100°C. The nominal air flow rate is 1,000 l/min, making them suitable for a wide range of industrial applications. Available models vary in size and maximum water retention capacity, ranging from 0.2 liters of water for models D-101 and R-101, up to 0.5 liters for models D-102 and R-102.

Technical summary table of the main characteristics of UFI Air Sentry Filters.