The UD+ advanced filter technology which combines Atlas Copco’s 2-in-1 nautilus concept, delivers a 40% lower pressure drop, removes contamination in compressed air down to 0.01 ppm, reduces maintenance costs and offers numerous environmental advantages.

The patent-pending UD+ single cartridge in-line filter from Atlas Copco Compressor Technique replaces the traditional two-filter solution commonly used by oil-injected compressor applications to decontaminate compressed air lines by removing concentrations of water, dust and oil (in the case of oil-injected compressors) to achieve suitable quality compressed air.

Business Line Manager of Atlas Copco Compressor Technique’s Industrial Air Division, Charl Ackerman, explains that in the two-filter solution, the Atlas Copco general-purpose coalescing DD filter removes liquid water and oil aerosols from the air down to 0.1 mg/m³ (0.1 ppm) and particles down to 1.0 µm. “In order to remove aerosols larger than 0.01 mg/m³ (0.01 ppm) and particles down to 0.01 µm, the air must be passed through Atlas Copco’s high-efficiency coalescing PD filter.” However, Ackerman points out that while the traditional one or two layers of dense filter media efficiently remove debris, they tend to clog easily, particularly in the case of wet contaminants.

To minimise the energy loss normally associated with compressed air filtration, the design of the UD+ single filter combines maximum contaminant removal efficiency with minimum pressure drop. This innovative design incorporates Nautilus shell technology allowing the air to move through spiral pathways.

The filter media which is of a more open glass fibre type is wrapped around itself creating a significantly larger filtration area. As a result of this innovative technology the filter clogs more slowly which reduces the pressure drop by 40% while retaining filtration efficiency.

This combination technology which Atlas Copco has achieved without increasing the size of the filter housing is available at 20% less than the cost of the two-filter system and provides the perfect universal filtration solution for any reticulation line. “The UD+ single filter is a masterclass in filtration technology that redefines filtration standards for compressed air lines,” concludes Ackerman.