Reliability and punctuality of operation are key factors with passenger and
freight rolling stock today, in an industry where safety and performance are
paramount.
Compressed air provides power to some of the most sophisticated applications
that keeps the rolling stock operational but is generally contaminated with
the most natural elements known to man -dirt, water and oil. If you add the
contamination induced by the compressor itself, oil and wear particles will
mix with the dirt and water to produce contamination in the form of an abrasive
paste which has no lubricating properties at all!
If this contamination is not removed from the compressed air system, it will
result in:
- Detrimental effect on performance
- System breakdown
- Unscheduled maintenance
- Set out for service costs
- Costly repairs
- Dissatisfied customers
As the majority of applications are external, they are therefore susceptible
to climatic conditions. Any moisture remaining in the compressed air system
will have a major and detrimental effect on the performance, and is a contributing
factor to fracturing air lines and damaged pneumatic cylinders caused by freezing
and blocked pipes. Unplanned and unbudgeted maintenance will be required, affecting
the single most important value every operator is striving to attain - a reliable
operation!
As awareness of the value of compressed air used in railway applications is
growing, so also is the need for better quality air in terms of contamination
removal and the improved lifetime of all applications which depend upon it.
The introduction of new and sensitive pneumatic control systems, linked with
economic and environmental considerations are making the effective treatment
of compressed air a necessity.