Catalyst system achieves oil-free compressed air

Using a BEKOKAT catalyst with conventional, oil-lubricated compressors is a significantly more efficient and, therefore, more cost-effective solution for the generation of oil-free compressed air than oil-free compressors. This is also achieved at lower investment costs and with consistently high compressed-air quality, regardless of the air suction conditions.

Suitable for the retrofitting of existing compressor stations, a BEKOKAT can be used to transform a compressor station with existing oil-lubricated compressors into an oil-free compressed-air provision system without the need of expensive investments for new oil-free compressors.

The catalyst includes a granulate that is heated to an operating temperature of around 150°C. Oil molecules in the catalyst are broken up until only a carbon atom remains. After the final catalytic phase, the oil molecules have oxidised to H₂O and CO₂. The oil-free compressed air can then be used and the remaining water is discharged, making the BEKOKAT systems highly effective and also very environmentally friendly.

The process is very reliable because catalytic oxidation takes place completely independent of ambient temperature, inlet temperature, air humidity and oil inlet concentration. Even during partial load operation, the efficiency of the catalyst technology of the BEKOKAT device is not in any way reduced.

The exceptionally long useful life of the special BEKOKAT granulate (20,000 hours) is far greater than conventional activated carbon fills which to be replaced after about 300 hours of operation.