Untreated compressed air from the compressor’s aftercooler enters at the top of the coalescing separator housing and passes through a dual element, high efficiency sintered element. The condensed water and oil droplets are effectively separated from the compressed air by passing through the sintered element and by the action of the air against the interior of the separator housing. The condensed oil and water droplets collect at the bottom of the separator housing for manual or automatic draining at regular intervals. BAUER recommends inspecting the element at least two times per year to keep the element in good working order for optimum efficiency. Clean or replace as required.

The compressed air, having had the condensed water and oil particles effectively separated from the compressed air, enters the air processing filter housing. Depending upon the model, up to 3 filter housings may be used in series. The air enters the air processing cartridge through the bottom of the cartridge and immediately passes through a micro filter to remove even the tiniest of solid contaminates from the compressed air. Each cartridge uses a double o-ringed nipple for sealing. Each filter housing includes a vent hole (not depicted) to vent air to atmosphere if a cartridge has been installed incorrectly, if one or both of the o-rings are damaged, or if the cartridge isn’t present. This feature prevents untreated air from passing downstream to storage cylinders or to the system consuming the air.