Industrial compressed air systems are energy hogs. So it is no surprise that many electric utilities (those with mandated energy efficiency programs) want their customers to use compressed air as efficiently as possible. To this end, some utilities offer rebates for certain energy efficient air system components, include low pressure drop filters called oil mist eliminators.

Mist eliminators are deep bed oil coalescing filters for removing compressor lubricant from air lines. The filter element in a mist eliminator is much larger and more loosely woven than the element in a standard coalescing filter. This results in less restriction of air flow through the filter and a lower pressure loss. 

A common rule of thumb is that every 2 PSI of increased pressure grows electricity consumption by 1%.  Conversely, lowering system pressure reduces energy cost.  An oil mist eliminator allows the compressor to run at a lower discharge pressure without starving the plant of needed pressure.

Most mist eliminator designs entail a pressure differential well below 1 PSI at start-up. I’ve seen cases where differential pressure is not even measurable with a standard DP gauge.  

Many conventional coalescing filters exhibit a differential pressure of 2 PSI at start-up, with recommended element changes at 5 PSID or higher.

I spent only 10 minutes looking for utilities that offer rebates for oil mist eliminators. Here are the links I found.

• Energy Trust of Oregon - $2 per CFM of Rated Capacity
• Rock Rapids Municipal Utilities - $4 per CFM of Rated Capacity
• City of Tacoma, Washington
• Xcel Energy (MN & CO) - $3 per CFM of Rated Capacity
• Customer of Missouri River Energy Services - $4 per CFM

I’m sure there are many, many others.

Are you thinking about upgrading to a oil mist eliminator?  I’ve got some great deals on 850 CFM & 125 CFM mist eliminators. 

At the moment I have in stock three VME Series oil mist eliminators on special sale. Two are nominally rated for 850 CFM. These are selling for $2,800 each plus freight. The other is rated for 125 CFM and is selling for $2,300 plus freight.

Even without a utility rebate these are good deals.  Ready to shop?  Click on the banner below.