Atlas Copco

Compressed air filters

QDT 20 - 45 - 60 - 95 - 125 - 150 - 185 - 245 - 310

Instruction book
Atlas Copco
Compressed air filters

QDT 20 - 45 - 60 - 95 - 125 - 150 - 185 - 245 - 310

From following serial No. onwards: API 087 400

Instruction book
Original instructions

Copyright notice
Any unauthorized use or copying of the contents or any part thereof is prohibited.
This applies in particular to trademarks, model denominations, part numbers and drawings.
This instruction book is valid for CE as well as non-CE labelled machines. It meets the
requirements for instructions specified by the applicable European directives as identified
in the Declaration of Conformity.

2010 - 03
No. 2920 7090 71
Replaces No. 2920 7090 70
www.atlascopco.com
 Instruction book

Table of contents

1 Safety...............................................................................................................................4

1.1 SAFETY ICONS...................................................................................................................................4

1.2 SAFETY PRECAUTIONS.........................................................................................................................4

2 General............................................................................................................................6

2.1 GENERAL DESCRIPTION.......................................................................................................................6

3 Installation.......................................................................................................................7

3.1 GENERAL REMARKS............................................................................................................................7

3.2 DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT....................................................................................................................7

3.3 MOUNTING INSTRUCTION......................................................................................................................8

3.4 SPECIFIC REMARKS.............................................................................................................................9

3.5 OPTIONS........................................................................................................................................10

4 Standards......................................................................................................................13

4.1 ISO 8573.....................................................................................................................................13

4.2 ISO 12500-2................................................................................................................................13

4.3 FOOD CHEMICAL CODEX 1981............................................................................................................14

4.4 SILICONE FREE................................................................................................................................14

5 Service and maintenance.............................................................................................15

5.1 SERVICE.........................................................................................................................................15

5.2 PROCEDURE....................................................................................................................................15

5.3 SERVICE INTERVALS..........................................................................................................................16

6 Technical data...............................................................................................................17

6.1 REFERENCE CONDITIONS...................................................................................................................17

6.2 PRINCIPAL DATA...............................................................................................................................17

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6.3 NOMINAL CAPACITY...........................................................................................................................17

6.4 CORRECTION FACTORS......................................................................................................................17

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1 Safety

1.1 Safety icons

Explanation

Danger for life

Warning

Important note

1.2 Safety precautions

All responsibility for any damage or injury resulting from neglecting these precautions, or
non-observance of the normal caution and care required for installation, operation,
maintenance and repair, even if not expressly stated, will be disclaimed by the
manufacturer.

General precautions
1. The operator must employ safe working practices and observe all related work safety requirements and
regulations.
If any of the following statements does not comply with the applicable legislation, the stricter of the two
shall apply.
2. Installation, operation, maintenance and repair must only be performed by authorised, trained, specialised
personnel.
3. The compressor is not considered capable of producing breathing air. The filter does not remove methane,
carbon monoxide and some other toxic gases and fumes.
4. Before any maintenance, stop the compressor. In addition, the power isolating switch must be opened and
locked and the system depressurized.
5. Never play with compressed air. Do not apply the air to your skin or direct an air stream at people. Never
use the air to clean dirt from your clothes. When using the air to clean equipment, do so with extreme
caution and wear eye protection.
6. Never operate unit at pressures below or in excess of its limit ratings.
7. No external force may be exerted on the air outlet /inlet. The connection pipes must be free of strain.

Precautions during installation, operation and maintenance

1. Distribution pipes and connections must be of the correct size and suitable for the working pressure.
2. Pipework or other parts with a temperature in excess of 80˚C (176˚F) and which may be accidentally
touched by personnel in normal operation must be guarded or insulated. Other high-temperature pipework
must be clearly marked.

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3. Before starting maintenance or repair, a warning sign bearing a legend such as "work in progress; do not
start" shall be attached to the starting equipment.
4. Always wear safety glasses during maintenance or repair work.
5. Use only the correct tools for maintenance and repair work.
6. Use only genuine parts.
7. All maintenance work shall only be undertaken when the filter has cooled down.
8. Before removing any pressurized component, effectively isolate the machine from all sources of pressure
and relieve the entire system of pressure.
9. The aspirated air must be free of flammable fumes and particles that can lead to internal fire or explosion.
10. Never operate the machine when there is a possibility of taking in flammable or toxic fumes vapours or
particles.
11. The filter shall only be lifted with adequate equipment in conformity with local safety rules and can only
be moved when not in use.
12. The electrical connections shall correspond to the local codes. The units shall be grounded and protected
against short circuits by fuses.

These precautions apply to machinery processing or consuming air or inert gas.

Processing of any other gas requires additional safety precautions typical to the application
which are not included herein.

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2 General

2.1 General description

QDT filters
QDT filters are designed for the removal of oil vapours and odours from compressed air.
The air flows through the activated carbon which is contained in the QDT filter element and which adsorbs
oil vapours and odours. The QDT has to be preceded by a DD and PD filter.
QDT filters adsorb all oil and most of the volatile compounds in the air.
Some volatile organic substances are more difficult to remove. As an example, this filter does not remove
methane, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and some other toxic gases and fumes. Therefore air from the
QDT can not directly be used for breathing purposes.
Factors that influence the performance of activated carbon in air:
• Type of compound to be removed:
In general compounds with a high molecular weight, lower vapour pressure/higher boiling point and high
refractive index are better adsorbed.
• Concentration:
The higher the concentration, the higher the carbon consumption which results in a lower lifetime.
• Temperature:
The lower the temperature, the better the adsorption capacity.
• Pressure:
The higher the pressure, the better the adsorption capacity.
• Humidity:
The lower the humidity, the better the adsorption capacity.

This filter does not remove methane, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide or other toxic gases
and fumes.

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3 Installation

3.1 General remarks

When installing the filter, keep the following in mind:

• Be sure that the piping is internally clean, especially downstream of the filter.
• If the filter is integrated in a multiple line system, provide isolating valves and, if required, a bypass.
• The filter must be installed vertically, leaving sufficient space above the extrusion for maintenance (see
section mounting instructions)
• When multiple extrusions are used, the length of the air path must be equal to all extrusions. For example
the air enters in the top left head and exits from the down right head. Keep in mind that the filter bag is
placed in the correct flow direction.

3.2 Dimensions and weight

Type A B C Number of Weight

mm mm mm elements kg
QDT 20 490 223 190 1 10
QDT 45 715 223 190 1 15
QDT 60 840 223 190 1 18

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QDT 95 715 387 190 2 29

QDT 125 840 387 190 2 34
QDT 150 715 551 190 3 42
QDT 185 840 551 190 3 50
QDT 245 840 715 190 4 67
QDT 310 840 879 190 5 84

Dimension B is the total length including the flanges.

3.3 Mounting instruction

The filter (6) must be installed on a level floor suitable for taking the weight of the filter. There must be a free
space above the filter of 800 mm for service.

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To connect the filter with the air net it is necessary to place a valve (2) at the inlet and the outlet. This valve
must be placed as close as possible to the filters to make it easily reachable for service personnel.
Make sure that the air delivered to the filter does not exceed the limitations mentioned in this instruction book,
such as reduced oil content and a lowered dew point. Both parameters have a big impact on the lifetime and
performance of the activated carbon tower.
When the compressor (1) does not have an internal dryer, a separate dryer should be included in the setup.
Before the QDT filter install two inlet filters: a type DD filter (4) for general purpose filtration (particle removal
down to 1 μm with a maximum oil carry-over of 0.1 ppm ) and a high efficiency PD filter (5) for a particle
removal down to 0.01 μm with a maximum oil carry-over of 0.01 ppm. At the outlet, a high efficiency PDp
filter (7) is placed for the removal of particles down to 0.01 μm.
A drain tube must be installed on both inlet filters. The drain pipes (3) to the drain collector must not dip into
the water.
The preferred and recommended installation sequence is a compressor with internal dryer (1) - filters (4,5,6,7)
- air receiver (8). The compressor intake has to be located in an area where there is minimal contamination
from internal combustion engine exhaust or other sources of organic vapours. Check that the correct start-up
procedure is followed. This procedure is described in detail in this instruction book (chapter 5.2).
Consult Atlas Copco customer centre for more information.

All piping to be connected stress-free.

3.4 Specific remarks

DD/PD filter
To protect the activated carbon element, the QDT filter must always be preceded by a DD and PD filter. The
filter should be mounted as close as possible to the point of use of the air.

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DDp/PDp filter
The QDT contains activated carbon which could create dust. Depending of the required purity of the air the
QDT filter must be followed by a DDp or PDp dust filter.

3.5 Options

Oil indicator
An oil indicator is available as an option to control the purity of the air. The oil indicator is a calibrated
measuring instrument, used to detect aerosol-mist levels of oil entrainment that may be present in compressed
air systems. Sensitivity of the indicator is limited only by the total number of hours it is allowed to remain on
the air supply system. The indicator is sensitive enough to measure a concentration of oil entrainment as low
as 0.01 ppm. This sensor will indicate when the cartridge is saturated and has to be replaced. The oil indicator
has a maximum pressure of 8.75 bar (127 psi).

When not measuring the valve should remain closed.

Oil Concentration Determination

1. Read out the units of colour travel (as read from the indicator scale) and determine the total time in hours.
2. • If colour travel is 1 unit at the final reading time, find the Total Hours on the right side of the conversion
chart and the pressure on the bottom of the chart. The point where Hours and Pressure intersect is the
parts per million of oil concentration.
• If the final reading occurs at other than 1 unit of colour travel, divide the units travelled by the total
hours to find the Rate of Colour Travel.
3. Find the Rate of Colour
Travel on the left side of the conversion chart and the Pressure on the bottom of the chart. The point where
Rate and Pressure intersect is the parts per million of oil concentration. For any Rate of Colour Travel beyond

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0.02 units/hr or below 0.002., the measured rate should be divided or multiplied by any factor which will
bring it into the range of the chart. This number should then be used to determine the oil concentration (ppm).
This concentration must then be multiplied by the same factor used previously to determine the actual oil
concentration.
Example:
The Rate of Colour Travel after a QDT filter at 5.6 bar (80 psig [560 kPa]) is found to be 0.5 units/4000 hrs
= 0.000125.
Multiply this rate by 100 (0.000125 x100 = 0.0125 units/hr) to bring it into the range of the conversion chart.
Locate this new rate on the chart, showing a concentration of 0.18 ppm.
Divide this concentration by the previous factor (0.18 : 100 = 0.0018 ppm) to obtain the actual oil concentration
in the air being tested.

*W/W Weight of oil per weight of air

text on figure

(1) RATE OF COLOUR TRAVEL

(2) PRESSURE ON OIL INDICATOR
(3) TOTAL HOURS FOR ONE UNIT COLOUR TRAVEL
(4) PARTS PER MILLION - BY WEIGHT

Note:
• Multiply ppm by 0.12 to obtain oz/100000 scf
• Multiply ppm by 1.2 to obtain mg/m3
Simplified estimation at 7 bar:
Measure the time needed for 1 unit colour travel Concentration in ppm = 10/Time of one unit of colour travel

Wall mounting kit

For wall mounting, a special set is available as option.

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Fit the mounting brackets with bolts, washers and nuts to a solid frame within easy reach, leaving sufficient
space at the top for maintenance and service.

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4 Standards

4.1 ISO 8573

For new installations as well as for installations that have to be made up-to-date, the ISO 8573-5 norm can
be used to measure the oil vapour concentration after the QDT filter. In the norm 8573-1 the quality classes
are described and, depending on these classes and applications, some proposals are given fulfilling this norm.
The air quality to ISO 8573-1 is expressed as follows: class X.Y.Z, where X, Y and Z are respectively the
quality classes with regard to dirt, water and oil.

The ISO 8573-1 (ed . 2010) norm only concerns compressed air for general use and does
not deal with, or is not applicable to, e.g. breathing air.

ISO maximum number of particles per m3 pressure total oil concentration (aerosol,
Class dewpoint °C liquid and vapour) mg/m3
0.1 - 0.5 μm 0.5 - 1.0 μm 1.0 - 5.0 μm
0 as specified by the equipment user or supplier and more stringent than class 1
1 20000 400 10 -70 <0.01
2 4000000 6000 100 -40 <0.1
3 not specified 90000 1000 -20 <1
4 not specified not specified 10000 3 <5
5 not specified not specified 100000 7 -
6 mass concentration: 1 - 5 mg/m3 10 -

Downstream the QDT the total oil concentration will be <0.003 mg/m3 (class 1 for total oil concentration).
For food grade air an ISO class of minimal 2.2.1 is needed.
The QDT reduces the total oil content down to class 1. When followed by a PDp dust filter, the dust
concentration will also be according this regulation.
A desiccant dryer will be needed to reduce the dew point down to -40 °C.

4.2 ISO 12500-2

The ISO 12500-2:2007 specifies the test layout and test procedures required for testing hydrocarbon vapour
adsorbent filters used in compressed air systems to determine their effectiveness in removing hydrocarbon
vapours. The performance characteristics to be identified are:
• adsorptive capacity
• pressure drop
• life time
This part of ISO 12500 defines one method of presenting filter performance as hydrocarbon-vapour capacity,
expressed in milligrams, from results obtained under test conditions.
The QDT filter has a lifetime of 4000 hours at an inlet concentration of 0.35 mg/m3. After 4000 hours the
concentration of oil vapours could exceed 0.003 mg/m3.

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4.3 Food chemical codex 1981

The activated carbon used in this filter complies with the food chemical codex 1981 specification and can
therefore be used for purification of air in food applications.

4.4 Silicone free

The QDT does not add any silicone to the air. The components are considered silicone free.

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5 Service and maintenance

5.1 Service
Change the QDT filter element yearly or every 4000 hours, whichever comes first. Its
pressure drop will not increase during its useful life. Nevertheless, the adsorption element
must be changed earlier at the first signs of oil vapour and odour.

When the filter has to process air with a temperature higher than the reference temperature, the filter’s lifetime
will reduce considerably. It is then advisable to oversize the filter.
The air flow of the filter is from the top to the bottom of the filter. Due to the composition of the activated
carbon element, the bag must be placed with the knot at the top of the bag.
If an oil indicator is mounted, the purity of the air is measured. When the indicator shows a fast increase of
oil content in the air, the QDT filter element and the indicator tube have to be replaced.

5.2 Procedure
A small amount of acid-free vaseline may be applied to screw threads and o-rings to facilitate the assembly
1. Isolate the filters from the air net.
2. Depressurize the QDT filter by means of the DD or PD filter drains.
3. Uncouple the pipe at the inlet with the flange.
4. Unscrew the head.
5. Remove the spring and the perforated plate.
6. Remove the filter bag.

7. Clean the extrusion and heads with a dry clean cloth.

8. Place a new filter bag inside the extrusion. The label “This side up” must be at the top of the bag.
9. Replace the o-ring in the head (and between the heads).
10. Reposition the perforated plate and spring.
11. Screw the head completely on the extrusion.
12. Torque the bolts with 40 Nm.
13. Connect the head and flange at the inlet of the filter. Replace the o-ring between the flange and the head.
14. Slowly pressurize the filters.
15. Check for leaks.

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5.3 Service intervals

• For units operating less than 4.000 hours per year: 12 months.
• For units operating more than 4.000 hours per year: every 4000 hours.
• By first signs of oil vapour after the filter this element must be replaced immediately.

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6 Technical data

6.1 Reference conditions

Air inlet pressure 7 bar(e) (102 psig)
Air inlet temperature 35 °C (95 °F)
Ambient temperature 20 °C (68 °F)
Total inlet concentration of oil vapours 0.35 mg/m3
Inlet pressure dew point +3 °C
Relative humidity of compressed air at inlet 100 %

6.2 Principal data

Maximum compressed air inlet pressure 16 bar(e) (232 psig)
Minimum compressed air inlet pressure 1 bar(e) (15 psig)
Minimum compressed air inlet temperature 1 °C (34 °F)
Maximum compressed air inlet temperature 66 °C
Minimum ambient temperature -10 °C
Maximum ambient temperature 66 °C
Maximum pressure drop 0. 4 bar
Maximum compressed air inlet temperature for normal 50 °C
service life
Maximum oil carry over at 20 °C and 7 bar(e) (68 °F 0.003 mg/m3
and 102 psig)

6.3 Nominal capacity

Type QDT 20 QDT 45 QDT 60 QDT 95 QDT QDT 150 QDT QDT 245 QDT
125 185 310
l/s 20 45 60 95 125 150 185 245 310
cfm 42 95 127 201 264 317 392 519 656

6.4 Correction factors

When the actual working pressure, temperature or other factors differ from the reference, multiply the nominal
capacity of the filter with the corresponding correction factor to obtain the correct capacity.
The correction is build up in several factors:
First determine the concentration of oil in the area of the compressor:

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Ambient temperature. higher ambient temperatures could contain more oil vapours and need a higher
correction.

Ambient temp. Concentration in air (mg/m3)

(°C)
10 0.07
15 0.08
20 0.1
25 0.15
30 0.2
35 0.35
40 0.5
45 0.7

Some environmental aspects could cause a higher amount of oil or volatile organic compounds in the air due
to processes with organic solvents/oils nearby. Contact Atlas Copco when higher concentrations can be
expected.

Compressed air temperature:

at higher temperatures more oil of the compressor oil is evaporated.

Compressed air temp. Concentration in air (mg/m3)

(°C)
20 0.07
25 0.1
30 0.15
35 0.25
40 0.4
45 0.55
50 0.85
60 1.8
Oil free 0

Add both concentrations together and determine the oil correction factor in the table below: (Oil area + oil
compressor)

total oil (mg/m3) correction factor total oil (mg/m3) correction factor
0.13 0.6 0.8 1.9
0.2 0.7 0.9 2.1
0.3 0.9 1 2.3
0.4 1.1 1.2 2.7
0.5 1.3 1.4 3.1
0.6 1.5 2 4.3
0.7 1.7 2.5 5.3

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This correction is than again corrected for the pressure in the system. To calculate the total correction, the oil
correction factor is multiplied with the pressure correction.

Pressure 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
(bar)
Factor 5.00 2.00 1.75 1.30 1.20 1.00 1.00 1.00

Pressure 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
(bar)
Factor 1.00 0.95 0.95 0.90 0.95 0.80 0.75 0.75

Examples
Example 1:
The QDT filter is placed downstream an oil lubricated compressor installed in a warehouse where the
temperature is kept at 20 °C.
The compressed air temperature before the QDT filter is 35 °C.
The filter is operated at 7 bar and 44 l/s (= compressed air flow)
Maximum total oil content: 0.1+0.25 mg/m3 -> oil correction factor for 0.35=1
and the pressure correction factor: at 7 bar = 1
Total correction is 1x1=1, thus for 44 l/s an QDT 45 is recommended
Example 2:
The QDT filter is placed after an oil lubricated compressor which is situated in a room where the temperature
is 25°C, due to processes.
The compressed air temperature before the QDT filter is 40°C.
The filter is operated at 5bar and 60 l/s
Maximum total oil content: 0.15+0.4 mg/m3 = 0.55 mg/m3 -> oil correction factor =1.4
Pressure correction factor: at 5 bar = 1.2
Total correction is 1.4 x 1.2 = 1.68, thus for 60 l/s the total calculation would give a value 101.
Possible options are QDT 95 and 125.
Selecting an oversized QDT 125, the filter would give the best guarantee for a lifetime of 4000 hours and the
lowest pressure drop.
It is advised to never underrate the filter. By selecting an undersized QDT 95, the element has to be replaced
before 4000 hours and the pressure drop could also exceed its limitations.

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In order to be First in Mind-First in Choice® for all your quality
compressed air needs, Atlas Copco delivers the products and
services that help to increase your business’ efficiency and
profitability.
Atlas Copco's pursuit of innovation never ceases, driven by our
need for reliability and efficiency. Always working with you, we are
committed to providing you the customized quality air solution that
is the driving force behind your business.

No. 2920 7090 71 / 2010 - 03 - Printed in Belgium

www.atlascopco.com