Training Manual

TRAINING MANUAL

This Training Manual is designed to assist in your understanding of Air Sentry® Contamination
Control Breathers. It presents information to help you understand the need for the product, how
it works, technical and application information, and how to effectively use the sales presentation
materials.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. AN INTRODUCTION TO AIR SENTRY® BREATHERS

II. OPERATIONAL FEATURES

III. INSTALLATION PROCEDURES

IV. PRESENTATION MATERIALS

V. WHERE TO SELL AIR SENTRY® BREATHERS

VI. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

©
Copyright 2002

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 I. AN INTRODUCTION TO AIR SENTRY® CONTAMINATION CONTROL
BREATHERS

What is An Air Sentry® Breather?

Air Sentry® Breathers are a unique, patented air filter and water vapor removal system.
They replace the standard breather or vent cap on virtually all types of industrial
equipment that contain hydrocarbon and other non-aqueous fluids. They also prevent
contamination of products in storage and process tanks. Many other applications exist,
such as protection of insulating fluid in transformers, the reduction of pump-down time
for vacuum chambers, adaption to air breathers for off-road vehicles, and more.

The units are designed to prevent water and solid contaminants from entering fluid
reservoirs as differential pressures occur through thermal expansion and contraction of
the fluid, or during the filling and emptying process. They also help remove water
contained within a reservoir to prevent condensation and thereby extend the service life
of industrial equipment.

Why Is an Air Sentry® Breather Necessary on Industrial Equipment?

In any fluid-containing reservoir, air space is required to allow thermal expansion as the
fluid heats up under operating conditions. The expanding fluid and the heated air create
increased pressure within the reservoir which must be allowed to escape if damage to
seals or the container is to be avoided. (The reservoir breathes out).

For this reason a “breather” or “vent” is fitted to the reservoir, usually at the highest
possible point, to allow air movement out of, and back into the reservoir to achieve equal
pressure with the external environment. The simplest types of breathers are standpipes or
pipe fittings with a hood to avoid larger contaminants from entering the reservoir.

The problem with simple breather vents is that they allow water vapor and abrasive
contaminants to enter the reservoir as the unit cools down, and thermal contraction causes
a negative pressure to occur (the reservoir breathes in) drawing air into the reservoir to
balance pressure with the external environment.

The solution in the past has been to fit disposable paper filter units to the standpipe or to
fit complicated “oil bath type” filters to trap incoming contamination. Both of these
solutions are relatively ineffective as the disposable filters generally only filter down to
approximately 50 microns (0.002”) and the “oil bath type” filters require frequent clean
out and replenishment of the oil. Neither method is capable of controlling water vapor
contamination, which is as bad as or worse than solid particle contamination.

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 Why Is Water Contamination A Problem?

As the fluid level decreases, it draws air into the reservoir. This air enters at ambient
temperature and balances the pressure with the outside air. The heating of the air to unit
operating temperature allows the partial pressure of the heated air to retain atmospheric
moisture in the form of water vapor.

As the air in the reservoir cools down, it loses its ability to retain the water vapor and
condenses. This condensed water forms droplets on the inside surfaces of the reservoir
which group together and enter the fluid, resulting in contamination.

The water mixes with the oil in the circulating pump or working zone of the equipment
and results in:

 reduced lubricating ability

 blocked filters
 sludge formation
 increased oxidation of the oil
 equipment failures

Moisture remains on the inside of the reservoir and causes corrosion. This corrosion
contaminates the oil with abrasive oxides (rust and others) and speeds up the wear
process in the equipment.

Water contamination of the lubricating oil dramatically shortens the life of the lubricant
and has a negative effect on the additives. This results in accelerated wear of the
components.

How Do Air Sentry® Breathers Stop Water?

The Air Sentry® Breather is filled with a hygroscopic agent (water adsorbing) silica gel
that traps and adsorbs moisture contained in the air entering the filter. It also removes
moisture from within the reservoir as the unit breathes out. As the reservoir heats up,
water contained within the reservoir is re-absorbed into vapor. As the air is forced out
through the breather, the water vapor is removed by the silica gel.

By controlling moisture both entering and exiting the reservoir, the problems caused by
water contamination are prevented.

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 How Do Air Sentry® Breathers Filter Out Contaminants?

Most Air Sentry® Breathers have two (2) anti-static solid particulate filters.
Exception: Z-Series only has one (1), M-Series has 0ne (1) pleated filter. See technical
data for both.

1. As air enters the unit from outside the reservoir, it passes through a knit polyester
filter element that retains solid particles down to 2 micron. The Beta Ratio is B2=200.

2. The air then passes through the desiccant stack; 90% or more of the water vapor is
removed from the air.

3. Finally the air passes through a second 2-micron filter before entering the reservoir.
Carbon fibers in the filter help reduce the potential of static spark.
Exception: Z-Series and M-Series

What Benefit Does the Customer Receive?

In most cases, industry has treated the problems of fluid contamination after the fact by
filtering the fluid, replacing the fluid prematurely, and rebuilding or replacing failed
components and stored products ALL AT A VERY HIGH COST!

Air Sentry® Breathers provide clean, dry air, which results in contamination-free fluid
that helps the equipment run smoother and lowers maintenance costs.

The Benefits Of Treating The Cause Of Abrasive And Corrosive Contaminations

Are:

1. Elimination of water contamination through the breather.

2. Removal of water contamination from the reservoir.

3. Prevention of rust and corrosion.

4. Increased oil life.

5. Improved lubricant performance.

6. Increased oil filter life.

7. Reduced abrasive wear.

8. Reduced rebuild/replacement costs.

9. Reliable production from equipment.

10. Reduced machine downtime.

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 The Benefits of Air Sentry® Breathers on Hydraulic Reservoirs and Gearboxes

1. Extends the life of the hydraulic fluids and lubricants.

2. Prevents condensation, which causes rust and free water.

3. Extends the life of the seals, valves, gears, and other system components.

4. Reduces additive depletion.

5. Prevents microbial growth.

The Benefits of Air Sentry® Breathers on Storage Tanks

1. Elimination of pollution to products stored in tanks, by drying and cleaning the air
before it enters the tank.

2. Eliminates corrosion inside the tank, by removing moisture before it enters the tank.

3. Minimizes the amount of particulates entering the tank by dual stage filtration.

4. Eliminates chemical reactions to the stored product in the tank by keeping out natural
change-agents.

The Benefits of Air Sentry® on Liquid Filled Transformers

1. Maintain high dielectric strength of insulating fluid by keeping it clean and dry

2. Reduces component corrosion.

3. Reduces arcing and shorting out.

The Benefits of Air Sentry® in Vacuum Chambers Are:

1. Reduced pump-down times.

2. Increased production rates

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 The Benefits of Air Sentry® in Battery Charging Applications

1. Neutralizes corrosive effects of sulfuric acid expelled during charging

2. Eliminates health hazard of sulfuric acid expelled during charging

3. Reduces potential of explosion by absorbing hydrogen gas expelled during charging

The Benefits of Air Sentry® for Fume and Odor Control

1. Activated Carbon Breathers remove fumes and odors from over 100 stored fluids

2. Remove objectionable and unpleasant odors from the workplace

3. Conform to regulations governing the release of certain fumes

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II. OPERATIONAL FEATURES

There are several groups of Air Sentry® breathers available for specific applications.
Disposable breathers for most reservoir, gearbox, transformer, and storage tank
applications; Mini Breathers for small gearbox and reservoir applications where space is
limited; Steel Breathers for applications where the breathers are subjected to physical
damage from other equipment; and the R-Series breather which is intended for
applications with continuous vibration. All of these are available with desiccant for water
vapor removal, carbon for fume removal, or a combination of both.

The four models in the group of Disposable Breathers satisfy most applications. The
operation of these units is typical of all Air Sentry® breathers.

Bi-Directional Air Flow – Air entering is cleaned and dried. Expelled air partially
regenerates the silica gel and “backflushes” the particulate filter to prolong the life of the
breather.

Durable Construction – Air Sentry® is manufactured from rugged ABS plastic and
impact-modified Plexiglas. The materials conform to all regulated toxicity standards.

Water Vapor Adsorbent – Silica gel is

chemically inert, non-toxic, non-deliquescent
and non-corrosive. The internal structure is
composed of interconnected microscopic pores
that adsorb up to 40% of its weight.

Color Indicator – When maximum adsorption

is reached, the silica gel turns from gold to dark
green to indicate that replacement of the
breather is required.

Anti-Static Filter System – The solid

contaminant filters are designed to reduce the
potential for explosion that exists in any dusty
environment.

Safety Sealed – Seals keep moisture from

entering the units until they are placed in
service. They are easily removed without tools
or sharp instruments.

Activated Carbon – As air is expelled from the tank, it passes through activated carbon,
which removes oil vapors, fumes, and odors. Available only on 1” slip fit or 1” Threaded
models.

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 PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS
D-Series Models D-100, D-101, D-102, D-103,D-104

Performance Specification
Nominal Air Flow Rating 35 CFM (990 1/min)
Equivalent of 262 gpm of fluid volume change
Solid Contaminant Filtration Level 2 micron, 100% efficiency @ 35 CFM air
flow
Solid Contaminant Filtration Surface area 20.6 in2/133 cm2
Operating Temperature Range -20° to 200°F / -28° to 93°C
Silica Gel: Adsorption Up to 40% of its weight of water
Lowest Operational Dew Point -100°F / -73°C
Chemical Resistance Resistant to alkalis, hydrocarbons, non-
oxidizing acids, salt water and mineral or
synthetic oils

The Air Flow Rating for all Air Sentry® Breathers is based on a Pressure Drop (ΔP) through
the Breather of not more than 1 p.s.i.

The Air Flow Rating for the Model D-104 Breather is 35 CFM.
The Air Flow Rating for the Model D-108 Breather is 100 CFM.
The Air Flow Rating for the Z-131, Z-132, Z-133, Z-134, and Z-135 Breathers are 10 CFM.
The Air Flow Rating for R-Series Breathers, Models R-100, R-101, R-102, R-111 is 35 CFM.
The Air Flow Rating for Model R-123 Breathers is 100CFM.
The Air Flow Rating for all X-Series Breathers is 35 CFM.
The Air Flow Rating for all XR-Series Breathers is 35 CFM.
Note: The Air Flow Rating for M-Series Breathers, In-Line Filter/Breathers, and all Activated
Carbon Breathers has different Air Flow Ratings – For any questions related to Air Flow, CFM,
GPM or sizing an Air Sentry breather, please check technical data sheets or contact Air Sentry.

The conversion formula for Air Flow and G.P.M. of Fluid Level Change in a tank or reservoir
is: 7.5 G.P.M. of Fluid Level Change in the tank produces 1 CFM of Air Flow.

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III. Installation Procedures

Air Sentry® Disposable Breather Installation Procedure

1. Remove AIR SENTRY® Breather from plastic bag.

2. Remove cap from the standpipe at the bottom of the Breather.

3. Remove Safety Seal from around the top of the Breather by pulling down on the tab.
Where available!

4. Mount the Breather on a tank or reservoir using the adapter best suited to the
application. The available selection of adapters is shown below.

The AIR SENTRY® Breather and adapter replace the standard breather cap.

The adapter does not need to be changed when installing a replacement Breather.

AIR SENTRY® Breathers are rated for 10 to 250 SCFM airflow. This is the equivalent
of 262 to 1,875 gallons per minute of fluid volume change within the reservoir. Other
AIR SENTRY® Breathers are available for applications requiring larger airflow capacity.

Adapters for Installing Air Sentry® Breathers

® ®
®

Flange Adapter Threaded Adapter Bayonet Adapter Spin-On Adapter

Model A-101 Model A-102 (1” MNPT) Model A-104 Model A-105 (1”-12 UNF)
Model A-103 (3/4” MNPT) Model A-10 (11/2”-16 UN)

These adapters are designed to satisfy most applications for breathers installed on new
reservoir or "in-the-field" applications. They do not need to be changed when installing
a replacement AIR SENTRY® Breather. The adapters are designed to accommodate
reservoirs that currently use breather caps, spin-on filter cartridges, or other breathers.

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 For any questions concerning the installation of an AIR SENTRY® Breather call
800-699-6318 or 972-771-1000.

IV. PRESENTATION MATERIALS

There are a variety of sales presentation materials to help you make a sales presentation
and obtain an order for Air Sentry® Breathers.

 Product Sales Brochures – Can be located on-line within each product category at
www.airsentry.net Brochures explain why the Air Sentry® Breathers are needed, how
they work, their features and benefits, and product specifications and selection
information. Additional Technical data is also available in the same area online.

 Interactive Training CD – CD includes Products, Technical Data, MSDS, Application

Pictures, FAQ’s and more… can be used with a laptop computer or projected on a
screen with a light book projector. Includes Power Point and Flash Sales
presentations.

 Printed Air Sentry Hand Book with detailed product information similar to CD are
available (On or after September 30th, 2007) at our current cost and will be sold in
specific quantities. Air Sentry version only, no private labeling of any Air Sentry
literature.

Key Points to Address During Your Presentation

1. For years people have been treating the symptoms of contamination, at a high cost in
labor and material.

2. Contaminants vary from water, dust, dirt, abrasives or corrosives.

3. The majority of these contaminants enter the equipment, the storage tank, or the
transformer through the vent or breather.

4. Such contamination has many detrimental effects on industrial equipment.

The most common are:

 Water contamination emulsifies lubricants, reduce their lubricating ability and

increase the formation of sludge and oxidation.

 Water condensation within equipment promotes corrosion.

 Very low concentrations of water contamination strip additives from the lubricant.
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  Dust and dirt combine with lubricants to form a catalyst for increased oxidation
rates.

 Dust and dirt contamination blocks oil filters and requires more frequent filter
replacement.

 Abrasive contaminants accelerate wear to all moving parts within the equipment.

 All of these forms of contamination require that the lubricant be changed more
frequently than is necessary.

5. Industry reaction has been to change oils very often, change filters too often, and
generally treat the symptoms of contamination.

6. Attempts at fitting paper element filters, or oil bath filters, as breathers are generally
ineffective. (Usual capacity is filtration to approximately 50 microns
(0.002”/0.05mm).

7. Neither paper element nor oil bath filters can prevent water contamination.

8. The cost of lubricant contamination is very high. Major costs incurred are:

 Equipment replacement parts (gears, bearings, pumps, valves).

 High volumes of replacement filters.
 High volumes of replacement lubricants.
 High labor costs and lost production.

Though these costs do not present themselves immediately, wear due to failure is a
gradual process, and by the time it becomes apparent the cost penalties are
irreversible.

9. Air Sentry® is manufactured using only materials that conform to health, safety, and
environmental regulations. Give customer a copy of Gold Silica Gel Press Release.
One of our competitor’s products contains PVC components. In Europe and certain
states PVC is not a disposable material

Some Helpful Tips When Qualifying and Closing Your Customers

 Ask the prospect which equipment in their plant is critical to the production
process (or which stored material is most subject to contamination).

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  Ask how much the rebuild/replacement costs are for gear units/hydraulic systems
and circulating systems in those areas (or annual cost of contaminated product).

 Ask them whether current maintenance expenditure is under pressure from

management.

 Relate the small unit costs of Air Sentry® Breathers to the large cost of individual
equipment repairs (or product losses).

 Recommend individual sizes and monitoring methods for a specific piece of

equipment.

 Promote sales in cases of six (6) breathers to ensure ample inventory.

V. WHERE TO SELL AIR SENTRY® BREATHERS

The Air Sentry® Contamination Control Breather is designed to protect any industrial or
commercial system that breathes in and expels air. Individual product lines have been
designed to meet the needs of most applications. Custom units can be engineered on
request. The following list was prepared to help you identify prospects and applications
where Air Sentry® Breathers should be used.

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 Type of Prospect Comment

Aluminum Extrusion forging and These operations are almost exclusively

rolling mills oriented to hydraulic equipment.

Appliance Manufacturers Stampings – look for large hydraulic presses

and some gearboxes.

Automotive Industries This industry is intensively equipped with

hydraulic machinery, gearboxes and robots.

Large Transformer and Switch Gear They use a large amount of insulating oil
Mfg. (transformer oil) that can get contaminated.
They often do rebuilding work and need to
reclaim oil.

Aerospace and High Tech Welding Most are performed in a vacuum, or other
Applications controlled atmosphere. Reduce pump-down
times / increase productivity with Air
Sentry®.

Day Tanks on Diesel Powered In almost every large operation, moisture

Generators contamination is a big problem because they
are seldom used.

Paper & Pulp Mills There are a lot of applications in these plants
for Air Sentry® breathers. Gearboxes, gear
reducers and hydraulics. Powerhouse
turbine lube oil and the lube oil systems for
dryers. The main lube system for the
calander stack drive bearing.

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 Type of Prospect Comments

Oil Drilling Industry Hydraulics on the mobile equipment,

. gearboxes. In areas in the South, and along
the coast, there are very humid conditions;
mobile equipment in the field is subject to
huge amounts of dust contamination

E.D.M. Die Making Electro-discharging machining is a high

metal removing process producing loss of
contaminated oil.

Food Processing Plants Wash down of equipment makes moisture a

real problem in hydraulic reservoirs and
gearboxes. This is one of the best places to
sell Air Sentry®.

Large Machine Shops Big users of petroleum based cutting oil.

Food Products; Oils, Grains, Syrups Particularly important during filling and
emptying operations.

Off-Road Vehicles Filtering moisture and dirt from air going to

differentials, transmissions, loader cylinders,
etc.

Automatic Screw Machine These are basically high production lathes

that often use petroleum based cutting oils.

Micronic filtration of the process stream.

Chemical & Petro-Chemical Plants Lube oil degassing and conditioning; turbine
and seal oil.

Moisture and dirt alters the fluid.

Acid and Chemical Storage

Water or dirt contamination results in loss of

Jet Fuel Storage at Large Airports entire product.

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 Type of Prospect Comments

Plastic Injection Molding Big user of hydraulic petroleum based

equipment. Usually requires higher air flow
breather like the model D-108.

Power Plants and Utilities Filtration application is on the Main Stream

Turbines, boilers, feed pumps and any
peaking units. Transformer oil treatment is
another obvious application.

" " " Distribution transformers are filled with oil

(insulating fluid). They usually incorporate
a breather cap or vent hole to breathe air in
and out as heating and cooling take place
due to demand load changes (switching). If
this oil is subjected to water or other
conductive material, arcing will occur which
leads to transformer failure.

Transformer Manufacturers For solving the same problem as described

above, transformer manufacturers are good
O.E.M. customer prospects.

Steam & Gas Turbine Manufacturers Paper mills, petro-chemical plants,

and Users refineries, and even distilleries are turbine
users. Offshore oil drilling platforms utilize
gas turbines for their main electrical
generating power source.

Steel Rolling Mills and Forge Plants A typical steel rolling mill has two stories of
hydraulic equipment beneath the roll stands.
They periodically contaminate this hydraulic
oil with water based rolling fluids. Air
Sentry® could prevent the contamination of
moisture that gets in through the breather
cap.

Wire Manufacturers Water base, oil base, and dry lubricants are
used in wire production.

Mining Companies They operate expensive hydraulically

powered equipment that is exposed to very
harsh environments. Air Sentry® Breathers
can also benefit enclosed gear cases, fuel
and oil storage tanks as well as all types of
mobile equipment.

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 V. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Why do I need this breather? My reservoir already has a vent cap.

STANDARD VENTS OR BREATHER CAPS DO NOT PREVENT THE MOST HARMFUL

ELEMENTS FROM ENTERING YOUR SYSTEM.

Most standard breather caps are intended to cover the filler opening on a tank or reservoir
to keep out rain and large solid particles. Most of these are only capable of stopping
particles of about 100 micron or larger. Studies have shown that to have a significant
effect on abrasive wear, particles of 10 micron or less must be kept out of the system. Air
Sentry® breathers remove particles of 2 micron and larger before they cause the silent
destruction of your equipment. Most importantly, standard filler/breather caps do not
remove airborne water vapor that causes chemical and physical changes resulting in loss
of additive performance, sludge, bacteria growth, and corrosion. Air Sentry® Breathers
remove water vapor before it enters the tank or reservoir.

I don’t see any water in my tank. Do I really need to pay for desiccant breather?

IT’S THERE, EVEN IF YOU DON’T SEE IT – AND IT’S COSTING YOU MONEY.

There are three states of water contamination in lubricants, hydraulic fluid, insulating oil,
etc.: DISOLVED WATER – these molecules are dispersed one-by-one throughout the
oil like humidity; EMULSIFIED WATER – these microscopic globules of water are
suspended in the oil like fog; FREE WATER – settles to the bottom of the tank like rain.
All forms of water are generators of other contamination: rust, sludge, acids, soot,
bacteria, varnish, and ice. All of these shorten the life of the oil or fluid and the
equipment serviced by it.

Why does it cost so much? Am I getting value for my expense?

THE RETURN ON INVESTMENT FOR AN AIR SENTRY® BREATHER IS VERY GOOD.

A major bearing manufacturer has stated that bearings can have an infinite life when
small particles are removed from the lubricant. Hydraulic fluid will last three, even four
times as long if water vapor is kept out of it. A power outage when a transformer fails is
staggering. An Air Sentry® model D-102 will hold up to a pint of water and will filter
out 2 micron abrasive particles. The price of a breather is well below the cost of
changing hydraulic fluid three times, or rebuilding a gearbox or cylinder, or having
electrical shorting in a transformer.

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 There are several Air Sentry® models; which size breather do I use?

THE SIZE OF THE TANK OR RESERVOIR DOES NOT DETERMINE THE MODEL OF
BREATHER TO USE.

The airflow BOTH IN AND OUT of the tank, reservoir, or gearbox determines
the model to choose. Two factors create airflow, they are: temperature variations
(which cause very low airflow rates), and fluid volume changes caused by the
stroking of hydraulic cylinders or by tanks being filled and emptied. The airflow
rating for each model is stated on the sales literature. We also state the equivalent
fluid volume change, which a customer is more likely to know. The formula for
the relationship between these two measurements is: 7.5 gpm (gallons per
minute) of fluid volume change creates one (1) cfm (cubic feet per minute) of
airflow.

The D-Series (D-100, D-101, D-102, D-103, D-104) are rated at 35 cfm airflow.
This is the amount of airflow created by 262 gpm of fluid level change. At this
airflow rate or fluid level change rate the pressure drop through these breathers
will be approximately 1 psi. Pressure drop is an important concern because if
there is too much pressure drop created by the resistance to airflow through the
breather, the sides of the tank will be subjected to stress and could fracture,
creating an implosion or explosion. Even though much larger volumes of airflow
can pass through the breather (creating high psi drops), we rate all our models at
the cmf that creates 1 psi, which is considered safe even for very thin walled
tanks.

In most cases but not all, the pressure drop rating for a group of products is based
on the size of the opening in the standpipe coming out of the bottom. Since Silica
Gel adds very little to the airflow resistance, all models with the same standpipe
size are rated at the same airflow. Therefore any of the “D” models can be used
for the same application, however, the tallest unit; the D-102 is the most
economical because it has more life (more silica gel) for the cost.
Exception: D-104, even though it has a 2” pipe it is only rated to 35CFM.

Because the mounting hole in the Mini Breathers (Z-131, Z-132, Z-133, Z-134, Z-
135) is smaller (½" female NPT), they are rated for 10 cfm (75 gpm).

For larger airflow requirements the D-108, which has a 2" standpipe opening, will
handle 100 cfm (750 gpm). Additional accommodations in the Top cap open air
flow as well. The model M-107 (Steel Breather) has a 3" standpipe and is rated at
300 cfm (2,250 gpm). The M-107 is the largest Air Flow currently available.
Multiple breathes on the same tank will allow for more air flow as well.

Theoretically you could put a Z-131 on a million-gallon tank if the user was only
drawing out 50 gallons per minute. Likewise, a D-108 would work fine on a
small gearbox, but who needs it? (Create your own mental picture for that one).
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 How long does a breather last?

“YOU CANNOT GIVE A CUSTOMER AN EXACT USEFUL LIFE FOR THE BREATHER”

The useful life of a breather is dependent on several variables. They are, in order of
importance, 1) Frequency of Breathing, 2) Quantity of Silica Gel in the breather,
3) Ambient humidity in the work area.

 Frequency of Breathing means how often a new batch of wet air passes through
the breather. Each time this happens water vapor is retained and the breather life
is shortened. Examples of the extremes would be a storage tank that has fluid
drawn out once a day; one load of water per day to be removed and retained in the
breather = long life. A hydraulic cylinder strokes every 30 seconds; each time a
new load of water to be removed and retained in the breather = short life.

 Quantity of Silica Gel; the water holding capacity of a breather is directly

proportional to the amount of silica gel in the breather. We have a chart that gives
the maximum water capacity for each Air Sentry® model. Our Cross Reference
documents also show the comparison to various Des-Case models.

 Ambient Humidity in the Work Area: Most users believe that the ambient
humidity is the major factor in the life of breather; however, humidity works for us
as well as against us. The amount of water a given volume of silica gel will hold
is a function of the humidity; as the humidity increases the efficiency of the silica
gel goes up, to approximately 40% of its own weight (see chart). Therefore as
each load of wet air passes through the breather the air with higher humidity brings
more water vapor to adsorb, but the silica gel can adsorb more at the higher
humidity level. The end result is a small decrease in the life of the breather at
higher work area humidity levels, but this is not as significant as the other two life
factors. In certain environments, such as paper mills or areas with steam present,
ambient has a more negative effect on the life of the breather; for this type of
unusual application we have the “X- Series” models which limit the intake of
ambient air.

 Additionally the existing contamination in a tank will cause the breather to turn
green from the bottom of the breather quicker than if the tank were full and
clean prior to installation.

Most breathers in industrial applications will last 3 to 6 months, if sized properly. Make
sure the customer is aware that the first breather put on a tank or reservoir that has been
in operation for a period of time will usually last a shorter time than subsequent breathers
because it has to dry the air leaving the reservoir as well as air coming in.

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 How much water does the Breather Hold?

The “Air Sentry® Maximum Water Capacity Chart by Model” shows how much water
vapor each Air Sentry® model holds under ideal conditions; ideal conditions are
approximately 70° F and 80% humidity, which, of course, seldom happens consistently.
At this combination of humidity and temperature the silica gel will hold approximately
40% of its own weight; therefore, the major factor in a given application is the quantity of
silica gel in the breather.

How do I know when the Breather has adsorbed all the water it can hold?

AIR SENTRY® GIVES AN EASY TO READ INDICATION WHEN IT IS SATURATED.

As the Air Sentry® adsorbs water the silica gel turns from gold to very dark blue/green.
Seeing a light green color throughout the gold is not a signal to replace the breather.
When all of the silica gel has changed color, to the very dark blue/green, the breather
should be replaced. A breather that still has even a small amount of gold color, or even
light green color, showing is just as good as a new breather. Use the color indicator
located on each breather as a guide for replacement.

Can the filter cloth become clogged?

THE PATENTED AIR SENTRY® PARTICLE FILTER IS SELF-CLEANING.

In a typical industrial application, it is unlikely that the 2-micron filter cloth will
become clogged before the breather has reached its full capacity of water. The
filter cloth is patented knit polyester with the two sides made differently. The
side that is placed in the up position in the breather is knitted with a loose pile
surface that closes to 2-micron when hit by the incoming air. When air is
expelled from the tank it goes back through the filter and the knit opens back up
(loose) throwing off the particles collected on the top surface. In the filter
industry this is called “backflushing”. These particles flow out of the breather
with the expelled air creating a “self-cleaning” process.
In extreme situation such as breathers being constantly covered up with dust and a
customer is concerned, the Air Sentry® “C” series is available with a 25-micron
filter cloth. Not available in every breather we make. An easier, available version
is the X-Series. We designed and sell the X-Series Breathers that keep dust out
until there is air flow required. These X-Series breathers can be periodically
inspected by unscrewing the top cap to check for dust build up.

How do I dispose of a used Air Sentry® Breather?

ALWAYS CHECK LOCAL REGULATIONS FOR SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL.

Air Sentry® breathers are manufactured with all materials that can be disposed of
as solid waste as defined by local regulations. However, if a breather is used on a
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 tank that contains regulated fluids, the breather must be disposed of in the same
manner as required for those fluids.

Can I wash equipment the breather is sitting on?

Yes. Water will not enter the breather unless you spray water directly upwards
into the top cap of the Air Sentry® breather. They are designed so that water
cannot enter the breather under normal conditions. Unlike competitive breathers,
normal splashing of fluids will not enter the breather. Washing equipment is safe
and will not reduce the breather life.

Will the breather break if I drop it?

It is possible, but not likely. Our breathers are made of rugged ABS plastic caps
and a high impact resistant acrylic tube, adhesively welded together. While they
are sturdy enough to withstand most environments, the acrylic tube can crack if
dropped from significant height onto a shop floor. If the tube cracks or breaks,
solid particles and water can enter the breather through the crack. It is best to
replace any breather that is cracked or broken.

We also offer our Steel Breather line of Contamination Control Breathers for
harsh environments. The outer components of these breathers are made of steel
and they are able to withstand extreme abuse.

Can I replace the silica gel myself once it has changed color? OR Can the silica gel be
dried and reused?

With the exception of the Steel Breathers you cannot replace the silica gel. The
Air Sentry® breathers are designed so you cannot remove the top or bottom cap
without breaking the breather. This is a safety precaution to keep silica gel beads
from spilling and to assure that particles and water vapor cannot enter the unit
except where required.

The Steel Breathers have a replaceable bag of silica gel. This is accomplished by
simply removing the wing nut and the top cap. The silica gel in the bag can be
regenerated, but we do not believe that this is economical for the user. It requires
heating the loose silica gel at approximately 300° F for 3 to 4 hours.

Why are so many adapters available?

The wide variety of applications for breathers requires us to make installation for
our distributors and customers as easy as possible. (1) A sales sheet describes the
application for each of the adapters for the D-Series models. (2) Standard fittings
are available to adapt the Mini Breathers to many different male or female
connections. (3) The Splash SentryTM adapters are designed for off-road Steel

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 Breather applications where fluid might be splashed into the breather. (4) A sales
sheet describes a typical application for the Bypass adapter.

Can a breather be mounted in any position, vertical, horizontal or on an angle?

Breathers should be mounted in the vertical position, or at least no more than a

45º angle. Even though the Air Sentry® Breathers are vibrated during assembly to
assure maximum filling, the silica gel settles during shipping, creating an air
passage above it when the unit is in the horizontal position. Air, like people, takes
the path of least resistance, and in this case it would miss the silica gel and would
enter the tank undried.

Must a breather be mounted on the tank/reservoir or can it be mounted

remotely?

BREATHERS CAN BE MOUNTED REMOTE FROM THE TANK OR

RESERVOIR.

In many applications it is desirable to mount the breather away from the tank for
better visibility or better access for changing the units. Remote mounting can be
accomplished using tubing or pipes for the air to flow from the breather to the tank.
Care must be taken to insure that there is no airflow obstruction in the line and that
there are no air leaks after the clean dry air has left the breather. Piping can also be
used to achieve a vertical mounting position for the breather where space
limitations exist on the tank or reservoir.

I have a down stream filter already. Do I need both this and a breather?

THEY ARE BOTH IMPORTANT PARTS OF A CONTAMINATION CONTROL

SYSTEM.

Harmful contaminants, both abrasive particles and water, enter an enclosed

system from three sources; Built In – this is debris from manufacturing and
service of the equipment. It includes dirt and dust, burrs, contaminated fluids,
etc.; Generated – such as mechanical wear, additive precipitation, hose fibers,
etc.; Ingested – which enters the tank or reservoir from the atmosphere. The
breather prevents the ingested material from entering the tank and causing harm to
the fluids and the equipment. The down stream filter removes contaminants that
are already in the system before they do additional harm.

Can I use an Air Sentry® on my mobile equipment? It’s a pretty rough

environment!

AIR SENTRY® BREATHERS ARE DESIGNED FOR RUGGED

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 ENVIRONMENTS.

Two groups of Air Sentry® products are designed for these applications. The
“R-Series” breathers were designed in cooperation with a major U.S. railroad for
applications with severe vibration. There is a metal reinforcing plate in the
bottom cap and the connection to the reservoir is made with a steel pipe nipple.
The Steel Breathers are designed for applications where the units may be used as
a step to enter a cab or hit by flying objects or other equipment. They are
designed with a 16 gage steel body.

Can I use my Air Sentry® Breather outdoors in cold or hot conditions?

YES, AIR SENTRY®BREATHERS ARE DESIGNED FOR USE IN

TEMPERATURESRANGING FROM –20ºF to 200ºF.

Is the gold colored silica gel a safe and effective product?

YES, SILICA GEL IS THE BEST WATER ADSORBING MATERIAL FOR USE IN
INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS. THE GOLD COLOR CHANGING DYE IS NOW
USED BY MOST MAJOR SUPPLIERS OF DESICCANT BREATHERS.

In July, 2000, the responsible authorities in the European Union implemented a

directive classifying the blue dye previously used in silica gel as a potentially
hazardous material. The Air Sentry® engineering team worked with our supplier
of silica gel, and with the National Chemical Emergency Centre in England, to
find a safe alternative that provided equal, or better, performance characteristics.
A copy of the NCEC report is available. We began shipping Air Sentry®
Breathers containing gold silica gel worldwide in mid-2001.

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