Collection: FSD Series

A compressed air water separator removes bulk liquid water and condensate from compressed air using centrifugal action. By removing free water before it reaches downstream equipment, it helps protect filters, desiccant air dryers, pneumatic tools, valves, cylinders, and production equipment.

Yes. A bulk liquid water separator should always be installed upstream of a desiccant air dryer whenever possible.

Removing liquid water before it reaches the dryer significantly extends desiccant life, improves dryer performance, reduces maintenance costs, and helps maintain a lower pressure dew point.

A standard centrifugal water separator removes liquid water and large liquid droplets, but it is not designed to remove oil aerosols or oil vapor.

If oil removal is required, install a coalescing filter downstream of the water separator.

Select a separator based on:

• Maximum compressed air flow (SCFM)
• Pipe size
• Operating pressure

The separator should be rated for at least your system's maximum air flow. When your application is close to the separator's rated capacity, choosing the next larger model can help minimize pressure drop and accommodate future expansion.

For maximum efficiency, install the separator:

• After the compressor aftercooler (if equipped)
• After the air receiver tank
• Before filters
• Before desiccant air dryers
• Before long compressed air distribution lines

Installing the separator where the air has had a chance to cool allows more moisture to condense and be removed.

Compressed air systems can generate surprisingly large amounts of condensate, especially in humid environments.

For example, a 100 HP compressor operating in warm, humid conditions can produce several gallons of water every hour. Without proper moisture removal, this water travels through the compressed air system and can damage downstream equipment.

A properly sized water separator creates very little pressure drop.

Choosing the correct separator size helps maintain airflow while efficiently removing condensate. An undersized separator may create unnecessary restriction.

No.

A bulk liquid water separator removes free liquid water, but moisture in the form of water vapor remains in the compressed air.

Applications requiring dry compressed air—such as paint spraying, instrumentation, plasma cutting, laser cutting, food processing, pharmaceuticals, or outdoor piping—typically require a desiccant air dryer installed after the water separator.

Yes, provided it is protected from freezing temperatures and installed according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

If condensate can freeze, appropriate freeze protection or a heated enclosure should be considered.

If equipped with a manual drain, condensate should be drained regularly to prevent water accumulation.

For continuous industrial operation, an automatic condensate drain is recommended to ensure reliable moisture removal without operator intervention.

A water separator removes bulk liquid water using centrifugal action.

A compressed air filter removes solid particles and oil aerosols.

For maximum protection, a compressed air system typically uses both:

1. Bulk liquid water separator
2. Coalescing filter
3. Desiccant air dryer (when low dew point air is required)

Installing a water separator helps:

• Remove bulk liquid water before it reaches downstream equipment
• Extend the life of filters and desiccant dryers
• Reduce corrosion in compressed air piping
• Protect pneumatic equipment and production machinery
• Improve paint and coating quality
• Reduce maintenance costs
• Improve overall compressed air system reliability

Maximum Air Flow - Recommended Model
Up to 45 SCFM - FSD-45-W
Up to 85 SCFM - FSD-85-W
Up to 185 SCFM - FSD-185-W
Up to 375 SCFM - FSD-375-W
Up to 515 SCFM - FSD-515-W

If your airflow falls between two models or you anticipate future expansion, selecting the next larger separator is generally recommended.