How to choose oil-free water lubrication air compressor for candy production
In the global food industry, the production of confectionery requires extremely high purity, safety and reliability of compressed air. Oil-Free Water-Lubricated Air Compressor has gradually become the mainstream choice in the industry because of its zero oil pollution risk, high cleanliness output and sustainability advantages. Based on ISO 8573-1, FDA, EHEDG and other international standards, combined with the requirements of candy production process, this paper systematically analyzes the technical parameter requirements, application value and comparative advantages of oil-free water lubrication air compressor.
Core Demand for Compressed Air in 1. Candy Production Process
candy production covers raw material mixing, molding, cooling, packaging and other key links, compressed air is widely used in:
- raw material conveying and mixing compressed air driven pneumatic mixing equipment, to avoid grease pollution syrup, pigment and other sensitive raw materials.
- Mold forming and demoulding: High pressure air is used for chocolate or soft candy demoulding. It is necessary to ensure that there is no oil residue to avoid surface defects of the product.
- Pneumatic packaging equipment: Compressed air in direct contact with confectionery is subject to food grade certification (e. g. ISO 8573-1 Class 0).
- Cooling and drying system: Compressed air is used for cooling tunnels or drying equipment. It needs stable gas supply and no oil vapor volatilization in high temperature environment.
International Standard Requirements:
- ISO 8573-1 Class 0: The highest air purity level, requiring oil content ≤ 0.01 mg/m.
- FDA 21 CFR 177.2600: Certified material safety in contact with food.
- EHEDG/3-A: Hygienic design standards for equipment to prevent microbial growth.
Guide for the selection of technical parameters for 2. oil-free water-lubricated air compressors
according to the candy production scenario, the following parameters need to be focused on:
| parameter Category | technical Standards | recommend range |
|---|---|---|
| exhaust volume (CFM/m³/min) | match the peak demand of production line, redundancy ≥ 20% | 10-500 m³/min (according to production line scale) |
| working pressure (Bar) | set according to equipment requirements, to be stable within ± 0.2 Bar fluctuation | 7-10 Bar |
| exhaust temperature (℃) | outlet temperature of aftercooler ≤ ambient temperature +10 ℃ (avoid excessive condensed water) | ≤ 40 ℃ |
| noise level (dB(A)) | OSHA/ISO 3744 compliant for food plant environments | ≤75 dB(A) |
| energy efficiency ratio (kW/m³/min) | ISO 1217 energy efficiency certification to reduce long-term operating costs | ≤0.15 kW/m³/min |
| material Certification | air contact parts to FDA/EU 1935/2004 approval | stainless Steel/Food Grade Polymer |
special requirements:
- water lubrication system: It is necessary to configure deionized water circulation device (conductivity ≤ 5 μS/cm) to prevent scale blockage.
- air dryness: Equipped with adsorption dryer (dew point ≤-40 ℃) to avoid moisture absorption and deterioration of sugar products.
- microbial control built-in UV-C UV sterilization module (ISO 22000 HACCP compliant).
3. do not use oil-free water lubrication air compressor potential risks
- oil pollution accident:
- the lubricating oil of the oil air compressor may enter the production line through the pipeline, causing the oil film, odor or microorganisms on the surface of the candy (such as the risk of Salmonella).
- Case: In 2018, the European Union announced that a brand of chocolate was recalled due to oil in compressed air, resulting in a direct loss of more than 3 million euros.
- Rising equipment maintenance costs:
- oil filters and oil and gas separators need to be replaced frequently (monthly cost increases by 15-20%).
- Oil vapor condensation after the corrosion of pneumatic components (such as solenoid valve life reduced by 50%).
- Compliance risk:
- unable to pass BRCGS/IFS food certification, restricting export market access.
4. the core benefits of oil-free water-lubricated air compressors
- zero pollution guarantee: Water lubrication technology is completely isolated from lubricating oil to meet the whole process of candy production without oil (Class 0 certification).
- Operational cost optimization:
- energy saving more than 30% (water lubrication friction coefficient is lower than oil lubrication);
- the maintenance period is extended to 8000 hours (there is no need to replace the oil filter and oil separator).
- brand value promotion:
- in line with the “clean label” (Clean Label) trend, enhance consumer trust;
- support corporate ESG goals (reduce hazardous waste oil treatment, reduce carbon emissions by 15-25%).
Comparative analysis of 5. oil-free vs. oil-lubricated air compressors
| contrast dimension | air compressor without oil and water lubrication | air compressor with oil |
|---|---|---|
| air quality | ISO 8573-1 Class 0 (oil content ≤ 0.01 mg/m ³) | Class 1-4 (oil content 0.1-5 mg/m ³) |
| energy consumption | efficient water circulation system with energy efficiency ratio as low as 0.12 kW/m³/min | oil system loss, energy efficiency ratio ≥ 0.18 kW/m³/min |
| maintenance costs | 40% lower annual maintenance costs | frequent replacement of oil filter and oil core is costly. |
| Applicable Scenarios | food, medicine and other clean areas | industrial manufacturing, non-contact scenarios |
| environmental friendliness | no oil pollution, waste water can be recycled | waste oil treatment to comply with EPA/REACH regulations |
6. Conclusion
in the production of candy, oil-free water lubrication air compressor is not only a compliance requirement, but also the core equipment to improve product quality and reduce long-term costs. Enterprises should choose suitable models according to the size of the production line, pressure requirements and dryness requirements, and give priority to ISO 8573-1 Class 0 certification and energy efficiency indicators. With the tightening of global food safety regulations, oil-free technology will become an important cornerstone of the sustainable development of the confectionery industry.