Donaldson Ultrasorp Smart AKC 0005-0100 Carbon Adsorber

A modular carbon adsorber with UltraPleat pre- and afterfilters, 5 to 100 m3/h

The Donaldson Ultrasorp Smart AKC removes oil vapour and hydrocarbons from clean, dried compressed air or nitrogen using replaceable activated carbon cartridges. A built-in oil indicator shows the residual oil content at any time. The unit can be used on its own or connected in series.

It is a modular design: the filter modules are variable, the inlet and outlet connections can be rotated and the adsorber can be installed vertically or horizontally. Industries named in the sheet are industrial machinery, packaging and bottling, food processing, automotive and energy.

Technical specifications

Configuration by size

• 0005: Nominal flow m3/h 5; Pre/afterfilter UltraPleat 0035; Carbon cartridges per adsorber 1
• 0025: Nominal flow m3/h 25; Pre/afterfilter UltraPleat 0035; Carbon cartridges per adsorber 5
• 0035: Nominal flow m3/h 35; Pre/afterfilter UltraPleat 0070; Carbon cartridges per adsorber 2
• 0065: Nominal flow m3/h 65; Pre/afterfilter UltraPleat 0070; Carbon cartridges per adsorber 4
• 0100: Nominal flow m3/h 100; Pre/afterfilter UltraPleat 0120; Carbon cartridges per adsorber 6

Five of the ten sizes are shown. Weight and height are given in the dimension tables of the sheet for the Plus and Superplus versions.

How it works

Air passes the pre-filter (Superplus), where particles and condensate are removed and drained, then the carbon adsorbers, then an afterfilter that retains carbon dust and the oil indicator before the outlet. The compact carbon cartridges are replaced one by one, so little space is needed for service and the unit stays in the pipeline.

Size the adsorber with the correction factors in the sheet: at 25 C and 12 bar the factor is 1.47, so a 22 m3/h demand is treated as about 15 m3/h of nominal flow and gives type 0015. Appropriate pre-filtration and drying are required for the stated oil vapour limit, so confirm the inlet air condition before ordering.

Operating limits are 4 to 16 bar on types 0005 to 0025 and 4 to 12 bar on types 0035 to 0100, with media at up to 55 C and ambient between 4 and 50 C. The pressure dew point reference in the sheet is -40 C, so place the adsorber after a dryer that delivers that dew point. Check the built-in oil indicator on a regular schedule. Replacement cartridges are specified by type, so note the size on the nameplate when you order spares.

Key features

• Activated carbon adsorption: removes oil vapour and hydrocarbon odours that coalescing filters cannot catch, down to a residual oil vapour content of 0.003 mg/m³ or less under the stated conditions.
• Built-in oil indicator: gives a visual check of residual oil downstream, so cartridge change-out can be planned rather than guessed.
• Replaceable compact cartridges: cartridges are changed one by one with the housing left in the pipeline, which keeps service space and downtime small.
• Flexible installation: rotatable inlet and outlet connections and vertical or horizontal mounting make it easier to fit into an existing compressor room.
• Integrated filtration options: the Plus version adds an afterfilter, while Superplus adds both a pre-filter with condensate drain and an afterfilter, using Donaldson UltraPleat elements.
• Series connection: units can be combined when a higher flow or a longer service life is required.

Plus or Superplus: which version to choose

In both cases, carbon adsorbers are designed for oil vapour. Liquid oil and aerosols reaching the carbon shorten its life sharply, which is why the data sheet requires appropriate pre-filtration and drying.

Sizing steps

1. Establish the actual flow at the point of use, not the compressor nameplate figure alone.
2. Note the minimum operating pressure and the maximum inlet temperature at the adsorber.
3. Apply the correction factors from the data sheet to convert the actual flow into a nominal flow.
4. Select the smallest type whose nominal flow is equal to or greater than the corrected figure, observing the 4 to 16 bar or 4 to 12 bar pressure range for that size.
5. Check the connection size, 1/2 inch for the MINI types or 1 inch for the MIDI types, against the existing piping.

Inlet temperature has a strong effect on carbon performance: warmer air carries more oil vapour and reduces adsorption capacity. Always size on the worst realistic temperature, not an average day.

Operating in Oman and GCC compressor rooms

Compressor rooms in the Gulf often run hot in summer, and the ambient limit of 4 to 50 °C and the 55 °C media limit must both be respected. Good ventilation, an effective aftercooler and a dryer installed ahead of the adsorber keep the inlet air cool and dry, which protects the carbon and helps the unit reach its stated outlet quality. Where the room temperature approaches 50 °C, locate the adsorber in the coolest part of the room, away from compressor discharge air.

Dust is another regional factor. Fine dust drawn in by the compressor intake ends up as particulate load on the downstream filters, so maintaining the compressor intake filter and the pre-filter element is part of protecting the carbon stage. The unit is specified for indoor use at 0 to 2,000 m above sea level.

Maintenance routine

• Read the oil indicator at a fixed interval and record the result.
• Replace the activated carbon cartridges according to the data sheet guidance or earlier if the indicator shows breakthrough.
• Change UltraPleat pre- and afterfilter elements at the recommended intervals and check the condensate drain on Superplus units.
• Monitor dryer performance; a rise in dew point reduces the life of the carbon.
• Depressurise the housing fully before opening it for service.

What to include in your RFQ

• Required type (0005 to 0100) or the flow, minimum pressure and inlet temperature for sizing
• Version: Plus or Superplus
• Medium: compressed air or nitrogen
• Application and required air quality at the point of use
• Spare cartridges and filter elements needed for the first year

Documents and quotation

Interested in Ultrasorp Smart AKC 0005-0100? Send the full code and quantity. Please confirm the flow, operating pressure and inlet air condition using Donaldson Ultrasorp Smart AKC adsorber data sheet (F117097), attached to the page. Related: Filtration Systems.