Donaldson ultrafilter FF UltraPleat Coalescing Filter Element, PC Connection

Genuine Donaldson elements for ultrafilter housings, in the PC plug connection style. FF is the general purpose coalescing grade: the one that goes in the first coalescer after the aftercooler and does the bulk of the work, protecting the SMF stage behind it from being loaded to death by oil it was never meant to see.

Sizes and nominal flow

• FF 04/10 PC, 90 m3/h, element 1.65 in. diameter by 4.80 in. (S7500, Donaldson 1C131220-63)
• FF 05/20 PC, 180 m3/h, 2.05 in. by 5.98 in. (S7501, Donaldson 1C131232-63)
• FF 07/25 PC, 360 m3/h, 2.44 in. by 8.03 in. (S7502, Donaldson 1C131248-63)
• FF 10/30 PC, 720 m3/h, 3.39 in. by 11.02 in. (S7503, Donaldson 1C131264-63)
• FF 15/30 PC, 1,080 m3/h, 3.39 in. by 16.02 in. (S7504, Donaldson 1C131272-63)
• FF 20/30 PC, 1,440 m3/h, 3.39 in. by 20.63 in. (S7505, Donaldson 1C131280-63)

Flow ratings are at 7 bar g as published by Donaldson. In SCFM those work out to roughly 53, 106, 212, 424, 636 and 848, converted here rather than quoted.

FF performance

• 99.999 percent retention at 0.01 micron, 1 bar abs
• ISO 12500-3 at 8 bar abs: 98.5 percent in the 0.19 to 0.24 micron band, rising to 99.999 percent by 1.16 to 1.78 micron
• Oil: 99 percent retention per ISO 12500-1. Residual oil 0.1 mg/m3 or less at a 10 mg/m3 inlet, and 0.03 mg/m3 or less at a 3 mg/m3 inlet
• Integral 1 micron pre filter layer, borosilicate microfibre media
• 7 bar g, 149 F maximum

FF or SMF

FF first, SMF second. Put an SMF element in a housing taking raw aftercooler air and you will be buying another one shortly, because the fine grade has no bulk capacity. Run FF as the primary coalescer and follow it with SMF only where the application genuinely needs 0.01 mg/m3 residual oil, such as instrument air, food contact or a desiccant dryer inlet. Two stages cost more up front and far less over a year.

Getting the right one

Element size matches the housing, and PC is the connection style. Donaldson also builds these elements with a threaded end cap, and the two do not interchange. Check what came out before ordering, or quote the housing model. The 15/30 and 20/30 use a tie rod.

Changing them

Annually, or at the pressure drop the housing gauge calls out, whichever comes first. A coalescing element that is past due does not stop filtering in an obvious way; it just costs steadily more in energy as the drop climbs, and a saturated one can re entrain the oil it has already collected. Make sure the drain is working, because an element sitting in a bowl of condensate will not last the year.

Genuine Donaldson ultrafilter FF UltraPleat coalescing filter elements with PC plug connection, sizes 04/10 to 20/30, for compressed air oil removal.