What is an FRL? – Filter Regulator Lubricator
Air leaving a compressor is hot, dirty, and wet, which can harm and shorten the lifespan of downstream equipment, such as valves and cylinders. Before the air can be used, it needs to be cleaned and lubricated. That’s where an FRL comes in! An FRL combines a filter, regulator, and lubricator into one unit to keep air compressor systems in optimal working condition.
FRL Components
An FRL is comprised of three primary components namely; airline filter, pressure regulator and lubricator.
Each of these individual components has its own role, supporting the larger air compressor system. We will explain more about these roles in the following sections.
Airline filters: An airline filter cleans compressed air. It strains the air, traps solid particles and separates liquids (water, oil) entrained in the compressed air. Filters are installed in the air line upstream of regulators, lubricators, directional control valves, and air driven devices like cylinders and air motors. Airline filters remove contaminants from pneumatic systems and they prevent damage to equipment and reduce production losses due to contaminant-related downtime.
Pressure regulators: Pressure regulators reduce and control air pressure in compressed air systems, including rotary screw air compressors. Regulators are also frequently referred to as PRVs (pressure reducing valves).
Optimally, a pressure regulator maintains a constant output pressure regardless of variations in the input pressure and downstream flow requirements. In practice, output pressure is influenced to some degree by variations in primary pressure and flow.
Lubricator: A lubricator adds controlled quantities of tool oil into a compressed air system to reduce the friction of moving components. Most air tools, cylinders, valves, air motors, and other air driven equipment require lubrication to extend their useful li