Abstract: An oxidation-catalytic separation device for removing oil and volatile organic components from pressurized gases of a compression system has, proceeding from the inflow side of a tank which contains an oxidation catalyst, at least two chambers with different diameters and/or lengths. In this way, the chambers can also be matched to the desired main functions with respect to geometrical conditions, especially a first chamber with a smaller diameter being intended for aerosol separation, and a second chamber of greater diameter being intended for residual vapor catalysis. Even for variably operated compression systems, the pressurized gases can be reliably purified using this oxidation-catalytic separation device such that the required and desired degree of purity of a high-quality pressurized gas is obtained.

Abstract: A process and device for separating oil and volatile organic components from pressurized gases of a compression system in which, before oxidation-catalytic separation, a physical separation is performed to protect the oxidation-catalytic separator against a large amount of oil being entrained in a surge in the pressurized gases. The resulting oil which has been separated in this physical oil separation is then fed back into the pressurized gas flow which is flowing to oxidation-catalytic separation in metered amounts. This results in the oil concentration in the pressurized gas entering the oxidation-catalytic separation means being maintained such that oxidation-catalytic separation can be carried out effectively and under optimum operating conditions without there being an adverse effect on operation by oil concentrations which are suddenly high for an instant.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the degree of water saturation of the hygroscopic desiccant of a disposable drying cartridge as a function of the variation in the dielectric constant of the hygroscopic material. The invention takes the form of a tubular capacitor disposed in the mass of hygroscopic desiccant material proximate the outlet of the drying cartridge, and of appropriate circuits for measuring the level of saturation of the desiccant material and for operating alarm and safety devices. A removable plug provides access to the cartridge mounted in a casing. The plug has a pair of electrical contacts acting to biasing position the cartridge in the casing and provide effective electrical contact with the capacitor.