Filtermart™ Adsorption Filters : Activated Alumina

FilterMart supplies activated alumina adsorption filters built to remove moisture and trace contaminants from compressed air, industrial gases, and hydrocarbon liquids, giving your system a reliable line of defense against these damaging elements.

The media are manufactured from aluminum oxide, giving them a highly porous structure with a dense network of microtunnels and an exceptionally high surface-area-to-mass ratio. That structure gives activated alumina a strong affinity for water molecules, letting it attract and hold moisture through physical adsorption without breaking down chemically. Because the process is physical rather than chemical, the media holds up across repeated adsorption cycles instead of degrading after one pass.

We stock activated alumina filters for industrial filtration jobs where conventional particle filtration alone doesn't cut it. Elements are available across multiple sizes and flow rates, giving you the flexibility to match filtration equipment to your exact process needs from oil reclamation to aviation fuel treatment to general gas drying.

Applications for Activated Alumina Filters

Activated alumina elements are widely used across air dryers, gas drying systems, and turbine oil applications, making them a versatile fit for many industrial processes.

Compressed Air Systems

Strips moisture out of the airflow, protecting pipework from corrosion and cutting the risk of freeze-ups during cold-weather operation, especially important where compressed air feeds pneumatic tools, control instrumentation, or moisture-sensitive process equipment.

Gas Drying Systems

Pulls residual moisture out of the gas stream before it reaches sensitive downstream equipment, which is critical in natural gas processing, refrigerant drying, and other moisture-sensitive gas handling systems.

Oil Reclamation

Pulls corrosive acids out of used turbine and transformer oil, helping restore the fluid's dielectric properties and extending its usable service life, valuable anywhere maintaining fluid quality affects equipment reliability.

Whether you're running a compressed air network, drying process gas, or reclaiming turbine oil, our activated alumina filters give you a low-maintenance, dependable option built for tough industrial settings.

Find the Right Activated Alumina Filter Element

No two filtration systems have the same requirements, so the right activated alumina filter element comes down to your application, fluid type, contaminant load, flow rate, and equipment setup.

We stock activated alumina elements in both canister and bag configurations, spanning multiple sizes and flow rates, along with dual-media and custom-built options for applications that need a more tailored approach. Every element is engineered to deliver:

1. High crush strength, reducing the risk of premature failure under high-pressure conditions
2. Strong thermal stability, for consistent performance under high-temperature conditions
3. A consistent pore structure and particle size, for steady adsorption and predictable pressure drop
4. Clean, consistent flow across the filter's full service life, reducing unplanned downtime and protecting downstream systems

Looking for activated alumina filters for oil reclamation, aviation fuel filtration, or another hydrocarbon application? Our stock includes high-efficiency activated alumina replacements built to keep your system performing at its best.

Each element is checked against crush strength and pore-structure specifications before it ships, so what you receive matches the performance your process is built around.

Not Sure Which Element Fits Your System?

Send us your system specs, flow rate, fluid type, and contaminant load, and our filtration specialists will match you to the right activated alumina element, including canister, bag, dual-media, or custom-built options.

Browse the catalog to find your cartridge, or request a quote and we'll get back to you with pricing and lead time.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is activated alumina used for?

Activated alumina is primarily used to remove moisture and select contaminants from compressed air, industrial gases, and hydrocarbon liquids. It's commonly found in air dryers, gas drying systems, and oil reclamation setups where consistent, low-maintenance adsorption is required.

How does activated alumina remove moisture?

Its porous structure gives it an extremely large internal surface area relative to its mass. Water molecules are drawn to and held on that surface through physical adsorption, a process that doesn't involve a chemical reaction, which is why the media can be reused across multiple cycles.

Can activated alumina filters be used in oil reclamation?

Yes. Activated alumina is widely used to pull corrosive acids out of used turbine and transformer oil, helping restore the fluid's dielectric properties and extending its usable service life.

How do I choose the right activated alumina filter element?

Selection depends on your application, fluid type, contaminant load, required flow rate, and existing equipment configuration. Elements are available in canister and bag configurations across multiple sizes, as well as dual-media and custom-built options for more specialized needs.

How long does an activated alumina filter element last?

Service life depends on contaminant load, flow rate, and operating conditions, but elements are engineered with high crush strength and thermal stability to maintain consistent performance and resist premature breakdown, even under high-pressure operation.