The Comprehensive Donaldson Air Filter Housing Catalogue: Your Guide to Selection, Installation, and Maintenance​

Selecting the correct air filter housing is a critical decision for the performance, efficiency, and longevity of any compressed air or engine intake system. The Donaldson air filter housing catalogue encompasses a vast range of engineered solutions designed to protect valuable equipment from harmful contaminants in virtually any environment or application. This definitive guide serves as your practical roadmap to navigating Donaldson's extensive offerings, providing clear, actionable information to help you understand the different housing types, their specific applications, key features, and best practices for selection, installation, and maintenance. By matching the right Donaldson housing to your system's requirements, you ensure optimal air filtration, reduced operational costs, and maximum equipment protection.

​Understanding Air Filter Housings and Their Critical Role​

An air filter housing is far more than a simple metal or plastic canister. It is a precision-engineered component that securely contains the filter element and manages the flow of air through the system. Its primary functions are to create a sealed environment that forces all intake air through the filter media, to protect the filter from physical damage and weather, and to facilitate easy and safe element change-outs. A poorly designed or incorrectly specified housing can lead to a host of problems, including filter bypass (unfiltered air entering the engine or compressor), increased pressure drop, premature filter clogging, and ultimately, costly equipment damage. Donaldson housings are built to prevent these issues, featuring robust construction, reliable sealing surfaces, and designs that promote even air distribution across the filter media.

​Navigating the Donaldson Air Filter Housing Product Lines​

Donaldson's catalogue is organized to address the distinct needs of different industries and system types. Understanding these broad categories is the first step in identifying the correct housing.

• ​Compressed Air Purification Housings:​​ This segment includes housings for refrigerant dryers, desiccant dryers, and particulate filters used in plant air systems. These housings are typically designed for vertical or horizontal installation in pipelines and are rated for specific pressures and flow rates. Common series include the DML and DFL housings for general filtration and the PD and BD series for high-efficiency coalescing filters. They often feature clear polycarbonate bowls (for liquid-holding applications) or metal bowls, with automatic or manual drain options. Selection depends on air quality classes (e.g., ISO 8573-1), flow capacity (SCFM), and operating pressure (PSI).

• ​Industrial Dust Collection Housings:​​ For ambient air filtration in manufacturing facilities, Donaldson offers housings for dust collectors like the Downflo® Evolution (DFE) cartridge units. These housings are large, structural enclosures that hold multiple filter cartridges. They are access points for maintenance and are designed with features like safety V-ring seals and quick-release clamps to ensure a tight seal during operation and safe access during service. The selection here is typically integrated into the choice of the complete dust collector unit, based on the type and volume of dust being collected.

• ​Intake Systems for Engines and Machinery:​​ This is a vast category covering engines for construction, agriculture, power generation, and trucks. Donaldson housings in this sector range from simple cylindrical canisters for smaller engines to complex multi-stage housings for heavy-duty machinery. Key product lines include the POWERCELL® MMD (Modular Media Design) housings, which integrate the filter and housing into a single unit, and the Endurance™ and DuraPac™ housings for primary air filtration. These are rated by their efficiency, dust-holding capacity, and air flow performance. Severe-duty and marine-rated housings with specialized coatings for corrosive environments are a significant part of this catalogue.

• ​Gas Turbine Intake Housings:​​ For power generation and marine propulsion, Donaldson designs elaborate, multi-bank filter housings that are part of a complete turbine intake system. These are custom-engineered assemblies that can include weather hoods, inertial separators, and multiple stages of high-efficiency filter banks within a single housing structure. They are engineered for extremely low pressure drop, high moisture removal, and long service intervals in demanding coastal or desert environments.

​Key Specifications and Features to Evaluate​

When reviewing the Donaldson catalogue, focus on these critical specifications and design features to make an informed choice.

• ​Material of Construction:​​ Housings are primarily made from carbon steel (often with powder-coat or specialized paint finishes for corrosion resistance), stainless steel (for highly corrosive or sanitary applications), or engineered plastics (for lightweight or certain chemical resistances). The environment (outdoor, chemical exposure, salt air) dictates the necessary material.

• ​Pressure Rating and Temperature Range:​​ Every housing has a maximum working pressure (MWP) and a specified temperature operating range. It is mandatory to select a housing whose MWP exceeds the maximum possible system pressure, including any surge pressures. Similarly, the housing material and seals must be compatible with the intake air temperature.

• ​Seal Type and Design:​​ The integrity of the filter seal is paramount. Donaldson housings employ various reliable sealing methods, such as radial seals (where the seal is compressed around the circumference of the element) or face seals (where the seal is compressed on a flat gasket surface). The housing's seal design—whether a knife-edge, flat gasket surface, or V-ring—must perfectly match the seal type on the intended replacement filter element.

• ​Inlet and Outlet Configuration:​​ Housings come with threaded (NPT, BSPP), flanged, or hose connection options. The size and orientation of these ports must match your existing piping or ducting. The direction of airflow (top-in/bottom-out, side-in/side-out) is also a critical layout consideration.

• ​Maintenance and Safety Features:​​ Look for user-centric features. Safety elements are critical for housings that operate under pressure; a properly secured bowl or cover that cannot be opened under pressure is essential. Ease of service is another factor, such as quick-release clamps instead of multiple bolts, clear bowls for condensate level inspection, integrated differential pressure gauges or gauge ports, and ergonomic design for easier filter changes.

​Step-by-Step Guide to Selecting the Right Housing​

A systematic approach ensures the best match for your application.

1. ​Define the Application:​​ Identify the equipment (e.g., 100 HP rotary screw compressor, Tier 4 final diesel generator, CNC machining center dust source). Determine the primary contaminant (oil aerosol, water, dust particles, pollen) and the environmental conditions (indoor, outdoor, high humidity, saline atmosphere).

2. ​Establish Performance Requirements:​​ Calculate or obtain the maximum air flow rate (in SCFM or CFM) and the operating pressure. Determine the required filtration efficiency (e.g., need for coalescing oil removal to 0.01 ppm, or particulate removal to 0.3 microns).

3. ​Consult the Catalogue and Specification Sheets:​​ Using the application and performance data, narrow down the relevant Donaldson product line. Study the individual product data sheets (PDS) for specific models. These sheets provide detailed dimensional drawings, flow vs. pressure drop curves, and part numbers for complete assemblies and spare parts (like seal kits and bowls).

4. ​Consider Installation and Space Constraints:​​ Measure the available physical space. Account for the housing dimensions plus the necessary clearance for filter removal and maintenance. Verify the connection sizes and orientations match your piping layout.

5. ​Plan for Maintenance:​​ Choose a housing that makes routine service straightforward. Ensure the replacement filter elements, seal kits, and other consumables (often sold separately) are readily available. Consider housings that allow for safe, tool-less element changes if frequent service is anticipated.

​Installation Best Practices for Optimal Performance​

Correct installation is as important as correct selection.

• ​Location:​​ Install the housing in a cool, dry, and accessible location if possible. Avoid areas with excessive ambient dust or direct exposure to rain/sun if unprotected. Ensure the housing is mounted securely according to the instructions, using appropriate brackets or supports to avoid stress on the piping.

• ​Piping Connections:​​ Use proper thread sealant (where applicable) and avoid overtightening. For flanged connections, ensure gaskets are properly seated and aligned. Support inlet and outlet piping independently to prevent mechanical strain on the housing ports.

• ​Pre-Installation Check:​​ Before installing the filter element, inspect the housing interior for any shipping debris, damage to the seal surface, or moisture. Wipe it clean with a lint-free cloth. Ensure the old seal is completely removed from the sealing surface.

• ​Filter Element Installation:​​ Carefully install the new, genuine Donaldson filter cartridge according to the marked flow direction arrows. Hand-tighten spin-on elements; for cartridge elements, ensure the seal is properly seated and tighten the housing cover evenly and to the specified torque—overtightening can damage seals, while undertightening will cause leaks.

• ​Post-Installation:​​ After sealing the housing, check for leaks by pressurizing the system. Monitor the differential pressure gauge (if equipped) to establish a clean baseline pressure drop.

​Routine Maintenance and Troubleshooting​

Regular maintenance ensures system reliability and protects your equipment investment.

• ​Monitoring:​​ The most important maintenance task is regular monitoring of the differential pressure (ΔP) gauge. A rising ΔP indicates a loading filter. Change the element when it reaches the maximum recommended ΔP, not on a fixed time schedule.

• ​Element Change-Out:​​ Always depressurize the system completely before attempting to open any housing. Follow lock-out/tag-out procedures. Replace the primary filter element with a genuine Donaldson replacement. It is often recommended to replace the housing seal (O-ring, gasket) with every or every other element change to prevent leaks. Properly dispose of the used filter according to local regulations, especially if it contains oil or hazardous materials.

• ​Housing Inspection:​​ During element changes, inspect the housing interior for corrosion, debris buildup, or damage to the seal surface. Clean the interior if necessary. Check that drains (if present) are functioning.

• ​Common Issues and Solutions:​​

  • ​High Pressure Drop:​​ Caused by a clogged filter, incorrect (too fine) filter element, or excessive system flow. Verify the correct element is installed and that the flow rate is within housing specifications.
  • ​Leaks at Seal:​​ Caused by a damaged or missing housing seal, a damaged seal surface on the housing, improper installation, or a warped housing cover. Replace the seal, inspect for damage, and ensure the cover is tightened evenly and to specification.
  • ​Poor Equipment Performance:​​ Could indicate filter bypass due to a failed seal, a ruptured filter element, or the installation of a non-genuine filter that does not meet performance specifications. Always use certified Donaldson replacement parts.

​Conclusion: The Foundation of a Reliable System​

The Donaldson air filter housing catalogue provides a solution for nearly every industrial air filtration challenge. The housing is the foundational component that ensures your chosen filter can perform its job effectively. By investing the time to understand your system requirements, carefully matching them to the engineered specifications within Donaldson's product lines, and following proper installation and maintenance procedures, you build a foundation for clean, dry, and protected air. This proactive approach directly translates to reduced downtime, lower total operating costs through extended filter and equipment life, and the peace of mind that comes from relying on engineered components designed for durability and performance. Always refer to the official Donaldson product data sheets, technical manuals, and authorized distributors for the final specification and selection of any housing for your critical application.