What component collects water and dirt particles in an air filter?

The component that collects water and dirt particles in an air filter is the bowl. The bowl is designed to capture and hold the contaminants that are removed from the compressed air as it passes through the filter. This allows for effective separation of moisture and particulates from the air before it is used in pneumatic systems.

In an air filtration system, the bowl is typically positioned below the filter media, where the filtered air is directed upward. As air enters the filter, heavier particles and moisture are separated due to gravity and collected in the bowl. This prevents these impurities from entering the downstream system, which could lead to damage or inefficient operation.

Other components of an air filter, such as filter media, pre-filters, and cartridges, serve different roles in the filtration process. For instance, filter media refers to the material that physically traps dirt and particles, while a pre-filter is often used to capture larger particles before they reach the primary filter. A cartridge can be a specific type of filter that contains the filter media but doesn’t directly collect water. Each of these components plays a critical role in the overall filtration system, but the bowl specifically serves the function of collecting contaminants.