Anyone who is considering the purchase of compressed air vacuums will also need to consider the compressed air filters. Compressed air vacuums are typically meant to be both a wet vacuum and a dry vacuum, and in the industrial setting, this will take a lot of air filtering. When the wet vacuum side compresses air, it creates wet and dirty air. When the dry vacuum side compresses air, it creates hot and dirty air. All of this requires a good filter.

Once the air leaves compressed air vacuums, it takes a bunch of junk and liquid with it, as well as vapor. Once the air leaves the wet and dry vacuum, the compressed air in the line cools and some of the vapor turns back into water. This is why it is necessary to have a heavy duty air filter for compressed air vacuums, because the compressor in the wet vacuum can't always remove the vapor. Water cold be coming out of the exhaust, thus negating the purpose of the wet and dry vacuum.

To avoid this, people should add additional compressed air filters to their industrial vacuums. Many standard compressed air filters have 5 micron filter elements. There are filters for compressed air vacuums with much finer elements, and there are others with elements that are coarser, allowing much larger particles through.

For industrial vacuums that are going to be used for more extensive air filtration, a micro-filter element may help. The finer element will plug up really quickly, which is why the additional filter housing is necessary for compressed air vacuums being used for more industrial purposes.