Breathers.

Stop contamination at the source. The moment liquid is drawn from a tank, the ensuing vacuum pulls surrounding air inside. Unconditioned air introduces airborne particulates and water vapour, creating a breeding ground for sludge, rust, and microbiological contamination. Designed for demanding industrial environments, GO Industrial filtered breathers strip incoming air of dirt and humidity, preserving liquid purity and maximising tank longevity.

FAQs

Common questions answered.

The questions we hear most often about this range. Full knowledge base on our FAQ page.

  • What is a tank breather?

    Whenever fluid is pumped out of a tank, a vacuum is created inside the headspace. To balance this pressure differential, ambient air is pulled into the tank.

    Conversely, when the tank is refilled or when thermal expansion causes fluid levels to rise, air is forced out.

    Without a filtered breather, unfiltered displacement air draws in atmospheric dust, pollens, and water vapour. Over time, these contaminants lead to serious operational issues including:

    • Water Contamination: Causes oil emulsification, internal tank rust, and microbial growth in fuels.
    • Particulate Pollution: Introduces abrasive dirt particles that accelerate wear on downstream pumps, valves, and equipment.
    • Fluid Breakdown: Moisture and dirt speed up oxidation, shortening the usable lifespan of stored oils and chemical products.

    Filtered Breathers, from GO Industrial, actively trap microscopic dirt down to sub-micron levels and strip moisture from incoming air before it reaches your product, ensuring liquid purity and protecting the structural integrity of the tank.

  • How do I know when to change my Breather

    Knowing when to replace your tank breather comes down to monitoring visual indicators, system pressure feedback, and environmental exposure.

    Modern filtered breathers are equipped with restriction indicators—such as mechanical gauges, differential pressure pop-up buttons, or electronic LED service lights (often found on units like Donaldson T.R.A.P. breathers)—that trigger when particulate accumulation restricts airflow beyond acceptable limits.

    Beyond visual alerts, physical signs like noticeable oil weeping around seals, unusual pump cavitation during fluid delivery, or a visible buildup of dirt caked onto the filter housing indicate severe airflow restriction.

    As a best practice in demanding industrial, mining, or agricultural environments, breathers should be changed immediately upon an indicator alert or replaced during scheduled preventative maintenance cycles (typically every 6 to 12 months) to avoid pulling excessive vacuum pressure on your storage tank.

  • Can I install a breather myself?

    Yes. Most breathers thread directly into a 3/4 inch, 1 inch, 1.5 inch, or 3 inch BSP socket on the tank top. Identify the existing vent point, choose a breather with matching thread and orientation (vertical for static, horizontal-tolerant for mobile), wrap the threads with PTFE tape, and screw it in hand-tight then a quarter turn with a spanner. Check that the breather direction arrow (where present) points the right way. A first install takes ten minutes; replacement is faster.

Full guide

Choosing the Right Tank Breather

Selecting the correct tank breather isn’t just about matching thread sizes—it requires balancing fluid dynamics, ambient environmental threats, and operational demands. Installing an undersized or incorrectly rated breather can cause vacuum pull on pumps, structural stress on the tank, or accelerated fluid degradation.

Key Selection Factors

  • Airflow Capacity (CFM & Flow Rate): The breather must handle air inflow at a rate equal to or greater than the maximum fluid discharge rate. The breather must allow equivalent volumetric airflow without creating excess vacuum pressure inside the headspace.
  • Environmental Threats: For humid or outdoor locations, GO Filtered Breathers actively strip moisture from intake air without relying on traditional desiccant media—instead using a self-regenerating design that breathes out moisture during fluid displacement cycles. In high-dust environments like mining or agriculture, this system pairs with high-efficiency particulate media to keep dirt out of your tank.
  • Fluid Compatibility & Temperature: Solvent-based, acidic, or high-temperature fluids produce vapours that can break down standard breather plastics and adhesives. Ensure the housing, seals (e.g., Viton vs. Nitrile), and internal filtration media are chemically compatible with your specific product.
  • Maintenance & Serviceability: Look for units with integrated color-changing indicators or visual pressure indicators. In heavy washdown or highly polluted zones, consider breathers with check-valve technology that only open on demand to extend media lifespan.
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