Dangers

• Coalescent filtering can be dangerous because both the electric and the mechanical versions rely on pressure and energy to remove water and other contaminates from the gas. If the filter shell is in poor condition, the vents are broken or not working properly or the tank becomes overly pressurized, it can result in an explosion. This type of explosion is rare as most filters are periodically maintained and replaced.
  
  

Clogging

• Because natural gas filters work to remove particles and other contaminates from natural gas; they are subject to clogging. If not properly maintained they can stop gas flow altogether which can cause dangerous build up and pressure in the natural gas lines. This clogging can be prevented by a simple periodic change of the filter cartridges.
  
  

Rust

• Natural gas filters are designed to be impervious to the elements; however, they are constantly exposed to rain, internal water exposure and even ground water. This can, over time cause the metal to weaken so that it is no longer suitable for filtering natural gas and can even become somewhat dangerous due to the fact that weakened metal is more subject to breakage and failing under pressure.
  
  

Improper Filtering

• The most common problems with a natural gas filter result when the filter is not working properly and does not remove all of the contaminates, or the natural gas is too contaminated for the filter to work properly, or the filter has not been maintained and cannot properly remove all contaminates. In each of these cases contaminates such as oil or hydrogen and in some cases even water remain in the natural gas.
  
  

Damage

• In some cases, natural gas filters are located in an area where they will receive damage. For example, there are often filters located on the back of a natural gas refrigerator. Damaged gas filters can become weakened and be a danger due to gas leakage. This type of damage is usually prevented by placing a filter in a protected area where it is not as exposed.