Why You Need An Air Compressor Dryer

An air compressor dryer is a worthwhile investment where clean dry air is an important factor in any process where contaminants of any kind  can compromise your product. Where these type of contaminants can affect the end quality or anywhere in the process makes it critical to install a compressor dryer. The air compressor dryer can be used in a range of compressor equipment from small shop systems to very large industrial applications.

Air cmpressors run in dry air conditions, high humidity and different levels of air pollution both indoors and out. As compressors run the compressed air concentrates water vapor and contaminants from atmospheric air and raises the dew point. That leads to condensation within pipes as the compressed air cools downstream of the compressor.

Damage from these elements causes corrosion of the supporting piping and other connected equipment. With an air compressor dryer air tools will have a longer life expectancy. When used in cold environments freezing of pipes and air lines presents it's own set of problems.

Desiccant System The Most Widely Used Air Compressor Dryer.

The compressed air passes through a filtering system filled with silica gel or other vapor absorbing media. The object being to lower the dew point to -40 C . This means the air is as dry as it would be at -40 C. 

Usually 2 cylinders with silica-gel are used one for drying the air, while the other cylinder is being regenerated, kind of an automatic system to ensure dry air without shutdown. Drying can be done in three ways. Heatless drying uses dry compressed air from the one cylinder to dry the silica, separate hot air blowers in the system or heat of compression. This can only be used with an oil free compressor.

Membrane Dryer Industrial Applications

Mainly used in manufacturing or other industrial applications A dehumidication membrane that removes water vapor from compressed air. Some uses are for drying pneumatic components, air bearings, air spindles, medical equipment, air guns and pneumatic brakes for vehicles & trains and industrial painting.

Refrigerated Dryer

Refrigeration dryers use a typical set up consisting of two heat exchangers, one for air-to-air and one for air to refrigeration. The system works by using the cold outgoing air to cool down the hot incoming air with the benefit of reducing the size of compressor required. At the same time the increase in the temperature of outgoing air prevents re-condensation.

As of the year 2000, most manufacturers started producing an energy saving air compressor dryer. This type of dryer does not make use of a hot-gas by pass. These dryers can save up to 40% in total energy and can consume only 10% of the max power when idle. They employ digital control and sometimes variable speed compressors. A prefilter is often used upstream to remove lubricating oil and other contaminants from fouling the dryer heat exchangers.