Compressed Air Dryers

Having water in a compressed air system is very damaging to the entire system. Water in the system corrodes pipes, valves, and even causes outdoor airlines to freeze. If water exists in a compressed air system, a compressor dryer is required to remove the water. Three different stages of water exist in compressed air; they are liquid, vapour, or mist. There are different types of available air compressor dryers, and each of use specific functions to remove water from the compression system.

The most commonly used Compressed Air Dryer is a refrigerated one. Refrigerated Compressed Air Dryers have two separate functions, the first is to use the air being released to cool down the incoming hot air, and by increasing the temperature of the outgoing air prevents condensation. A newer set of compressors that are being produced with dryers integrated into the compressor. These have mixed reviews and have yet to gain popularity among users. While this is the primary type of air compressor dryer used, there are others available.

A deliquescent dryer is a pressure vessel that has a tablet or powder in the bottom that slowly dissolves into a liquid as it absorbs the water from the air compressor. Once all the power has been transformed into a liquid, the pressure vessel is emptied, and another tablet is inserted. A deliquescent Air Compressor Dryer is easy to use and works ideally for remote work sites, or for workers that moved around to various work sites. Another type of air compressor dryer is the also uses a pressure vessel but makes use of substances like silica gel. The purpose of the silica gel is to lower the temperature required for the water to condensate.

Each of this help gets rid of water from the compressed air, and each has their uses. It depends on the process that works best for each compressor and the environment the dryer will be utilized in. These dryers have a particular use for processes and tools that require dry air only. This includes some truck brake systems, air tools, and painting tools that require air compression.

Compressed Air Dryers are used for all type of gas plants including Nitrogen Plants, Oxygen Plants, N2O gas plants, hydrogen gas plants, etc. Dryers are mainly used for removing contaminated water & other particles from the compressed air. Industrial air dryers include various methods such as refrigerated dryers, desiccant dryers, adsorption dryers and membrane dryers for removing contaminants mainly water from the air.

Stages of industrial air dryer include single or multiple steps which are used to dry the air and other problems associated with the water. Air dryers can be expanded to atmospheric pressure, which immediately drops its dew point by 40 to 50 degrees F. The dew point depends on the temperature & humidity of the air coming into the compressor. Power requirement includes DC power, AC single phase, AC three phase, etc.

If compressed air applications are not used properly it might be adversely affected by contaminants, such as water, oil and dirt and results in the following: lower productivity, lower quality, increased maintenance, and higher operating costs.