Compressed air is widely used in industries and has ample utility. It is simple to use, but complicated and costly to create. A typical compressed air system consists of compression, cooling, storage, and distribution equipments. The type of compressor most likely to be used for an industrial compressed air system depends largely on size, cost, and reliability requirements. The application norm of compressed air dryers involve climatic conditions, the degree of air dryness needed, cost and consistency.
Compressed air dryers are used for the removal of water and other contaminants from compressed air. One of the most effective ways of drying compressed air is to cool it, collect the moisture that condenses and finally heat the air to the ambient temperature. Compressed air dryers use tools such as refrigeration, desiccant adsorption, and membrane filtration to remove contaminants, particularly water, from the air. Besides, they also use technologies like membrane and in-line compressed air dryers. The air can be dried in single or multiple stages to prevent tool decomposition and other problems associated with water.
Anybody looking for compressed air dryers must take into consideration the drying capacity, pressure, dew point, motor power and operating temperature. Drying capacity is the maximum volume of air through dryer which is usually at 100 psig. The pressure should be at the highest level i.e. the maximum rated inlet pressure of dryer. Dew point is a measure of dryness; it describes how much water vapour is present and gives the measure as to how cold the compressed air can get before the formation of liquid water. Motor power is a reference value often used to approximate dryer size; pressure and capacity. The operating temperature is the full-required range of ambient operating temperature.
The compressed air dryers used in industries can be categorised into three main groups. They are as follows: Refrigerant dryers, Deliquescent desiccant dryers, Regenerative desiccant dryers. Refrigerant dryers cool the incoming air to a temperature or dew point of 1-3'C, causing a large portion of the water to condense and to be collected by a separator. The dew points achieved in deliquescent desiccant dryers are approximately 10'C below the temperature of the incoming air. The desiccant is usually derived from salt or chloride which has a stronger attraction for water than the compressed air being passed through it. The desiccant dissolves with the water and collects in the bottom of the tank which can be easily drained away. Regenerative. desiccant dryers use a desiccant such as silica gel to attract and absorb moisture from the air, achieving pressure dew points in the range of minus 40'C. These lower dew points guarantee that water never condenses in modern systems; even with the super-low temperatures achieved as the compressed air does its work.
Dryers are very much essential for the efficient functioning of compressed air system. Air systems without compressed air dryers severely lessen the longevity of any equipment they operate.
Many customers are often confused as to which kind of dryer for compressed air would work well for them. While some people prefer high-end brands, others may want to opt for more cost-effective solutions. No matter what your prerogative maybe you should consider the following aspects before purchasing any air dryer system.
Reputation of the brand
First and foremost, no matter which kind of dryer mechanism you are looking for, make sure the manufacturer enjoys a good reputation in the market. You may end up purchasing a lower end model at a cheaper rate but the downside to this is that your maintenance and repair costs may go up in the long term. Always select a brand, which is well versed with the compressed gas treatment domain. Most manufacturers of compressed air dryer mechanisms should enjoy a good level of customer service not just before the sale but also post sales as that is when it counts the most.
Feature sets
Once you have zeroed in on a particular brand, you want to explore the feature sets available in their range of air dryer mechanisms. Always opt for the latest heat transfer technology enabled systems as they deliver the best performance in the long-term. Make sure the dew point is as low as is possible and that it keeps all of the pneumatic equipment in top class condition. Look for a model, which offers maximum air drying capability. Only such a feature will help you maximize savings in terms of energy expenditures. Even if the compressed air dryer were to dry around 1000 SCFM you can expect a savings of at least 1000 USD each year, which is no small amount! Compared to a non-cyclic dryer, such models offer good cost-effectiveness. The proper cleansing of the compressed air is also crucial especially if you or any member of the family suffers from dust allergies. Always ask the retailer or the manufacturer if there are any special provisions to remove air-borne ingredients such as pollen etc. as these can trigger an asthma or respiratory attack.
Pricing
Price is almost always a major driver when considering to purchase an air drying system. However, it is also important not to go by merely price alone. You should also weigh the overall cost savings in the long term in comparison with the initial costs while purchasing the system. Most often, the more reputed the manufacturer is, the higher will be the cost of the dryer but at the same time efficiency and drying ability is much more, accounting for a large amount of electricity cost savings.
Both John Rogers & Irina M are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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