Many industrial processes need clean, dry air- air free of moisture. The presence of water, dust, bacteria, microorganisms, and industrial acids have the potential to ruin products and foul processes. For example, food and beverage manufacturers often use air in their packaging processes.
By retaining moisture, the shelf life of the food items will be diminished. This is just but one example, but by removing moisture and contaminants, it will help protect your downstream equipment and reduce maintenance costs and downtime.
Even though it’s always ideal to consult your compressed air expert, eventually the decision often narrows down to the acceptable moisture content or dew point required for your application. Here are a few things you need to know between a desiccant air dryer and a refrigerated air dryer.
Refrigerated Air Dryers
Many industries tend to leverage refrigerated air dryers. These dryers are applied in general purpose compressed air applications. Refrigerated air dryers offer a pressure dew point. The cost of operation is typically lower compared to that of other drying technologies.
Saturated compressed air enters the system and is precooled in the air/air heat exchanger. Precooled air then moves downstream through the air/refrigerant heat exchanger. The heat exchanger’s vertical profile design reduce condensed moisture by nearly 99% using gravitational force.
Desiccant Air Dyers
Desiccant air dryers are used when applications require very dry compressed air or when the compressed air supply runs in cold environments. The key difference between a desiccant air dryer and a refrigerated dryer is that a desiccant dryer can achieve a much lower pressure dew point.
Desiccant dryers have a dual tower design in which both vessels are filled with desiccant material. Saturated, compressed air passes through vessel one where the desiccant adsorbs moisture, lowering the dew point to expel dry compressed air.
In some facilities, users may find they need both a refrigerated and desiccant air dryer, where a desiccant dryer is only needed for point-of-use applications or processes. A good example of this may be an auto body shop.
The shop would generally use a refrigerated air dryer tools and general air rises, but then they would use a desiccant air dryer for the paint booth, where clean, dry air is needed.
Be sure to factor in the pros and cons of a desiccant air dryer and refrigerated dryer before settling on the ideal one for your needs.
