Compressed air dryers can be extremely useful for mitigating the damages caused to equipment and machinery by condensation. When it comes to buying Air Dryers PA individuals and businesses should consider their intended application in order to find the best product to meet their unique needs. All compressed air dryers fall into one of four categories, based the mechanisms by which they work: refrigerated, desiccant, chemical, and membrane. Below is a brief rundown of each one’s basic applications.
Refrigerated Dryers
These function by cooling down the air, condensing the water vapor and pulling it out of the surrounding environment. They can lower the dew point to about 36 degrees Fahrenheit, but do leave some water vapor in the air, even when functioning at optimal levels. This makes them impractical for situations where extremely water-sensitive machinery is being used or kept.
Desiccant Dryers
This type of dryer works by utilizing a bed made of a desiccant material, which can absorb water vapor. Air is passed over this bed until it reaches capacity, at which point the flow is switched over to a second, similar, bed while the first is regenerated. They can produce air at dew points as low as -40 degrees Fahrenheit, making them a good choice for situations where compressed air must be subjected to freezing conditions.
Chemical Dryers
Chemical dryers pass compressed air over a bed of chemicals that attract water vapor. When these become saturated, they are discarded. This type of dryer produces dew points as low as 27 degrees Fahrenheit, and require the installation of several filters to prevent the introduction of liquid water into the system, and stop chemical carryover from occurring.
Membrane Dryers
As they have no moving parts, and require no electrical supply, these dryers are ideal for remote areas. They work by using membrane micro-tubes that are designed to be selectively permeable. They can reduce dew points to around -40 degrees Fahrenheit, and function quite efficiently, although some compressed air must be redirected along the membrane’s outside surface.
Those interested in learning more about Air Dryers PA equipment owners can count on should consider Air Center Inc. Visit the website for more information.
