Compressed air dryers are used to remove moisture and residual contaminates after its journey through the air compressor. While air compressors do have their own moisture and particle removing features, a dryer is used as a follow-up to that process to ensure that clean air is available at a desired pressure dew point.
The required pressure dew point dictates the type of air dryer that your facility needs.
Why are air dryers necessary?
Bacteria, corrosion, and mold all flourish in moist environments and can contaminate your air and equipment. By removing these impurities from your compressed air, an air dryer will benefit your applications and preserve your machinery and equipment.
Replacing equipment due to moisture damage is expensive and time consuming. Not to mention the damage imposed on the quality of your product.
Why might I need a desiccant dryer?
Desiccant air dryers are specifically designed for applications that require a low dew point; a requirement that may be necessary due to environmental factors (like particularly cold atmospheric temperatures) or special applications.
Some applications that may be particularly dependent on low dew points include:
- Pharmaceutical processes
- Chemical interactions
- Food processing
- Electronic manufacturing
- Other similarly sensitive applications
Desiccant dryers can reach pressure dew points as low as -100°F.
You have options
Your facility requirements are a guide to the type of desiccant dryer you should have. Take a look at the highlights for each subtype of desiccant dryer below:
Heatless
- 5 – 5000 SCFM
- Pressure dew points from -40°F to -100°F
- Purges 15% of rated capacity
- Operates on a 10-minute cycle
- Reliable, simple, inexpensive
Externally Heated
- 500 – 5000 SCFM
- Pressure dew points from -40°F to -100°F
- Purges 7% of rated capacity
- Operates on an 8-hour cycle
- Reliable & simple
Externally Heated Blow Purge
- 750 – 5000 SCFM
- Pressure dew point 0°F to -40°F
- No compressed air purge
- Can cause dew point spikes
- Efficient & saves energy
Heat of Compression
- Compatible with centrifugal & oil free screw compressors
- Varying dew points achievable between -100°F to 0°F
- No compressed air purge
- Highly efficient
- Compressor must stay fully loaded
If several types of desiccant dryers seem suitable in terms of dew point, consider these additional factors to narrow down the best fit for your facility:
- Air compressor type
- Air compressor size
- Budgeting criteria
- Efficiency needs
If you’re ever in doubt about the type of dryer that will work best with your compressed air system and facility, reach out to Blake & Pendleton! We will work with you to ensure that all of your compressed air and drying needs are met.
Contact our team here or give us a call at 1–800-333–6650!