In the world of manufacturing, there are three utilities that are considered essential to most processes: water, electricity and natural gas. That said, there is one more utility considered nearly as important as these. Compressed air, is considered the fourth utility in manufacturing.
What Is a Compressed Air Dryer?
A compressed air dryer is a machine that sucks in and significantly reduces the moisture content of ambient air. In manufacturing, combined compressed air dryers serve the vital role of rendering air more sanitary and conducive for workers and products alike. Depending on the moisture levels of a given environment, the use of a compressed air system can make all the difference between whether or not a production is even achievable.
The main difference between each dryer type is the agent placed inside the machine to dry the incoming air.
The Refrigerated Dryer
Out of all the combined compressed air dryers, the refrigerated dryer is the most popular and widespread type. True to its name, the refrigerated air dryer functions in a similar manner to home refrigerators in that a cooling process is employed that prevents moisture. The main difference is the objects or elements being cooled, because whereas a kitchen refrigerator cools and preserves perishable foods and beverages, a refrigerated air dryer maintains the quality of air in manufacturing plants.
In a refrigerated dryer, compressed air is cooled to around 35 degrees Fahrenheit. After the air has passed through the inlet valve, the moisture is extracted and drained, and the newly dried air is reheated by incoming air. At the end of each cycle, the outgoing compressed air has a dew point in the range of 35 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Overall, the process of the refrigerated dryer creates a more sanitary working environment that is also far more conducive for manufacturing.
In a non-cycling refrigerated dryer, the refrigerant perpetually circulates within the machine. This allows for quick responses to changes in the load, be it low or high densities of moisture within the incoming air. As such, factory environments with steamy engines can be de-moisturized in much the same way as low-moisture environments. The flow of the refrigerant is regulated with a bypass or unloader valve. In most units, the refrigerant is condensed by a heat exchanger after the compression process has completed a cycle.
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