Air Dryer Buyer's Guide
Ever heard the saying an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure?
Well, if you're an auto body professional who's dealt with runny paint or a facilities manager who's replaced rusty pneumatic tools, then you know that moisture build-up in your tanks can bring the operating procedure to a halt.
An air dryer also utilizes a filter for separating out water, along with any oil and dirt, to remove it from the system. Just be sure to match your dryer's capacity to the CFM of your air compressor.
Desiccant Dryers
Desiccant dryers move compressed air through a container commonly referred to as a "tower." The container is filled with absorbent material referred to as "desiccant."
They're available in two styles. The most common style is silica desiccant, but some are made using activated carbon. The main difference is that silica gel must be replaced once it's saturated and activated carbon can be regenerated.
Refrigerated Dryers
Refrigerated dryers use refrigeration similar to that of a home refrigerator to cool the air in order to condense the moisture and separate it from the compressed air.
Once the moisture is condensed into water, it will collect in a separator until it is drained out. It's similar to a portable dehumidifier you would use in your home.
Membrane Dryers
Using a 4-stage filtration system, these dryers first separate moisture and other contaminants from the compressed air.
The next step involves the membrane, which, through osmosis, removes any remaining moisture vapor. This results in clean, ultra-dry air with a significantly reduced dew point and relative humidity in the single digits.
How to Get Clean, Treated Air
Are you looking for ways to treat your compressed air? Whether you're using your compressor to apply a smooth coat of paint to an automobile or to power air tools, air treatment is an important part of doing the job right.
Removing water and contaminants from your compressed air can prolong the life of your air tools and keep your paints clean and dry so they apply more smoothly.
Check out our guide on how to design an air compressor system for a bodyshop as an example.
