Baintlinc Home Generators

Compressor Dryer

Top 7 Refrigerated Air Dryer Troubleshooting Tips

 Refrigerated Air Dryer TROUBLE and usual REMEDY:                                  

1. Air by-pass valves open---close by-pass valves

2. Faulty drain allowing liquids downstream of the dryer---repair drain

3. High ambient temperatures---Add more ventilation

4. Condenser air flow restricted---remove restrictions

5. High compressor air delivery temperatures---install pre-cooler or install resized dryer for your operating conditions

6. Loss of refrigerant---call refrigeration repairman

7. Suction pressure abnormal---call refrigeration repairman 
 

How a Refrigerated Air Dryer Works

COMPRESSED AIR CIRCUIT

The refrigerated air dryer cools the incoming compressed air first in an air-to-air heat exchanger where the outgoing cool dry air pre-cools the hot incoming air and condenses some moisture out.

Then the incoming air enters an air-to-refrigerant heat exchanger where the air is cooled to 38º F by the liquid refrigerant.

This process causes the moisture to condense into liquid water and it is drained away.

The out going air then enters the air-to-air heat exchanger and is warmed up to keep the outside of pipes from sweating.

REFRIGERATION CIRCUIT

The refrigeration compressor pumps hot hi-pressure gas refrigerant (Freon) into the condenser which transfers the heat from the refrigerant gas to the ambient air as the gas condenses into a liquid.

The liquid refrigerant (Freon) is then metered to a cold low pressure where it enters the air-to-refrigerant heat exchanger and the heat from the hot compressed air is adsorbed into the cold refrigerant (Freon).

The refrigeration compressor then sucks low pressure hot gas refrigerant (Freon) into the refrigeration compressor and the cycle starts over again.

How does Water get in your compressed air?

Through you compressor inlet

Water vapor (humidity-moisture) enters the air system through the air compressor inlet air filter.
The air compressor sucks in approximately 7 cubic feet of atmospheric air at 0 psig, and that volume of air is compressed into 1 cubic feet of air at 100 psig.
The water vapor (humidity-moisture) that was in the 7 cubic feet of atmospheric air is now compressed into 1 cubic feet of compressed air. 

There are 3 forms of water in compressed air:

1. Liquid water
2. Aerosol (mist)
3. Vapor (gas)

Liquid water is easily removed by general purpose filters. They remove 98% of the liquid water and less than 10% water mist & 0% vapor. 

Water in Aerosol or Vapor form requires the use of a Compressed Air Dryer.

For every 50°F drop in compressed air temperature, the moisture holding capacity of air is reduced by 50%.
Drying prevents liquid water forming downstream where it can contaminate or damage the system causing operating problems, costly maintenance, and repairs.

What is "PRESSURE DEW POINT"?

Pressure Dew Point - For a given pressure, the temperature at which water VAPOR will begin to condense INTO liquid water.

What pressure dew point do I need?

First - here's some information to help you understand pressure dew point:

The lowest pressure dew point class for a refrigerated dryer is Class 4. Class 4 delivers a pressure dew point of +38°F.
Refrigerated dryers should not operate below the Class 4 range because the water vapor will freeze in the dryer.

The highest pressure dew point for a refrigerated dryer is Class 6. Class 6 delivers a pressure dew point of +50°F. 
The highest practical pressure dew point because higher pressure dew point causes condensation in downstream piping.  

Two Ways to Determine Pressure Dew Point:

1. Ask the Manufacturer what the pressure dew point (PDP) requirements are for your equipment.

2. You can CALCULATE PRESSURE DEW POINT TEMPERATURE you need.

Here's how:

1. Determine the lowest ambient temperature your compressed air piping system will be exposed to.
Check the location of air lines throughout air conditioned or unheated areas underground or between buildings.

(For example, your compressor and piping is inside your facility and the lowest air temperature it would ever be exposed to is 58ºF.)

2. Now you need to take that temperature number and lower it by 20º.

(For example, your 58ºF lowest ambient temperature -20º = (38º PDP NEEDED)

Determining the PRESSURE DEW POINT TEMPERATURE will help you determine the "dew point class" of the dryer you need. 

These "classifications" are industry standards for compressed air dryers as established by the ISO (International Organization for Standardization).

ISO 8573.1 AIR QUALITY CLASSES of PRESSURE DEW POINTS THAT APPLY TO REFRIGERATED AIR DRYERS:

Class 4 maximum pressure dew point +38 º F
Class 5 maximum pressure dew point +45 º F
Class 6 maximum pressure dew point +50 º F

The lower the dew point, the dryer the air. 

About the Author

Tommy McGuire
Owner of McGuire Air Compressors, Inc. “Real People with Real Air Compressor Experience”
Tommy McGuire has owned McGuire Air Compressors, located in a 10,000
square foot facility in the heart of Piedmont NC, since 1981. His knowledge of air
compressor systems & related equipment is extensive.
www.industrialaircompressors.biz
www.airdryers.biz

Itw Devilbiss DV130525 QC3 Filter and Dryer Units $234.49 DeVilbiss QC3 filter and dryer units are a great choice for light usage such as lowvolume shops restorers customizers and hobbyists. These QC3 filter and dryer units have 3stage filtering with a 0.1 micron rating. They produce clean oil and humidityfree air resulting in outstanding paint finishes. DeVilbiss CAMAIR QC3 filter and dryer units are designed for high performance filtration with only a 2 psi pressure drop. These units have quickchange filter cartridges for easy maintenance and include a bowl removal tool an inlet shutoff valve a regulator and gauge a humidity indicator and bowl drains with larger filter media and longerlife desiccant than disposable dryers these DeVilbiss QC3 filter and dryer units will get you the clean air you need to pull off that perfect finish. Regulator Included: Yes. Inlet Shut Off Valve Included: Yes. Gauge Included: Yes. Notes: Dryer unit needs to be installed a minium of 25 feet from the compressor.

512082P Dryer $39 512082P Dryer Rack

Dog in Dryer $39.99 Dog in Dryer - Wall Decal

Tumble-Dryer $19.99 Chaloner Woods Tumble-Dryer - Photographic Print

Ingersoll Rand IRTUP67.5150 7.5 HP Rotary Compressor $9987.3 7.5hp 25CFM 150 PSI 230160 80 gallon tank. Total Air System Package includes integrated refrigerated air dryer aftercooler and dual filter system. Quiet operation fully enclosed units operating at 65 dBA. Tankmounted Design for easy Installation Plug and Play . Nationwide Service Coverage. Dimension: 69 L x 66 W x 44 H.

Boot Dryer - Original Dryer $49.95 Peet Shoe Dryer Boot Dryer - Original Dryer Reliable and long-lasting, the Original PEET? Dryer was the very first to remove wet and sweat from footwear, for comfort and health. Features include: Eliminates odors caused by perspiration and bacteria Is ideal for all types of materials including leather, PVC, rubber, neoprene, canvas, synthetics, cloth, fleece, felt, micro and all modern fabrics Assures safe, completely silent operation Extends the life of footwear and gear 25 year warranty

BBE BenchPress Vintage Compressor $149.99 BBE BenchPress Vintage Compressor

Joemeek MC2 Stereo Compressor $279.99 Joemeek MC2 Stereo Compressor

dbx 160A Compressor/Limiter $429.95 dbx 160A Compressor/Limiter

Daking FET Compressor/Limiter $1445 Daking FET Compressor/Limiter

dbx 266xs Compressor/Gate $136.45 dbx 266xs Compressor/Gate

Air Compressor Kit $299.99 Air Compressor Kit;

Dbx 160A Compressor/Limiter $429.95 dbx 160A Compressor/Limiter

Dbx 266Xs Compressor/Gate $149.95 dbx 266xs Compressor/Gate

Bbe Benchpress Vintage Compressor $149.99 BBE BenchPress Vintage Compressor

Daking Fet Compressor/Limiter $1314.95 Daking FET Compressor/Limiter

Enzo Ciclone Hair Dryer $139.9 Enzo Ciclone Hair Dryer

TRESemme Dryer Gift Set $24.99 TRESemme Dryer Gift Set

Conair / 259N DRYER / 259N $43.91 Conair - 259N DRYER - 259N

Conair / 265D DRYER / 265D $32.2 Conair - 265D DRYER - 265D

Conair / 169PR DRYER / 169PR $31.22 Conair - 169PR DRYER - 169PR

530901010 Universal Dryer $19 Universal Dryer Cord

1875W Chrome Dryer $14.99 Revlon 1875W Chrome Dryer

Fred Dryer - Hunter $7.99 Fred Dryer - Hunter - Photo

Boot Dryer - Multi Dryer $99.95 Peet Shoe Dryer Boot Dryer - Multi Dryer The Multi PEET? Dryer doubles up on the legendary PEET drying capabilities to remove wet and sweat from two pair of footwear at once. Features include: Eliminates odors caused by perspiration and bacteria Is ideal for all types of materials including leather, PVC, rubber, neoprene, canvas, synthetics, cloth, fleece, felt, micro and all modern fabrics Assures safe, completely silent operation Extends the life of footwear and gear Comes with four (4) Footwear DryPorts to dry two pairs at once 25 year warranty

Compressor Volume $49 Download the Compressor Volume font for Mac or Windows in OpenType, TrueType or PostScript format.

Turbo Compressor Wheel $90.99 Turbo Compressor Wheel; Replacement Compressor Wheel For Stock Turbo;

Malekko Compressor Pedal $100 In Store Platinum Malekko Compressor Pedal

Used Behringhertube Compressor $99.99 In Store Used USED BEHRINGHERTUBE COMPRESSOR

Banks High-Boost Compressor Wheel $199.99 High-Boost Compressor Wheel;