Even minute amounts of moisture in compressed air can ruin many industrial applications, especially if you’re working with metal or food products. A desiccator attached to your air compressor can eliminate most atmospheric moisture, improving the quality of your products and the efficiency of your entire operation. The following guide explores two popular designs: refrigerated and desiccant air dryers.

What Are Refrigerated Air Dryers?

As compressed air passes through the system, refrigerated dryers cool it to 33–40 degrees. At these temperatures, water vapor in the air condenses into a liquid that can be collected and expelled by a drain. Another unit heats the air back to room temperature before releasing it to prevent condensation that could introduce more moisture.

The Benefits of Refrigerated Air Dryers

While refrigerated air dryers are highly efficient, they won’t remove 100% of the water in the air. This makes them ideal for industrial applications in which some moisture is acceptable.

They also have much lower initial investment costs than other systems and require less maintenance. The reduced expense of refrigerated systems makes them one of the most popular air dryer technologies on the market.

How Desiccant Dryers Work

Instead of relying on temperature to remove moisture, desiccant dryers use towers containing activated alumina and molecular sieve-type desiccants. As air travels through the system, it passes through one of the towers, where the desiccant material absorbs atmospheric moisture. While one tower is in use, the desiccant material in the other regenerates, ensuring the system is always ready.

The Advantages of Desiccant Air Dryers

While they are significantly more expensive than other technologies, desiccant air dryers remove much more water from the air. Many can remove all water vapor down to a -40 to -100 dew point. Their effectiveness makes them the preferred technology for metal finishing and other extremely sensitive applications.

Desiccant systems can also operate in frigid weather and will even remove water vapor in below-freezing conditions. This technology may be the only option available if your air compressor is running outdoors or your process requires very low temperatures.

No matter what industry you’re in, Industrial Compressor Supplies offers the equipment and accessories to keep your facility operating smoothly. Their inventory includes high-quality air compressors and OEM parts from some of the industry’s leading manufacturers, and their skilled team will help you choose the best options for your application. Visit the website to browse their products, or call (877) 426-3131 to place an order.