Air dryers are commonly found in manufacturing plants, being leveraged to help with the daily operations. After all, they remove moisture from compressed air, preventing damage to equipment, product contamination, and system inefficiencies.
Choosing the ideal air dryer for your operation is important in maintain the longevity and performance of your compressed air system. In this quick guide, we’ll take you through the different types of air dryers and the important factors to consider when choosing the ideal option for your needs.
Types of Air Dryers
There are different types of air dryers you should know about. First in line is the refrigerated air dryer. This is actually a popular option for general industrial applications. It works by cooling the compressed air to condense the moisture, which is often removed from the systems. A refrigerated air dryer is suitable for operations where the air quality requirement is not highly stringent, such as in automotive workshops or manufacturing.
You can also choose to go with a desiccant air dryer. This type is designed for more demanding environments, such as food processing, pharmaceuticals and important manufacturing processes. These dryers use desiccant materials to absorb moisture from the air, achieving a much lower dew point than refrigerated dryers. This makes them ideal for applications, that can’t tolerate any moisture in the compressed air.
Consider Your Air Quality Needs
We all agree that different industries have varying air quality requirements. For instance, industries like beverage, food, and pharmaceuticals must adhere to strict ISO air quality standards. Making sure that your air dryer meets the necessary air dryness level for your application is important to avoid contamination and maintain compliance.
Maintenance Requirements
When purchasing an air dryer, making sure you understand the maintenance needs is important to minimizing downtime. If looking forward to hiring an air dryer, one of the key benefits is that maintenance is typically handled by the rental provider, reducing your operational burden.
Your should also factor in the environmental conditions, when looking forward to buying a desiccant air dryer or any other type for that matter. After all, the operating environment can immensely affect the performance of an air dryer.
High humidity or extreme temperatures may require a more robust air dryer, such as a desiccant dryer, to maintain performance and protect your system from moisture damage. Be sure to factor this in while making a purchase.