Desiccant Air Dryers

A compressed air dryer is a filter system explicitly designed to eliminate moisture or water content that’s naturally present in compressed air. Compressed air dryers are used in conjunction with compressed air systems to prevent excess liquid and condensate from causing damage to tools and equipment and ensure the safety of processes dependent on compressed air.

Without compressed air dryers, the wet air can lead to tank and piping corrosion, the clumping of blasting media (e.g., plastic pellets and sugar sand), fogging on painted surfaces and the emulsification of grease usually found in cylinders.

There are several compressed air dryers, but the four primary types are refrigerated dryers, desiccant dryers, chemical dryers and membrane air dryers. The type of compressed air dryer you use depends primarily on the industry or application.

Desiccants are adsorbent materials that possess a high affinity to water and hygroscopic properties. This means that desiccant materials pull and hold water molecules from the inlet air within themselves to maintain an immediate dry environment effectively. However, desiccants can and do become saturated. When this happens, the desiccant material is again dried through the use of compressed or hot air through an electric heater.

Activated charcoal, activated alumina, silica, aluminosilicate minerals or zeolites, desiccant beads, calcium chloride and calcium phosphate, are some examples of commonly used desiccant materials. They are utilised in both domestic and industrial compressed air drying, as well as other applications.

When choosing a desiccant compressed air dryer, there are certain factors you need to take into consideration:

• Size of the compressed air system: This will help determine the required capacity of the desiccant dryer you need for your operations.
• Air temperature: How hot or cold the air temperature is in your area of operation will affect the drying capacity of your system. The hotter the air, the higher the moisture content. Conversely, the cooler the air, the less the water, so even a smaller desiccant air dryer could do the job efficiently.
• Air pressure: Low air pressure increases the velocity of air moving through the air dryer, thereby reducing its contact time with the desiccant bed. This could lead to average results, which may or may not be adequate for the process or application. However, with higher air pressure, the lower air velocity increases the air's contact time with the desiccant, leading to better outcomes.
• Filtration Systems: Inlet and outlet filters ensure the dryer isn't harmed by water, oil or desiccant dust.

Aside from considering the above items, manufacturers of air dryer systems usually provide corrections that apply to various operating conditions. However, it's best to work with experts that can help you calibrate your system according to your specific requirements.

At Cleveland Compressed Air Services, we can help you configure your air drying system to ensure it is optimised to provide you with the exact drying solution for your business.

Desiccant dryers are commonly used in a range of applications that utilise compressed air. In the oil and gas industry, desiccant dryers are used in processes like oil recovery, petroleum refining and transport, as the equipment used is susceptible to damage due to moisture.

While desiccant dryers are known to deliver much dryer air than refrigerated dryers, they do cost more to purchase, operate and maintain. Therefore, it makes sense to use them for highly sensitive applications or production processes and equipment. Desiccant dryers are also a practical choice in setups where refrigerated dryers may not work optimally, such as in high-dust or high-heat environments.

As mentioned earlier, desiccant dryers produce air that’s substantially dryer compared to refrigerated air dryers. Moreover, desiccant dryers also take less time to dry the air than most dryers, so they’re ideal for operations where time savings are crucial.

There are several air-drying systems available on the market, but they’re certainly not created equal.

In deciding on your air dryer system, it’s best to get the advice of a trusted firm like Cleveland Compressors.

We have been providing high-quality compressed air solutions and services to our Australian clients since 1994. With our extensive knowledge of air-drying products and their applications, we can help you decide whether you need a desiccant air dryer system for your business.

If you have other questions or would like to know more about our range of air dryers, please get in touch with us online or call us on (08) 9542 3669. You may also send an email to info@ccair.net.au.