Desiccant Air Dryer VS Refrigerated Compressed Air Dryer,how to choose a dryer? You must watch it!
Industrial air dryers can be divided into two types based on their working principles: refrigerated air dryers and desiccant air dryers. Both types are widely used in industrial production, but no single type of dryer can be suitable for all working conditions. Therefore, factors such as the required level of dryness (pressure dew point), ambient temperature, inlet temperature, operating pressure, investment cost, operating cost, and maintenance cost must be considered when selecting the appropriate equipment or combination of equipment to meet the requirements of the production process.
From the point of view of performance requirements
Refrigerated compressed air dryers are designed to maintain a dew point of 3-10℃, but their performance can be greatly affected by changes in ambient temperature and operating conditions, often resulting in the production of liquid water at the outlet. This can have serious implications for safety and product quality. While these dryers may have a lower overall cost, their effectiveness and lifespan are often subpar, with frequent breakdowns of the condenser and evaporator leading to high maintenance costs.
A desiccant air dryer is a type of machine that removes moisture from compressed air. It works by using a desiccant material, such as silica gel, to absorb the moisture from the air. The pressure dew point of this type of dryer can range from -20 to -70 degrees Celsius, making it more effective than a refrigerated air dryer. However, traditional dual-tower desiccant air dryers have high energy consumption, unstable drying performance, and require frequent desiccant replacement, which limits their widespread use due to high overall costs.
From the perspective of the installation environment
Desiccant dryers are better suited for the environment than refrigerated dryers, as they do not use refrigerants that can harm the ozone layer. However, when selecting an desiccant dryer, it is important to consider the impact of high ambient temperatures on the compressed air pressure dew point. If the temperature exceeds 40 degrees Celsius, a pre-cooling device should be added to the front end of the dryer to ensure optimal performance.
Air dryers are sensitive to environmental temperatures. If the temperature is too high or too low, it can affect the operation of the equipment. High temperatures can cause the refrigerant condensation pressure of the air-cooled dryer to increase, resulting in a decrease in cooling capacity, which can directly affect the pressure dew point of the dryer. On the other hand, low temperatures, especially below 0℃, can cause ice blockages when draining the condensate from the air dryer.
From a comprehensive comparison point of view
The core of any compressed air treatment solution is a consistently stable and effective air dryer. Its purpose is to remove water vapor and oil vapor, prevent condensation and corrosion, and even prevent the growth of microorganisms. With 38 years of industry experience, Nanxiang has concluded that drying and purifying compressed air is a basic measure to save costs and ensure efficient and safe production. Meeting the standard of compressed air quality is the basic guarantee for production capacity and product quality. Choosing the appropriate air compressor and drying and purifying equipment can improve a company’s core competitiveness.
