Understanding Dew Point in Compressed Air Systems
If you’re struggling with air dryer dew point problems, this guide is for you. Learn about the science behind dew point and how to keep your compressed air system running smoothly.
The term “dew point” is often used to describe the amount of moisture in a gas when selecting post-processing equipment. But do you really understand what it means? The dew point is the temperature at which the gas becomes saturated with water vapor and condensation begins to form. It is an important factor to consider when dealing with compressed air systems, as excessive moisture can lead to corrosion and other issues.
Dew point
Dew point is a term commonly used in selecting post-processing equipment to describe the amount of water vapor present in a gas. But do you really understand what it means? The dew point is the temperature at which the water vapor in a gas condenses into liquid form, such as dew on grass in the morning. It is an important factor to consider in many industries, including HVAC, compressed air systems, and natural gas processing.
Pressure dew point
When compressed air is cooled, the relative humidity increases. When the temperature continues to drop and the relative humidity reaches 100%, water droplets begin to form in the compressed air. This temperature is known as the pressure dew point, measured in degrees Celsius, and any temperature below this point will result in condensation. Although the pressure dew point is measured in degrees Celsius, it actually indicates the dryness of the air, or the amount of water vapor per cubic meter of air.
Requires Attention
It is important to remember that when comparing different dryers, the atmospheric dew point should not be confused with the pressure dew point. For example, the pressure dew point at 7 bar and +2℃ is equivalent to the atmospheric dew point of -23℃. Generally, we choose the type of drying equipment based on the pressure dew point.
