High-performance refrigeration dryers and efficient adsorption dryers for optimum air drying
Wherever compressed air is used, it makes sense to pre-treat the air. A compressor always absorbs moisture and impurities from the intake air. This has negative effects on the compressor and the compressed air tools in the form of corrosion. Refrigeration dryers and adsorption dryers have therefore been developed for protection. They prepare the air and thus ensure high air quality. This increases the productivity and service life of the equipment used.
Differences between refrigeration dryers and adsorption dryers
A refrigeration dry er cools the discharged air to a maximum of 3 °C. The 3 °C corresponds to the so-called pressure dew point. The 3 °C corresponds to the so-called pressure dew point: this is the temperature at which water vapour begins to condense. Once the water vapour has condensed, it can easily be discharged.
The main advantage of refrigeration dryers is that they are a simple and reliable method of removing moisture from the air. They are also usually less expensive than adsorption dryers and require less maintenance.
Adsorption dryers use adsorbents to dehumidify the air. The pressure dew point is between -25 °C and -70 °C. They work even more efficiently than refrigeration dryers and are mainly used where a particularly low humidity is required.
The main advantage of adsorption dryers is that they are able to operate at high temperatures. They are also very effective at removing impurities and other volatile organic compounds from the air.
How does an adsorption dryer work?
The drying process of an adsorption dryer can be divided into three phases: Drying phase, regeneration phase and overpressure phase. In the drying phase, the moist intake air from the compressor is passed through a filter that removes the oil. It then enters the first tower, where the desiccant binds the water vapour molecules. Depending on the saturation of the desiccant, the air flow is forwarded to the next tower. In the regeneration phase, part of the dry air is diverted to the next tower to remove the water it contains. This phase is quiet thanks to a silencer. As soon as regeneration is complete, the pressurisation phase begins, in which the air flow changes again.