How long does air dryer desiccant last?
With proper maintenance of pre-filters, activated alumina desiccant should last up to 5 years in heatless dryers. For heat regenerated dryers the desiccant should last 2 to 3 years. Desiccant can be visually inspected to look for discoloration and oil contamination.
Does a plasma cutter need an air dryer?
Using an air dryer to provide filtered air to your plasma cutter will help increase the life span of your torch consumables and allow you to make cleaner cuts. If your air is dirty your consumables will deteriorate faster and your cuts will suffer.
How does a refrigerated air dryer work?
The working principle of a refrigerated air dryer is the same as a domestic refrigerator or air conditioning unit. Compressed air entering the unit is first cooled in an air-to-air heat exchanger. The outgoing cooled air pre-cools the hot incoming air, condensing the moisture present into liquid water which is drained out of the system.
What do you need to know about compressed air dryers?
The majority of compressed air dryers are of refrigerated design. These dryers use refrigerant to cool the incoming compressed air to near freezing. As the air cools, moisture condenses to liquid water, and drains away.
What are the different types of air dryers?
Instrument Air Dryer Types 1 Refrigerated Air Dryer. Refrigerated air dryers are a popular option for eliminating water vapors, aerosols, and mist present in compressed air systems. 2 Regenerative Desiccant Air Dryers. 3 Membrane Air Dryer.
Which is better a refrigerant dryer or an air dryer?
Larger refrigerant dryers have air-to-air heat exchanger between warm incoming air and chilled outgoing air. Cooled oil and water fogs coalesce much better in a coalescing filter at the cold temperatures than one in the warmer oil and water vapors located downstream of the air dryer air-to-air heat exchanger.