If you’re working with air compressors, moisture is the one problem to avoid as much as possible. Moisture seeping through to your compressors can cause problems, as any leak has the potential of causing a complete breakdown.
Even though it’s hard to avoid any moisture at all times, efficiently eradicating moisture in the system is possible. There are two types of air dryers used in the industry. Both are equally popular: refrigerant and regenerative air dryers.
Refrigerant air dryers are further distinguished as cycling and non-cycling air dryers. Let’s unpack what that entails.
Cycling Air Dryers
The process of cycling dryers is simple in design. It's an exchange of warm air in return for cold air using a rotary system. The exchange happens where the mass of either fluid or related substance can be used to alternate between a heat sink and a refrigerant to cool the compressed air. The cycle keeps repeating itself and the temperature remains controlled.
Benefits of Refrigerant Cycling Dryers:
Energy Saving: Due to the controlled temperatures in the cycling air dryers the flow of air is fractional and can even settle at zero. This is a huge saving in terms of energy.
Low Maintenance: The system is simple and doesn’t need a lot of maintenance.
Non-Cycling Air Dryers
A simplistic way of looking at non-cycling air dryers is the non-stop running of the refrigerant compressor. It doesn't stop running irrespective of the amount of moisture or airflow ratio in the system. The various movements are expanded on below.
Movements of Non-Cycling Air Dryers:
Air is received inside the systemIt goes through either a cooling or reheating process
The air is then evaporated in the system
After evaporation, the moisture is extracted
Air is now let out of the system
The suction accumulator protects the system by preventing any liquid passing back into the compressor
The air is now pressurized in the compressor
As with most things, there are positives and negatives.
Benefits of Refrigerant Non-Cycling Dryers:
The dew points are minimal
It operates non-stop
Drawbacks of Refrigerant Non- Cycling Dryers:
There are no energy-saving benefits
Final Thoughts
If you want to avoid moisture build up in your air compressors, why not call us today for a quote? CDA Systems expertise in clean dry air helps you get the best plan for your unique situation. Contact us today at 925.667.3400/sales@cdasystems.com.