Industrial refrigeration
compressed air dryers Drytec

Refrigeration (or refrigerated) dryers are an important component of compressed air systems that are used to remove moisture and other contaminants from compressed air. When air is compressed, its temperature rises, causing moisture in the air to condense and collect in the compressed air stream. This moisture can lead to corrosion, damage to pneumatic tools, and even contamination of the final product or process. That's why it's crucial to remove moisture and other contaminants from compressed air before using it in any application.

Refrigeration dryers work by cooling compressed air to a temperature at which moisture can condense and be removed. The compressed air passes through a heat exchanger where it is cooled by a refrigerant. The moisture in the air then condenses into droplets and is separated from the air stream in a separator.

The dry compressed air then passes through a heater where it is heated to prevent potential condensation in the system. Finally, the air is passed through a particulate filter to remove any remaining contaminants.

Refrigeration dryers are particularly effective when compressed air is used at a constant flow rate, temperature and dew point. They are also easy to operate and maintain and can provide a constant supply of clean, dry compressed air.

Overall, refrigeration dryers are an important component of any compressed air system, helping to protect the system from corrosion, damage and contamination, and ensuring reliable and efficient operation.

A refrigeration (or refrigerated) dryer is ideal for applications where the outside temperature will always be higher than the dew point produced by the dryer itself. For example, if the entire compressor station, including the receivers, is located in a room where the temperature does not drop below 10°C, then refrigerated dryers with a dew point of +3°C (SDE models) or +7°C (DST models) will ensure that no condensation occurs.

When making a decision to purchase a dryer, you should always rely on the requirements of the manufacturer of the equipment to which the compressed air will be supplied.

If you need to dry air down to -40°C or -70°C, please visit the Adsorption dryers page.

The correct sizing or selection of a compressed air refrigeration dryer is important to ensure that it can effectively remove moisture and other contaminants from compressed air. Here are some basic steps to follow when choosing a refrigeration dryer:

Determine the required flow rate: This is the amount of compressed air that will be passing through the dryer at any given time. It is important to select a dryer with a flow rate that is greater than the maximum compressed air flow rate of the system.

Calculate the inlet temperature: The inlet temperature of the compressed air will affect the performance of the refrigeration dryer. The inlet temperature should be measured at the hottest point in the compressed air system. The inlet temperature will help determine the required cooling capacity of the refrigeration dryer.

Determine the required dew point: The dew point is the temperature at which moisture in the compressed air will begin to condense. The required dew point will depend on the application and any downstream equipment that the compressed air will be used for. It is important to choose a refrigeration dryer that can achieve the required dew point.

Pay attention to the operating environment: The operating environment can affect the performance and service life of the refrigeration dryer. Factors such as ambient temperature and humidity, as well as the location of the dryer, should be considered when choosing a dryer.

Choose a dryer with the right features: consider features such as automatic drain valves, high-efficiency heat exchangers and low-pressure drops. These features can help optimise the performance of your refrigeration dryer and reduce energy costs.

By following these steps and consulting with a compressed air system specialist, you can select or size a refrigeration dryer that meets the specific needs of your compressed air system and ensures reliable and efficient operation.

A refrigeration dryer is a type of compressed air dryer that removes moisture and other contaminants from compressed air through a cooling process. The main components of a refrigeration dryer are:

• Compressor: the compressor is used to compress the incoming air, increasing its temperature and pressure.

• Air-to-refrigerant heat exchanger: The compressed air then passes through an air-to-refrigerant heat exchanger, which cools the compressed air and removes moisture from the air stream.

• Cooling system: The refrigeration system consists of a compressor, condenser, expansion valve and evaporator. It is used to cool the compressed air to the desired temperature and remove moisture from the air stream.

• Separator: The separator is used to separate moisture that has condensed from the compressed air stream.

• Reheater: The reheater is used to reheat the dried compressed air to prevent any potential condensation in the system.

• Particulate filter: The dry compressed air passes through a particulate filter to remove any residual contaminants.

• Controls: Controls are used to monitor and regulate the operation of the refrigeration dryer, including temperature and pressure sensors, refrigerant level switches and control valves.

In general, refrigeration dryer components work together to remove moisture and other contaminants from compressed air, providing clean and dry compressed air for a variety of industrial and commercial applications.