In today’s market, we have many different machines and appliances available with great uses that make our lives much easier. Today, we are talking about refrigerated air dryers and why they can be worth every penny if you get the right one. But many people don’t understand the mechanism behind these air dryers, which makes it a difficult endeavor when they’re shopping around for one.
So, if you’re in the market to purchase a refrigerated air dryer with great capabilities and an appealing price, then read on to learn about the different types available.
What Is a Refrigerated Air Dryer?
A refrigerated air dryer is a machine that resembles a filter system. It’s designed to cool down the compressed air and it removes any water or moisture in that compressed air. It condenses most of the water vapors and it decreases the temperature of the air that enters the dryer significantly. The air is cooled to approximately 3 degrees and the condensed vapors turn into water. The cooling system is in a separate circuit that evaporates any liquid and cools it down. These machines have a component called the water-trap that removes all the water from the compressed air. To make the air a lot drier, it is reheated to room temperature.
Types of Refrigerated Air Dryers
The types of refrigerated air dryers vary, and some units can be unavailable in your region. But the ones that you can find frequently are the cycling and non-cycling dryers. If you live in Australia, you can learn more about the different Australian standards and designs for air dryers to know which type is best suited for your needs. You must understand more about these details so that you can make the best decisions.
Let’s dive in and understand what these two types of refrigerated air dryers mean.
- Cycling Air Dryer
This type of dryer has an automatic shut-off mechanism that shuts the dryer down when it’s in the process of having the cooled fluid dry the air. These machines can be quite energy-efficient and cost-effective because it reduces the energy used. Thanks to the automatic shut-off system and you won’t have to pay as much when it comes to utility bills. It’s always great to have the advantage of decreasing or increasing the cooling capacity depending on the unit’s air use. So, it wouldn’t hurt to get this type of dryer to ensure excellent results.
- Non-Cycling Air Dryer
This type of dryer will not shut-off at all and it continues to run constantly during each phase of the process. But that doesn’t mean that you will pay more because these units are known to have the lowest maintenance costs and you can rely on getting great results from them. Non-cycling air dryers are very common and commonly used by many people and factories. With the engine not turning off or on automatically, these dryers will have a durable cooling system to minimize any overheating issues. Also, these dryers are made from strong material that can withstand the nature of these air dryers.
Which One Should I Purchase?
If you’re wondering about which one to purchase, you need to think about the advantages and disadvantages of each type first. But just keep in mind that they’re both excellent choices and it all depends on your situation, personal preference, and budget.
The cycling air dryers tend to have a significant amount of energy savings, whether the airflow is zero or partial. It’s rarely damaged by the oil in the air stream, has low operating costs, and is usually very silent because of the switch-off mechanism. However, they have higher capital costs compared to non-cycling dryers, the dew point capabilities are limited, and they tend to be bigger in size and weight. This could make it difficult for you to move the dryer.
Non-cycling air dryers have very low dew point swings, they operate constantly without any interruptions, they have low maintenance costs, low capital costs, and a good cooling system. The downside of this dryer is that it’s not energy-efficient because it’s constantly turned on and they tend to be very loud.
The Key Features You Should Look For
It’s important to keep an eye out for some key features when you’re shopping around for your next refrigerated air dryer.
Let’s learn about the features that every refrigerated air dryer unit should have.
- Maximum Airflow
It’s always good to have a unit that can take in more airflow through the dryer. It should be a lot higher than what a compressor does, and maximum airflow will not cause any pressure drops.
- Temperature Regulation
A dryer should be able to withstand high temperatures and regulate that heat to prevent any sudden shutdowns due to overheating. You need a dryer that can handle different temperatures and not just room temperature.
- Decent Pressure
You need a unit that has higher pressure levels than your compressor, but it’s okay if the levels were similar. Just make sure that it’s not way lower than your compressor’s pressure level.
- Excellent Inlet Temperature
It’s always great to have dryers that are designed specifically with decent inlet temperature capabilities. You can rest assured that no matter how hot the airflow is, your dryer will keep on working at full capacity and not get damaged in the process.
- Noiseless Capabilities
Some dryers can have noise-absorption technology that can make them silent. This is a great feature to go for and the dryer can be worth every penny spent if it doesn’t emit so much noise constantly.
You need to realize that these dryers can save you such a hassle because moisture can be quite detrimental to your machines and motors. It could lead to faulty controls that don’t work due to excess moisture that freezes the control lines during winter, or it could cause a lot of rust to spread that can damage your motors. Also, it could cause corrosion in a lot of parts and that can make your equipment shutdown instantly, get interrupted, have punctures and holes in various areas, and make different reading instruments give you incorrect readings. So, investing in a convenient refrigerated air dryer can prevent numerous negative outcomes.
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