Refrigerated Air Dryers - Q & A
How does Water get in your compressed air?
A. Compressor inlet
(humidity-moisture) enters the air system through the air compressor inlet air
filter. The air compressor sucks in approximately 7 cubic feet of atmospheric
air at 0 psig, and that volume of air is compressed into 1 cubic feet of air at
100 psig. The water vapor (humidity-moisture) that was in the 7 cubic feet of
atmospheric air is now compressed into 1 cubic feet of compressed air.
are 3 forms of water in compressed air:
1. Liquid water
2. Aerosol (mist)
3. Vapor (gas)
water is easily removed by general purpose filters. They remove 98% of the
liquid water and less than 10% water mist & 0% vapor. Water
in Aerosol or Vapor form requires the use of a Compressed Air Dryer. For
every 50°F drop in compressed air temperature, the moisture holding capacity of
air is reduced by 50%. Drying
prevents liquid water forming downstream where it can contaminate or damage the
system causing operating problems, costly maintenance, and repairs.