What Is a Refrigerated Compressed Air Dryer?
A refrigerated compressed air dryer is a type of dehumidification device that uses refrigeration to cool compressed air, causing condensation and effectively removing moisture from the air.
Compressed air from air compressors can often become mixed with water, especially in conditions of high humidity. This occurs when the hot, compressed air cools down and condenses into liquid water within the piping system. Such moisture can lead to problems, including water leakage from end-use devices like air guns. Refrigerated compressed air dryers are designed to efficiently eliminate this moisture issue.
The process involves the compression and liquefaction of refrigerant within the refrigeration system, generating vapor heat. This vapor heat is used to cool the compressed air, causing moisture to condense out and be drained away, effectively drying the compressed air. Various cooling sources, such as Freon gas, chilled water, or cooling water, are employed to facilitate the cooling and condensation processes.