The following is an excerpt from the article, What's Hot in Dryers, recently published on IMPO magazine’s website. The article features an interview with Mike Robinson, product marketing manager – quality air solutions. The article was also published in the September issue of IMPO magazine.
Compressed air is found in almost any manufacturing environment. Often referred to as the “fourth utility,” it is widely used in control systems and for powering pneumatic equipment. In order for these systems to perform properly, the air must be dry.
“More specifically, the air must not contain liquid moisture and should be at a relative humidity of less than 50 percent to prevent corrosion,” says Mike Robinson, product marketing manager at Atlas Copco Compressors.
“Bulk liquid in compressed air systems can cause several issues: it can block control air lines and prevent instruments from reading or actuating properly; it can damage air tools by preventing proper lubrication; it can cause water hammer events that damage equipment and piping; and processes can be directly impacted when water enters from the air stream,” says Robinson.
He explains that removing moisture for corrosion protection is also important for the equipment using the air and the air system itself. Particulates created from rust and scale can foul lines and damage components of the air system. In the worst case, corrosion could lead to failure in the pipe work, creating leaks and preventing air from reaching the process where it is needed.
Dryer Trends to Watch
“Technology advancements for compressed air dryers focus on improving the energy efficiency of the drying process,” says Robinson. “Changes in the system components can lead to improvements in the power required to operate the unit.”
Control strategies have a large impact on the amount of energy used in drying. By optimizing the dryer performance based on maintaining the proper relative humidity, a dryer can operate at a level that prevents water in a compressed air system while minimizing the power needed.
Air losses due to purge and pressure drop are also key focuses for energy efficient design improvements because they often represent a higher portion of the dryer operating cost than direct power. “Anything that can be done to reduce those items while still maintaining the dryer performance will result in lower power costs for the user,” says Robinson.
You can read the full article, which provides more detailed information on the different types of compressed air dryers available to manufacturers, by visiting IMPO magazine’s website: What's Hot in Dryers. If you would like to learn more about selecting a compressed air dryer, contact us or leave a comment below.
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