Air Dryers & Main Line Filters

Air Dryers

Moisture is the enemy of your pneumatic systems. Fortunately, SMC and Orange Coast Pneumatics offer an expansive selection of air dryers to keep moisture out of your systems. 

You’ll find a wide range of sizes to meet flow ranges from 10 to 1000 liters per minute (ANR) and dew points from -15° to -60° Celsius (5° to -76° Fahrenheit). Find the best compressed air dryers for your operations, here.

Then, continue reading to discover the purpose of an air drying solution, the three types of solutions available to you, and the most common type on the market.

What Does an Air Dryer Do in a Pneumatic System?

Compressed air dryers play a crucial role in maintaining the efficiency and reliability of a pneumatic system. The purpose of an air dryer is to remove moisture from compressed air, ensuring that it is dry and free from water vapor. 

This is essential because moisture can cause various problems in pneumatic systems, such as corrosion, freezing, reduced equipment lifespan, and compromised product quality. When air is compressed, its temperature rises, leading to an increase in its water-holding capacity. 

As the compressed air cools down, the excess moisture present in it condenses, posing a risk to the system. To avoid water condensation and its detrimental effects, air dryers are employed. By removing moisture, air dryers help maintain the integrity and performance of pneumatic systems.

What are the Three Types of Air Dryers?

• Heatless Regenerative Dryers
• Membrane Air Dryers
• Refrigerated Air Dryers

Heatless Regenerative Dryers

Heatless regenerative dryers are a reliable and energy-efficient option for drying compressed air. These dryers use adsorption technology to remove moisture. 

They typically consist of two towers filled with desiccant material, such as activated alumina or molecular sieve. While one tower dries the air, the other undergoes a regeneration process, allowing for continuous operation.

Membrane Air Dryers

Membrane air dryers operate by passing compressed air through a selectively permeable membrane. The membrane allows water vapor molecules to permeate while preventing the passage of dry air molecules. This separation process effectively removes moisture from the compressed air, providing a clean and dry output.

Refrigerated Air Dryers

Refrigerated air dryers are the most common type of compressed air dryers used in industrial and commercial applications. They work by cooling the compressed air, which causes moisture to condense. 

The condensed moisture is then separated and drained from the system, leaving behind dry air. Refrigerated air dryers offer efficient and cost-effective moisture removal, making them widely adopted in various industries.

What’s the Most Common Type of Compressed Air Dryer?

Refrigerated air dryers are the most common type of compressed air dryers used in industrial and commercial operations. Their popularity can be attributed to their effectiveness, reliability, and cost efficiency.

Refrigerated air dryers utilize a refrigeration system to cool down the compressed air. As the air is cooled, the moisture present in it condenses into liquid form. The condensed moisture is then separated and discharged from the system, leaving behind dry air that is suitable for use in pneumatic applications. 

The refrigeration system in these dryers employs a heat exchanger and a refrigerant, which cools the air to a temperature where moisture condensation occurs. The cooled air is then reheated before leaving the dryer, preventing any potential issues that extremely cold air might cause in downstream applications.

Refrigerated Air Dryers Offer Several Advantages

They provide consistent dew point control, ensuring a reliable supply of dry air. They are capable of handling a wide range of operating conditions and can effectively remove moisture even in high-humidity environments. Additionally, refrigerated air dryers are relatively easy to install and maintain, making them a preferred choice for a diverse range of businesses.

Find the Air Dryers for Your Pneumatic System at OC Pneumatics

In conclusion, air dryers are vital components in pneumatic systems, ensuring that compressed air remains dry and free from moisture. By utilizing heatless regenerative dryers, membrane air dryers, or refrigerated air dryers, your business can maintain the integrity and efficiency of its operations. 

If you are in need of reliable, budget-friendly air drying equipment for your pneumatic systems, OC Pneumatics is the ideal destination. With our commitment to providing superior-quality solutions, we ensure that you have access to efficient air drying solutions for your industrial and commercial operations. 

Our comprehensive selection of air dryers caters to diverse requirements, enabling you to find the perfect match for your pneumatic system. To explore our range of compressed air dryers — and find the perfect solution for your needs — reach out to our team today.

Main Line Filters

SMC's upstream air preparation filters separate and remove mist and particles in compressed air that is difficult to remove with standard air filters. Depending on the unit, removal of contaminants down to  0.01 micron is possible. Large capacity filters and centrifugal water separators are also available.

Aftercoolers

SMC offers both air-cooled and water-cooled type aftercoolers. They are able to cool high temperature compressed air down to 40 °C or less while efficiently removing moisture from the system.

Auto Drain Valves

SMC's line auto drain valves reliably discharges even viscous drainage without requiring a human operator. There are several variants including air operated, motor operated, and heavy duty float style.