Dryers using activated carbon don’t need refilling. Made up of tiny balls, the alumina traps water in the air by latching on to it – allowing the air to pass through freely. The size of your water collection bowl isn’t as important for desiccant dryers as it is for other types – but it’s still worth bearing in mind.
For your sort of operation Van Air Systems has two different air dryers you should take a close look at: the D2 and the Moisture Boss. The D2 is a low cost air dryer sized for 7 CFM at 100 PSIG. The dryer includes two initial fills of Dry-O-Lite desiccant. The Moisture Boss is a bigger air dryer that also uses Dry-O-Lite desiccant.
best air compressor dryer for painting Related Question:
Do I need an air dryer to paint?
As any professional will tell you, a great finish requires clean and dry compressed air. This is doubly true when using water borne paints. Trace amounts of liquid water or compressor oil in the air supply can ruin a paint job.
Do I really need an air dryer for my compressor?
Air dryers are essential for air compressors. They keep compressors free of moisture, and prevent condensate and rust problems from occurring. Air compressors produce a lot of water. While this water can be drained, the moisture isn’t removed entirely from the system.
Where is compressed air needed in the auto body shop?
Automotive paint and body shops use compressed air in nearly every step of the automotive body repair process. Including various sanding steps (rough to wet finishing), multiple paint applications, (primer coats, base coats and finishing clear coats) and they all consume compressed air.
How does an Atlas Copco air dryer work?
They consist of an air-to-air heat exchanger and an air-to-Freon heat exchanger. The compressed air from the compressor first passes the air-to-air heat exchanger. In this phase the incoming air is pre-cooled by the outgoing air and the outgoing air is heated.
What is a refrigerated compressed air dryer?
Refrigerated dryers are the most common type of compressed air dryer. They remove water from the air stream by cooling the air to approximately 3 °C (38 °F) and effectively condensing out the moisture in a controlled environment.
What is the difference between a desiccant dryer and a refrigerant dryer?
Desiccant dryers operate at significantly lower dew points which facilitates the elimination of moisture more efficiently than a refrigerated dryer. By comparison, refrigerated air dryers are typically operated at higher dew points than desiccant dryers.
Is it OK to leave an air compressor full?
The short answer is yes, it is perfectly safe to leave an air compressor full. However, this assumes that it has been properly maintained, with regular draining to remove accumulated moisture from inside the tank.
What is CFM air dryer?
All compressed air dryers have a maximum drying capacity expressed in cubic feet per minute (cfm).
How do you size a desiccant air dryer?
To size the desiccant air dryer to match this compressor, we need to calculate 65% of the total CFM, in this case, 20. The max output is no more than 13 CFM or 65% of the total CFM of 20. The desiccant air dryer only needs to work at 13 CFM to fit the compressor and match the total dry air needed.
Why does my air compressor make so much water?
Compressors usually contain water separators that remove free water from the air stream, but the air coming out of a compressor is generally warmer than the ambient conditions. As the saturated warm discharge air cools in your pipes, it will release some of its water to condensate—and you will get water in your pipes.
What is a major problem with compressed air systems?
One of the most common problems experienced in a compressed air system is low pressure or perceived low pressure. Symptoms can include machinery faults, inability of air cylinders to apply necessary force, or inadequate torque on an air tool.
What separation method does a clothes dryer use?
Cooling plus separation is exactly how it sounds. The hot compressed air is cooled, which allows a large amount of water to condense. Once the water is condensed it can then be separated from the air. This technique occurs through an after-cooler and if being used, a refrigerant dryer.
How does a refrigerated air dryer work?
Refrigerated Air Dryers Warm, moist air enters the air dryer. It is rapidly cooled to a temperature slightly above freezing in a refrigeration unit. The water vapor condenses into liquid water. The water is collected in a trap and emitted through discharge lines.
What air compressor do mechanics use?
Vehicle service, repair and auto body shops typically rely on 5 to 30 HP air compressors with 80 to 240 gallon air receivers that power an automotive shop’s pneumatic tools and equipment.
What kind of air compressor do tire shops use?
Gas driven air compressors are the most popular type of air compressor on tire technician’s trucks. They are affordable, easy to source, and simple to operate.
