The right compressed air dryer is the one that meets your moisture requirement under the conditions your plant will experience. Begin with the required pressure dew point and the coldest downstream environment, then compare capacity and operating costs.
Start with pressure dew point
Pressure dew point describes the temperature at which moisture begins to condense at a stated pressure. It is not interchangeable with a dew point reported at atmospheric pressure. The CAGI compressed air drying guide explains this distinction and the factors used in dryer selection.
A refrigerated dryer cools compressed air so water condenses and can be separated. A regenerative desiccant dryer removes water vapor with an adsorbent material that is periodically regenerated. These are different ways of achieving a moisture target, rather than an automatic good-better ranking.
Match the dryer to the application
Refrigerated drying is a candidate when its specified pressure dew point meets the process requirement and the downstream temperature conditions. A lower dew point may be needed for exposed lines or moisture-sensitive processes. Desiccant drying is a candidate for those lower moisture targets. Verify performance at the proposed operating conditions rather than applying a generic temperature rating to every model.
Compare the full operating burden
Regeneration methods differ. A heatless desiccant dryer uses a portion of dried compressed air to regenerate its desiccant; other designs use heat and may use a blower. Account for the selected design’s electrical and compressed-air requirements. The CAGI air treatment handbook describes dryer arrangements and treatment considerations.
Filters, drains and service access belong in the specification too. Drying addresses moisture; the complete treatment train must also address whatever particulate and oil limits your process requires. Ask for the required upstream protection and downstream filtration for the particular dryer.
Prepare these inputs for a quotation
- Required pressure dew point, its measurement pressure and the intended measurement location.
- Maximum airflow through the dryer, operating pressure and inlet-air temperature.
- Ambient temperature range and the coldest temperature in downstream piping.
- Required particulate and oil limits, with the process or equipment specification that defines them.
- Hours of operation, part-load periods, allowable pressure drop and maintenance access.
- Requirements for monitoring, alarms and air supply during planned maintenance.
Compare Ozen dryer families
Explore the ODRD digital cycling refrigerated dryer, ODHR heatless regenerative desiccant dryer and ODBP blower-purge heated desiccant dryer pages. Ask for model-specific performance and correction factors before comparing nominal capacities.
Send Ozen your air-quality specification and site conditions. Include an existing system diagram or equipment list when the dryer must fit into an operating installation.