How to connect air dryer to compressor compressed air dryer installation?

We need air treatment equipment to ensure the quality of compressed air. They include dryers, filters and air receiver. How about their installation order?

Many factories use refrigerant dryers directly behind the air compressor. First of all, this is not correct. The pressure of the compressed air just coming out is unstable. Besides it contains a lot of moisture and magazines. So you have to install a storage tank in front of air dryer for compressor. Not only it helps to stabilize the pressure, but it also cools temperature and removes water. Moreover, it will protect our refrigerant compressed air dryer.

Then, behind the storage tank, it should install a pre-filter. It can remove solid particles and impurities from the compressed air. Let the clean air enter the refrigeration dryer.

In addition, we need install a water and oil removal filters in front of desiccant air dryer. Because the adsorbent needs to avoid oil. Otherwise, it will affect the effect and service life of the desiccant beads. Then behind the adsorption dryer you also need to install a dust-removal filter. Because the adsorbent may be powdered over time, it is necessary to remove dust.

Therefore, the correct installation order is as follows: air compressor — storage tank — pre-filter — refrigerated air dryer — moisture / oil-removal filter — adsorption air dryer — dust-removal compressed air filter. Next, introduce the installation of refrigerated and desiccant air dryer separately.

1. Refrigerated compressed air dryer installation

(1) Installation site requirements

① Firstly, avoid exposing the air compressor dryer to direct sunlight. At the same time, not install in a humid and corrosive gas environment.

Otherwise it will lead to corrosion of the dryer heat exchange system pipes. This can cause damage to the equipment.

② Secondly, the ambient temperature should be below 45°C. And the room should have good air circulation.

If the ambient temperature is too high, it will cause the refrigeration compressor exhaust pressure to be too high. Then make the refrigeration air dryer overload. Eventually the machine will stop working.

③ Keep the air compressor air dryer at least 800 mm away from around. Otherwise it will cause inconvenient maintenance or poor heat dissipation.

④ Regarding installation: The dryer does not need to be installed using a foundation. It is only necessary to fix on a solid horizontal surface.

(2) Dryer installation piping requirements

① First of all, use flange connections for the compressed air inlet and outlet. So it can facilitate disassembly.

② Next, install a main line pipe filter. Then it can avoid solid impurities and oil mist contamination. Otherwise it will affect the heat exchange performance of the air compressor dryer.

③ Thirdly, the piping diameter can’t be smaller than the dryer inlet size. Besides the pipeline length should be short as much as possible. Then it can avoid too much bending to reduce the pressure drop.

④ In order not to affect normal production during maintenance. Consider installing a bypass line.

⑤ Sometimes there will be debris blocking the pipeline. And they will affect the normal operation of the refrigerated air dryer. Therefore, when piping, we must blow the main air line and the bypass.

⑥ There should be on-off valves for cooling water pipeline. Also install pressure gauge and temperature gauge for maintenance.

After installation of compressed air dryer, must check for leakage with soapy water. Otherwise it will waste air supply. Or the pressure may not reach the customer’s usage requirements.

(3) Power supply connection of refrigerant air compressor dryer

① Firstly, please connect to the power supply as indicated on the dryer nameplate.
② Secondly, the power supply must be with an earth leakage switch.
③ Thirdly, the voltage should comply with ±5% of the standard voltage.
④ Also, the refrigerant air compressor dryer must be with a grounding wire. Ensure reliable earthing.
⑤ The power supply line must not be barged in the middle. Otherwise, it will cause a voltage drop in the line. Finally, it will affect normal operation of compressed air dryer.
⑥ When setting the earth leakage circuit breaker, please refer to the maximum operating current of dryer.
⑦ Finally, please do not share the same protector with other machines.

Warning:

If the voltage falls below 5% for a long time, it will damage the refrigerant compressor.
The refrigerant air dryer may cause personal injury if there is no earth wire.
If the power supply does not have an earth leakage switch, an electric shock may occur.

2. Desiccant compressed air dryer installation

(1) Installation place

Similar to refrigerated compressed air dryer, desiccant dryer also has requirements for temperature. Don’t install the adsorption air dryer in areas where the ambient temperature exceeds 45°C. And it also avoid extremely cold environment. If possible, advise to insulate the dryer’s A/B twin towers. Also do not install outdoors.

Please reserve adequate space around the desiccant air compressor dryer. So it’s good for later maintenance. And fix the dryer to the foundation with bolts.

(2) Pipe installation

Connect the compressed air lines to the dryer inlet/outlet fittings. And there needs two filters before the adsorption air dryer for compressor. Also, to minimize pressure drop, use as few elbow connections as possible.

Frequent air discharge of A/B towers will cause noise. To reduce noise, consider connecting the dryer exhaust pipe to the outside. Besides, it is good for the discharge of condensate.

Likewise, after installing all piping, test for leaks. This ensures that the air compressor air dryer can work without problems.

(3) Compressed air filter installation

In addition to installing 2 filters in front of the desiccant air compressor dryer, you also need to install a filter in the back. The front coalescing filters are for water and oil removal. This ensures a long service life for the adsorbent. Also helps to reduce costs.

And the post-filter can help to eliminate the possibility of desiccant dust into the air system.

So above is about how to connect air dryer to compressor. For more info about compressed air dryer installation, welcome to contact us!