Adsorption Air Dryer

Adsorption is a physical phenomenon. Gaseous molecules are attracted to solid surfaces by Van der Waals forces. It includes polar-polar attraction, ion-ion attraction, polar-ion attraction, gravitational attraction, and other intermolecular forces. These have strong adhesive forces due to which gaseous molecules adsorb onto solid surfaces even at very low concentrations in a carrier gas.

The adsorption dryer absorbs the moisture in the compressed air up to a pressure dew point of -40°F. Finally, in the after-filter, remaining particles from the drying agent are retained.

Adsorption dryers mainly consist of:

• Dryer inlet
  
  
• Pre-filter
  
  
• Condensate drain
  
  
• Lower shuttle valve
  
  
• Drying agent cartridge
  
  
• Upper shuttle valve
  
  
• After-filter
  
  
• Dryer outlet
  
  
• Processor control

Adsorption Air Dryer Process
The drying of compressed air is a multi-step process :-

• A compressor pressurizes ambient air containing moisture to an elevated pressure, and temperature.
  
  
• The air is then cooled below the elevated vapor pressure of the water.
  
  
• A large amount of condensation is produced.
  
  
• The drying process begins with a mechanical separator.
  
  
• Then a coalescing filter is used to remove the bulk liquid and water mist from the compressed air stream.
  
  
• A regenerable adsorption unit is used to reduce the water vapor content to a very low level.
  
  
• A final filter removes the adsorbent fines entrained in the purified compressed air

Applications of Adsorption Air Dryer :-

• In laser cutting systems
  
  
• In bottling plants
  
  
• In dental laboratories
  
  
• In packaging machines
  
  
• In rail vehicles
  
  
• In optical measuring systems
  
  
• In sprinkler system