Air treatment solutions for power generation
The hazards from water
Based on the size of the compressor and the humidity in the climate, compressed air contains water as both liquid and vapor. A small 170m³/h(100-cfm) compressor and refrigeration-dryer combination, operating for 4000 hours in typical climatic conditions produces approximately 8300l (2200 gallons) of liquid condensate per year. Water, in any form, must be removed for the system to run correctly and efficiently. That is why dryers are imperative to generate clean, dry air.
Different air purity options
Get to know a range of drying and filtration options that help eliminate the harmful moisture in your compressed air.
- Aftercoolers reduce the temperature and water content of compressed air.
- Bulk liquid separators remove liquid condensed in the distribution system.
- Particulate filters remove solid-particle contaminants down and separate bulk liquids from the air stream.
- Coalescing filters remove liquid aerosols and particles (not vapors) down.
- Refrigeration dryers generate dew points of 3°C (37° F) to 10°C (50°F).
- Desiccant dryers produce dew points of -40° to -100°F.
- Membrane dryers have variable drying capabilities from -40°C(-40°F) to 2°C (35°F) dew points, depending on flow. In most plants, one compressed air system supplies many applications.
But actual point-of-use air quality requirements vary depending on the individual workstation or machine. Best tip, compressed air should be treated prior to entering the distribution system and at each point-of-use. This approach provides the most economical system purification by removing residual contamination in the distribution system while ensuring that critical areas receive air treated to the highest purity – to protect valuable equipment and prevent expensive downtime.
