Introduction
Desiccant dryers can remove water vapor from different systems. These machines are used in various industries like pharmaceuticals, food, beverage, and even automotive. Furthermore, they are more commonly seen in higher-value applications with a longer life cycle.
It is important to note that desiccant air dryers work best when paired with cooling systems. These added pieces of equipment ensure adequate airflow and temperature control to prevent condensation buildup on the desiccant materials inside these machines.
If you’re looking for modular cartridge desiccant dryers in the Philippines, turn to none other than Compresstech Resources, Inc. We offer various desiccant dryers at the best prices. These can all be used for dehumidification purposes in commercial or industrial settings. If you aren’t sure which model to get, you don’t have to worry because our team of professionals can recommend the ones that best fit your needs and preferences.
What Is a Desiccant Air Dryer?
Desiccant air dryers utilize porous material that adsorb moisture by collecting it in their myriad pores. As a result, this allows large amounts of water to be retained by a relatively small quantity of desiccant.
Traditional compressed air dryers have desiccants contained in two separate towers. The gas that will be dried flows through one tower, while the desiccant in the other is regenerated. In these machines, regeneration occurs by reducing the pressure in the tower and passing purge air through the desiccant bed. Keep in mind that the purge air can also be heated, within the dryer or externally, to reduce the amount required.
On the other hand, a modular cartridge desiccant dryer has a chamber that consists of many small and independent units. This is why it can help you reduce 80% of the time needed to process a certain amount since all you need to do is change the core instead of refilling the desiccant.
The Working Principle Behind Desiccant Dryers
A desiccant dryer, which is preferred by most enterprises over a dehumidifier, is a machine that removes moisture from the air. Numerous companies use them to expel water vapor within an area, thereby avoiding mold formation and other health risks. In addition, desiccant dryers are being used in more places today than ever before due to their effective ability to remove humidity without contributing additional energy costs or heat.
The working principle behind a desiccant dryer is that the machine uses a heat and adsorption process for moisture removal. Afterward, upon saturation of the desiccant, the machine will switch to blowing or drying. It will utilize the incoming compressed air to dry the wet section, with the process repeating itself through constant switching.
Different Desiccant Dryer Beads Used by Compressed Air Desiccant Dryers
Some of the desiccant dryer beads on the market today include the following:
Silica Gel
Used to prevent moisture-related damage, silica gel is a substance with no taste or odor that absorbs water. It can be found in many different products such as boxes, jars, books, and more.
In particular, silica gel has the ability to physically remove moisture from the air by binding itself to water molecules. It uses the power of molecular sieve adsorption to remove water molecules from the substrate at a rapid pace. As soon as it binds with any water molecule, it releases oxygen atoms and continues releasing them until all the molecules are gone.
This small white crystal has a molecular formula of SiO2 and can absorb up to 30 to 40 percent of its weight in water. As a result, this unique characteristic differs silica gel from other desiccants.
Activated Alumina
Manufactured from aluminum hydroxide, activated alumina is a new drying agent that is highly effective in removing moisture from the air. This desiccant dryer bead helps reduce the moisture content of materials to be dried. Although it is often used to purify gas streams by selective adsorption, it also has water filtration and catalyst applications. For example, it is used in the Claus process, a treatment that desulfurizes natural gas.
Activated alumina comes in powder form, allowing easy storage and handling. This quality also makes it ideal for use in industrial settings where it can be stored and applied as needed. The powder also has excellent stability over time, so it keeps working effectively regardless of when you purchased it or opened the package.
Furthermore, it has a unique ability to remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the atmosphere. VOCs are harmful chemicals present in most buildings and industries that can have toxic effects on humans, plants, and animals.
Molecular Sieves
Used to remove water from a gas or liquid, molecular sieves are porous, crystalline materials. They have many applications in the food and pharmaceutical industries, as they can adsorb high levels of moisture content in a solution within seconds without changing the other chemical components. In addition, they are made up of synthetic or natural zeolites, which are metal aluminosilicate compounds that have well-defined crystalline structures.
Molecular sieves are commonly used as desiccant dryer beads because they quickly remove moisture from gases or liquids by absorbing it into their pores. This helps prevent mold from building up on products, such as flour, sugar, and spices during storage or transportation.
Nowadays, desiccant air dryers usually use four main types of molecular sieves, namely: 3A, 4A, 5A, and 13X. Each one differs depending on the molecule’s chemical formula and the pore size of the molecular sieve itself.
How Is a Modular Cartridge Desiccant Dryer Different From Its Traditional Counterparts?
The modular cartridge desiccant dryer is different from its traditional counterparts because it has a design that enables it to be connected to multiple units. Since it is smaller, it is easier to maintain and much more cost efficient. Depending on what you need to complete a specific task, you can even have it quickly added to or removed from your system.
To remove moisture from the air, a modular cartridge desiccant dryer uses a series of desiccant cartridges to ensure that the gas is free from any water vapor. You can easily purchase these components and replace damaged parts without requiring any changes to the machine itself.
For those who require larger amounts and have the floor space and money to spare, you may want to opt for twin tower dryers. However, if you only need a little, then a modular cartridge desiccant dryer is perfect for you.
Choosing the Right Size of Modular Cartridge Desiccant Dryer
Aside from considering different desiccant dryer prices on the market, it would be best if you considered the following when buying a new machine for your plant:
Inlet Air Temperature
An inlet air temperature is a measurement of how hot or cold the air inside an air compressor is. It is usually labeled in degrees Celsius (°C) or Fahrenheit (°F). For dryers of varying types, the usual standard is 100 °F or 38 °C. However, this is still subject to change depending on the specific information given with your dryer.
The inlet air temperature also significantly affects compressed air dryers. This is because the higher the temperature, the more water vapor the air can hold. This causes a reduction in capacity due to the additional moisture that the dryer has to remove. Similarly, a lower inlet temperature reduces the amount of water vapor the air can hold, which means that the machine will be able to dry the gas more quickly.
Inlet Air Pressure
The digit displayed by the inlet air pressure describes the density of the air at the inlet point of the compressor. Commonly measured in pounds per square inch (psi) or pounds per square inch gauge (psig), the usual number seen among dryers is 100 psig. However, some machines may display it as 7 barg.
Additionally, the inlet air pressure affects every air dryer because the lower it is, the higher the velocity of the gas moving through the machine. As a result, the device is less efficient in drying the air due to less contact time with the desiccant beads. On the other hand, a higher inlet air pressure decreases air velocity. This causes a longer contact time with the drying agent, enabling the device an improved drying capacity.
Ambient Air Temperature
The ambient air temperature is the warmth or coldness of the air in a given environment. It is measured with a thermometer and can be expressed in degrees Fahrenheit or Celsius. For modular cartridge desiccant dryers, the recommended number is 100 °F or 38 °C. As the ambient air temperature increases, so does the inlet air temperature. This means that the hotter the environment, the less efficient the cooling process, and vice versa.
A modular cartridge desiccant dryer machine can play a critical role in your business processes, and procuring the right size is vital to ensure that everything goes as planned. At Compresstech, we understand that buying machines for your company is a significant investment. Trust that our team of professionals will help you with any questions or concerns you may have. Feel free to reach out to us today!
How To Troubleshoot Common Problems With Modular Cartridge Desiccant Dryers
Although all types of desiccant dryers can withstand harsh conditions, they may also be affected by wear and tear over time. Here are some common problems with modular cartridge desiccant dryers and the ways to solve them:
Clogged Systems
Desiccant dryers may get clogged systems over time. If a drain fails to open or actuate when your machine is activated, then there is nowhere for the condensed water to escape. This liquid can eventually make its way to the pneumatic system and cause problems during future use. The most accurate representation one could compare it to is a clogged gutter.
One of the best ways you can fix this issue is by changing the mufflers of your air dryer. This way, you can improve the air quality your dryer is currently producing. Rather than investing in the replacement of a dew point controller or shuttle valves, you should contact an expert to replace the needed components.
Improper Dryer Size
An undersized air dryer can result in poor air quality, while an oversized one can waste a significant amount of energy and lead to unnecessary energy costs. Despite this, however, most people realize too late that they have a dryer that is too small or big for the job they have at hand.
Both temperature and pressure affect the water vapor content in the air. This is why compressed air dryers have correction factors specified by the manufacturer to determine how much a single machine can handle.
When choosing which correction factor to use, though, you should always have the worst-case scenario in mind. These numbers can usually be determined by taking a look at the data during the hotter and more humid summer months. If you want to calculate the right sized dryer for you, you need to divide the total flow by the total correction factor.
High Temperatures
Another common cause of modular cartridge desiccant dryer failure is high inlet and ambient temperatures. A regular dryer is known in the industry for having the three 100s: 100 psig, 100 °F inlet temperature, and 100 °F ambient temperature. Any changes in these variables can hinder the machine’s performance.
Since heat is considered a dryer’s worst enemy, make sure that your device is situated somewhere cool and away from the sun’s rays. It is also ideal that your machine is placed somewhere indoors so that harsh weather conditions don’t affect it as much.
If you’re currently experiencing any difficulties with the modular cartridge desiccant dryer you got from Compresstech, feel free to reach out to us today. Trust that we can help you determine what is causing the issue and fix it as soon as possible so you can utilize your device once more.
Where Can You Purchase Modular Cartridge Desiccant Dryers?
Finding a reliable modular cartridge desiccant dryer supplier in the Philippines can be difficult. Luckily, Compresstech has got you covered. We offer a comprehensive lineup of high-quality air treatment equipment that you can choose from. This includes products manufactured by Armstrong:
Conclusion
Modular cartridge dryers are innovative products that can save you time, money, and energy. They work by removing moisture from the air in a process called adsorption. This process occurs when the water molecules attach themselves to the surface of the desiccant material, which can be silica gel, activated alumina, or molecular sieves. The moisture is then released as vapor when heated or depressurized.
These machines can be used for a range of applications. To ensure that you have an air dryer that best fits your needs and requirements, you need to consult professionals to determine which model is right for you. Luckily, Compresstech has you covered. Rely on our team to provide you with expert advice regarding which dryer you should purchase. Do not hesitate to get in touch with us today!