Compresstech Resources, Inc.

Dew Point Meters: The Key to Quality Compressed Air

Dew Point Meters: The Key to Quality Compressed Air

Introduction

Maintaining compressed air quality is essential in various industries. Any compromise can lead to contamination of goods, production standstill, and loss of products. According to the compressed air standards published by the International Standards Organization (ISO), the dew point is one of the most important factors that workers should keep an eye on when observing compressed air quality.

The dew point is a critical parameter that dictates the temperature at which water vapor in the air condenses into liquid. Whenever ambient air is compressed in the system, its temperature increases, allowing it to hold more water vapor. But, as the air cools, this excess vapor can condense and form water droplets that can damage and corrode metal equipment and potentially ruin the end products of the companies.

Dew point issues are common, which is why it is important to have a dew point meter to maintain the ideal operational levels.

In this article, Compresstech Resources, Inc. explores the importance of compressed air quality, the industries that depend on it, how dew point meters function, and tips on choosing a reliable dew point meter supplier in the Philippines.

 

Why Compressed Air Quality Matters in Compressed Systems

Maintaining compressed air quality is important to ensure the longevity and reliability of the air compressor system. These pneumatic machines often contain moisture, oil, and suspended particles, which can cause damage to industrial equipment and contaminate products.

Dew point measurement instruments in the Philippines can help you prevent leaks and system failures by detecting the point in temperature at which dew starts to form. This enables proactive maintenance to ensure the moisture levels in the system are within acceptable limits.

 

What Are Dew Point Meters and How Do They Work?

A dew point meter uses a sensor as its main component to detect the moisture content in compressed air systems. The most common sensors are chilled mirrors, polymer, and Quartz-Crystal Microbalance (QCM).

Chilled mirror sensors operate by cooling a reflective mirror surface until water vapor condenses into it. This condensation is then detected by the dew point meter using an optical system that monitors the changes in the light reflected in the mirror.

Meanwhile, polymer sensors detect changes in electrical properties to indicate humidity and moisture levels. It comprises three layers:

  • Protective Layer – This layer prevents impurities other than water from entering the polymer layer.
  • Polyimide Layer – This absorbs the water vapor, triggering its dielectric constant to change. The change affects the capacitance between electrodes, allowing it to generate electrical signals that vary with moisture levels.
  • Base Layer – The base acts as the insulated substrate that isolates detected electrical signals, ensuring detected capacitance is solely due to moisture adsorption.

Lastly, Quartz-Crystal Microbalance (QCM) sensors use the piezoelectric property of quartz to detect changes in their surface mass. In a dew point meter with a QCM sensor, quartz is often coated with an active moisture adsorption layer that gathers moisture from the gas passing over it. As moisture is adsorbed, the quartz’s mass changes, altering the resonance frequency of the crystal, which the dew point reader detects electronically.

When looking for a dew point meter from suppliers in the Philippines, you might encounter devices that use a combination of sensors. At Compresstech, we offer dew point meters primarily from SUTO, a reputable global brand. Their products are made with both polymer and QCM sensors for accurate readings.

 

Industries That Rely on Air Quality

Several industries rely on high-quality compressed air to ensure optimal performance and product integrity. These include the following:

Food and Beverage

Compressed air is utilized in packaging and processing consumable products. It is used in cleaning, conveying, cutting, and shaping food, which is why food and beverage industries need to have quality compressed air. Any contamination can lead to spoilage, health risks, and noncompliance with health regulations.

Dew point analyzers from suppliers in the Philippines can help companies maintain the required dryness level in compressed air, ensuring the food and beverage products they manufacture are safe and hygienic.

Mining

Compressed air is a dependable power source for mining operations. It is often used for blasting equipment, mining tools, and pneumatic instruments. While air compressor contaminants might not affect the products of mining industries, high moisture levels can damage tools and equipment, leading to increased repair and replacement costs.

Purchasing a dew point meter from a reliable supplier in the Philippines could ensure a longer life span for mining equipment, resulting in a more productive and efficient mining operation.

Semiconductors and Electronics

The manufacturing process of semiconductors and electronics requires ultraclean and dry compressed air to ensure product quality. Aside from being a reliable power source for plant equipment, compressed air provides a nonobstructive, nonabrasive, and low-impact way to remove stubborn debris from sensitive electronic materials.

The presence of moisture in compressed air can lead to defective products and even circuit problems. To ensure you do not encounter these issues, you can use a dew point tester from suppliers in the Philippines to monitor and control the moisture level of your air compressor systems.

Pharmaceutical

Pharmaceutical manufacturers often use air compressors for mixing, coating, and packaging medications. During the packaging process, the compressed air can have direct contact with the product, as it is utilized to remove dust particles before sealing the medications.

Contaminated air can compromise the purity and safety of these products, resulting in bigger and more expensive legal issues to deal with. Pharmaceutical manufacturers need dew point meters from trusted suppliers in the Philippines to ensure that moisture will not contaminate their products during the manufacturing process.

Plastics and Packaging

The packaging industry relies on compressed air for molding and extrusion, allowing manufacturers to create more precise and varied containers. It is imperative to ensure no moisture is in the compressed air to avoid compromising the product quality.

Any sign of contamination can lead to significant financial losses, product recalls, repairs, and damage to the company’s image, which is why it is best to actively monitor dew points in air compressor systems.

 

Turn to a Reliable Dew Point Meter Supplier in the Philippines

Selecting a dependable dew point meter supplier in the Philippines is crucial for maintaining the air quality and performance of your pneumatic system. Compresstech Resources, Inc. is a trusted distributor of air compressor tools and accessories. Our product line includes dew point meters created by global brands like SUTO, which is a brand known for creating industrial-grade measurement and monitoring tools for compressed air and gas systems.

By purchasing your dew point meters from Compresstech Resources, Inc., you can ensure the authenticity and performance of your unit. Procure a high-quality dew point meter today and connect with our product experts for guidance in selecting the right model for your application.

 

Frequently Asked Questions About Dew Point Meters

What Is a Normal Dew Point Range?

The average dew point of compressed air systems is between 50°F and 94°F. However, this may change depending on the application and required air quality. General industrial applications have a dew point of 50°F, while more delicate applications such as electronics manufacturing and food processing require a dew point range of -40°F or even -100°F.

What Is the Difference Between Humidity and Dew Point?

Humidity refers to the amount of moisture present in the air. It can be expressed as relative (the percentage of moisture relative to the maximum amount of water that air can hold at a given temperature) or absolute (the actual amount of moisture). Meanwhile, dew point is the temperature level at which air becomes saturated with moisture and begins to condense.

While both measurements are important in compressed air maintenance, the dew point directly indicates the air dryness level. By ensuring that the compressors are operating within the recommended dew point level, you can avoid moisture from precipitating and triggering corrosion on metallic machinery.

What Is the Range of a Dew Point Meter?

The range of a dew point meter varies depending on the model. Most industrial dew point sensors, like the SUTO S520 dew point meter, can measure dew points from -100 °C Td up to +20 °C Td. When procuring a dew point meter, make sure that it meets the requirements of your dryers. For example, desiccant dryers are commonly tested to a limit of 40 °C for ISO 8573-1 Class 2 compliance, which makes a dew point meter with a range of -50 °C to +120 °C perfect for this application.

 

Conclusion

High-quality compressed air is essential in various industrial applications. Understanding how to maintain it will help you ensure operational efficiency, maintain product integrity, and protect plant equipment from corrosion and rust. With moisture as one of the primary contaminants of compressed air, it is essential to have a dew point monitor to help you regulate the moisture levels in your air compressor systems.

Find reliable dew point measurement instruments in the Philippines through Compresstech Resources, Inc. For inquiries about this product and other air compressor tools, feel free to contact us.