Why Is There Still Plenty of Water Even After Equipping the Air Compressor with a Dryer

Aftertreatment equipment for screw air compressors mainly includes air receiver tanks, air dryers and filters. 

Dry compressed air ensures trouble-free operation of the air compressor system and production processes.

The air dryer is designed to remove condensed water from compressed air and deliver dry and clean compressed air. However, 

water may still remain in compressed air even with an air dryer installed. This phenomenon can be attributed to the following five factors:

1. High ambient humidity around the compressor station

   Atmospheric air naturally contains moisture. During air compression, high temperature inside the compressor evaporates water into water vapor, 

   Therefore, the operating environment of the air compressor should maintain low humidity. Alternatively, drain the condensed water before startup.

2. which flows out together with pressurized air. When the unit shuts down, temperature drops and the water vapor condenses into liquid water.

3. Malfunction of aftertreatment drying equipment

   Conventional refrigerated air dryers provide a pressure dew point of 3°C. If the on-site temperature is below 3°C, water formation is inevitable. In this case, 

4. a heated purge desiccant air dryer is recommended. It can achieve a pressure dew point of -20°C and prevent water entrainment.

5. Insufficient capacity of the installed aftertreatment drying equipment

   Manufacturers normally select dryers based on average air consumption. If instantaneous peak air demand is high, the drying equipment will be overloaded, resulting in water carried in compressed air.
6. Water accumulation inside the air receiver tank

   The air receiver tank can trap condensed water. Excessive accumulated water remains inside if draining is neglected. Regularly open the drain valve at the bottom of the air receiver tank to discharge water.