Almost any compressed air system extracts moisture from the air, which can contaminate products and cause corrosion in valuable equipment. Adding a desiccant air dryer to your compressor setup can prevent many of these issues by extracting moisture before condensation damages your tools or materials. Here is a quick guide to these innovative compressor parts and how they can lower your maintenance costs.

What Are Desiccant Air Dryers?

Desiccant air dryers are designed for applications that involve extremely low temperatures or materials with no tolerance for moisture. These compressor parts use special materials that naturally absorb water from the air, such as silica or activated aluminum beads. As the air goes through the system, it moves over the desiccants, which remove water and leave behind bone-dry air.

How Do Desiccant Air Dryers Work?

While designs differ from one manufacturer to the next, most consist of two towers or tanks filled with desiccant material. To keep moisture levels consistent, the system switches back and forth between the two towers. When the desiccant in one becomes too saturated, the system automatically moves to the other so the first can dry out. Some systems use hot air to dry the desiccant, while others might use the warmth from the compressor itself.

Common Applications for Desiccant Dryers

The extremely low dew point desiccant dryers can achieve makes them ideal for precision metalwork and other projects that can’t tolerate moisture. These compressor parts are often found in aeronautic and electronic manufacturing plants, where even a small amount of water vapor can destroy delicate materials. They’re also essential for any process that requires sub-zero temperatures.

With a massive inventory of parts and industry-leading expertise, Parts Engineering Company ships high-quality compressor parts to businesses across the US. Whether you’re shopping for desiccant dryers, large-scale industrial compressors, or lubricants, you can depend on their staff to help find the best equipment for the job. Visit their website to browse their selection of desiccant dryers, get helpful tips and advice on Twitter, or call (877) 797-7326 to place an order.