Consider energy efficient dryers for utility savings
Author : Richard Moore of Parker Hannifin
26 September 2012
Dryers are often installed in compressed air systems to minimise problems of corrosion and microbiological growth created by water vapour in the air stream.
This is especially important if high quality air is required, for example, in food or pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Dryers can use large amounts of energy (especially if they are poorly maintained). Indeed, drying costs can sometimes be as high as 80% of total operational costs.
Although there are a number of different types of dryer available, one of the most efficient uses adsorption technology.
An adsorption, or desiccant dryer, consists of two desiccant filled chambers, one drying the air while the other is undergoing regeneration, with a small volume of dried air from the drying chamber being used as purge air.
Recent systems such as modular PNEUDRI desiccant air dryers from Parker are now fitted with Dew point Dependent Switching (DDS). This effectively eliminates unnecessary desiccant regeneration cycles and ensures that energy consumed is directly proportional to the actual airflow, temperature and moisture loading - not the rated capacity of the dryer. This provides energy savings, which can be in excess of 60%.