Is the freezing dryer used with an air compressor?

Technical instructions on the use of refrigeration dryers and air compressors

As the core post-treatment equipment of the compressed air system, the freeze dryer is designed to form a complete air supply solution with the air compressor. By deeply removing moisture in the compressed air, it ensures that the terminal air equipment obtains a clean air source that meets the process requirements. The following specifications are hereby made on its supporting relationship and technical value:

1. The necessity of supporting use

1. Water removal mechanism：
   • During the process of compressing air by the air compressor, the increase in air temperature leads to an increase in water vapor saturation content, and liquid condensed water is formed after cooling. Freeze dryers use refrigeration technology to reduce the temperature of compressed air to below the pressure dew point (usually 2-10℃), allowing water to fully condense and discharge it through an automatic drain valve.
   • Experimental data shows that the water content of compressed air without drying can reach 20-30g/m³, and can drop to below 1.23 g/m³ after being processed by a freeze dryer, meeting most industrial gas requirements.
2. System protection functions：
   • Prevent corrosion on the inner wall of compressed air pipes due to condensed water and extend the service life of the pipeline system.
   • Avoid sealing failure due to moisture intrusion in pneumatic actuators (such as cylinders and pneumatic motors) and reduce equipment failure rate.

2. Typical application scenarios

1. General industrial field：
   • Mechanical processing: Protect precision tools such as pneumatic drilling machines and sandblasting equipment to reduce the decline in processing accuracy caused by moisture.
   • Packaging and printing: Prevent clogging of pneumatic conveying systems and ensure smooth conveying of films, paper and other materials.
2. special technological requirements：
   • Food and medicine: Meet sterile air source standards and avoid the growth of microorganisms in humid environments.
   • Electronics manufacturing: Provide dry air source for SMT mounters and wave soldering equipment to prevent oxidation of circuit boards.

3. Selection and configuration principles

1. throughput matching：
   • Select the air compressor according to 1.3 times the displacement capacity to ensure the processing capacity during peak periods of air consumption. For example, a 10m³/min air compressor requires a 13m³/min freeze dryer.
   • For multiple air compressors in parallel systems, it is recommended to centrally configure large freeze dryers to reduce duplicate investment in equipment.
2. Pressure dew point setting：
   • Select according to terminal equipment requirements, 3℃ dew point is selected for ordinary working conditions, and-20℃ dew point is selected for precision processing.
   • In high-humidity environments (relative humidity>80%) or long-distance transportation scenarios, the pressure dew point needs to be reduced by 5-10 ° C to compensate for pipe condensation.

4. Key points of system integration

1. Installation location requirements：
   • The freeze dryer should be installed at the rear end of the air compressor and form a complete post-treatment system with the air storage tank and precision filter.
   • The equipment spacing must meet the maintenance space requirements, and more than 1.5 meters of operating channels must be reserved at the front and rear ends.
2. Pipe connection specifications：
   • The connection is made of stainless steel or high-pressure hose, and the pipe diameter must be selected to meet the flow requirements and control the pressure drop.
   • Key nodes are equipped with ball valves and pressure gauges to facilitate isolation of equipment during maintenance.

5. Operation and maintenance standards

1. Daily inspection content：
   • Check the pressure and temperature of the refrigeration system every 2 hours, and record the temperature difference between the inlet and outlet of the evaporator.
   • Drain condensate from the water storage tank every day and observe changes in displacement to judge the system load.
2. Regular maintenance items：
   • Replace the refrigerant filter every 2000 hours of operation and replenish the refrigerant every 4000 hours.
   • The heat exchanger is cleaned every year to remove fouling to improve heat exchange efficiency.

It is recommended that enterprises establish a compressed air quality monitoring system to implement online monitoring of compressed air pressure dew point, oil content, particle size and other parameters at key stations. For continuous operation systems, dual freeze dryer redundant design can be configured to ensure air supply reliability. During the equipment selection stage, professional compressed air system design should be carried out based on the technical requirements and environmental conditions of the gas equipment.