Component Related Documentation

The term "desiccant dryer" refers to a broad class of air dryers. Other terms commonly used are single tower deliquescent air dryer and twin tower regenerative air dryer, and to a lesser extent the adsorption air dryer. Compressed air is passed through a pressure vessel filled with an adsorbent media such as activated alumina, silica gel, molecular sieve or other desiccant material. Some desiccants can bring the dewpoint of the air down to -40 degrees Celsius or below. This means that the air will not condense water until the compressed air is cooled to -40 degrees Celsius. Note that -40°C is equal to -40°F.

Safety Related Notes

Before working on this machine, perform lockout-tagout procedures per the rules of your plant. Determine the sources of energy on this machine – electrical, pneumatic and hydraulic – and release or vent sources of stored energy – electrical capacitors, air receivers, and hydraulic accumulators. Shut off sources of power – electrical, pneumatic and hydraulic. Safely block mechanical sources of energy such as loaded springs and loaded machine members, or safely position the machine members so they are unloaded and springs are not under tension. Beware of hot hydraulic fluid and hot surfaces which can cause burns. Never “crack a hydraulic or pneumatic fitting” to check for the presence of stored energy. Hydraulic fluid injection injuries, as well as injection injuries from many other fluids, are extremely serious and must be treated immediately by medical personnel familiar with this type of injury. Loss of body parts or death may result from improperly treated fluid injection injuries! Never use your hands to feel for a hydraulic leak! Never use compressed air to blow dust off yourself or someone else – there is risk of an air injection injury. Review the schematics and think before proceeding to work on the machine to ensure you have made the machine safe to work on.