Why is it Important to Dry Compressed Air?
Drying the output air is very important if you want to avoid problems in the compressed air system. Learn more about why drying is needed and how it is done.
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Drying Compressed Air: The Aftercooler
All atmospheric air contains some amount of water vapor. When air is compressed, the water concentration increases. To avoid future problems in the compressor installation, the compressed air needs to be treated. In this article we introduce you to one of the first steps in drying thr air: the aftercooler.
What is an aftercooler?
An aftercooler is a heat exchanger that cools the hot compressed air to precipitate the water that otherwise would condensate in the pipe system. It is water-cooled or air-cooled, is generally equipped with a water separator with automatic drainage and should be placed close to the compressor. Approximately 80–90% of the precipitated condensation water is collected in the aftercooler's water separator. A common value for the temperature of the compressed air after passing through the aftercooler is approx. 10˚C above the coolant temperature, but can vary depending on the type of cooler. An after-cooler is used in virtually all stationary installations. In most cases, an after-cooler is built into modern compressors.
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