Dry compressed air keeps lubricants from being washed away from air tools, cylinders, air motors, and valves extending product life and reducing maintenance. It reduces distribution system corrosion that will increase pressure drop and operational costs, generate pipe scale, cause leaks, and require premature replacement. It also reduces product contamination in applications like, mixing, conveying, agitation, cooling, or product blow down. It is absolutely necessary for paint and speciality coating applications, laboratories and medical/dental usage.
A refrigerated dryer delivers a dew point not lower than approximately 35 °F (2 °C). This is sufficient for the majority of processes.
A regenerative dryer delivers a dew point of -40°F (-40°C). This low dewpoint is necessary for instrument quality air and for moisture critical applications. They must also be used if your compressed air supply is subject to freezing conditions. They are also available with dewpoints as low as −100°F (−73°C)
Memrane dryers are the least expensive upfront alternative for drying the compressed air. However they use a large percentage of the air as purge (as much as 50%) which can make them less cost effective over the long term. They can offer dew points down to -40°F (-40°C).