Refrigerated Air dryers are used to remove moisture from the air. This reduces the amount of condensation that can build up in a property. The systems can vary in size according to the inside space that needs drying and the amount of condensation present. Many companies are now fitting these kinds of devices within their properties to help cut down on the problem of damp air.
What is Condensation?
Condensation is an enormous problem that can be costly to put right. The need to have energy-efficient buildings has made this an increasingly large issue. Condensation is now a significant issue in buildings, particularly in varying climates. It is always better to prevent condensation from forming in the first place rather than deal with the damage it causes.
Condensation happens when warm air hits a cold surface or when there is too much dampness in a home or business. When humid air touches a cold surface, droplets of water form on that surface. This happens often in the winter when a central heating system turns on in the mornings and evenings when it’s lower temperatures. Even though condensation isn’t a problem in and of itself, if property owners don’t take care of it, it can lead to damp spots where mold can grow. This can be bad for the health of people in the area and cause substantial damage to a home or business premises.
People are moving towards energy-conscious housing and office buildings. Many people now use energy-efficient ways to stop heat escaping from properties. It costs a lot to heat a building and make it comfortable for the inhabitants, and no one wants to lose that heat. Therefore, people tend to keep windows closed and block ventilation areas to prevent the colder outside air from coming in. These measures might include applying insulation to a building. This includes draft-proofing and double-glazing, and the blocking of chimneys and ventilation bricks. All of these measures decrease airflow and increase the humidity of the indoor air, which leads to condensation. If a property is suffering from condensation, there will be signs very quickly, such as:
- Steaming on windows and glass surfaces facing the outside.
- Wet walls, particularly exterior walls.
- General damp areas on walls.
- Wallpaper or surfaces may start peeling.
- There may be signs of mold growth in unaired places.
- There may be a musty smell on clothing.
- Black dots can appear on window frames.
- Soft furnishings and fabrics become more prone to mold and mildew and start to smell damp and unhealthy.
Depending upon how bad the problem is, it is usual to see one or all of these issues appearing and becoming obvious. Because airtight homes don’t have enough ventilation, there can be a lot of pollutants inside. This can cause problems like mold, damp, and condensation.
Health Issues with Condensation.
Some of these pollutants can cause serious health problems, like asthma. Asthma is a lung condition caused by spasms in the bronchi of the lungs. This makes breathing hard and is often linked to allergies and hypersensitivity. Asthma is most likely to start in childhood, but more people are at risk of getting it because the air quality inside is getting worse and worse.
People who live in places with a lot of mold often have trouble breathing. Some of the signs of asthma are having trouble breathing, a tight chest, coughing, and wheezing. Most of the time, these symptoms are mild, but if you are exposed to mold spores for a long time, they can become long-term. General problems with the lungs can sometimes lead to a more serious infection like the common cold. Again, if you’re exposed to mould spores for a long time, this infection can get worse and last longer. Some of the more specific signs of a respiratory infection include:
- mild fever-like symptoms.
- a blocked or runny nose.
- pain or pressure behind the face.
- a scratchy or sore throat.
- excessive sneezing.
Because of the health reasons and damage to buildings that can occur, it is essential to control condensation and dampness. There are a number of ways in which this problem can be addressed, but one of the most effective is by using a refrigerated air dryer.
What is a Refrigerated Air Dryer?
Technically, in many of these systems, compressed air dryers are special types of filter systems that remove water that is in the air. When air is compressed, its temperature goes up and any additions in it – mostly water vapor – become more concentrated. If you want to learn more, keep reading.
This makes the captured air both hot and humid. As the compressed air cools, the water vapor reaches a dew point and condenses in the tanks that are connected to the compressor. Following this process, the drier air can be returned to the local area while the water is held within the tank, where it can be drawn off and disposed of.
Compressed air dryers come in a variety of styles. These dryers are classified into two Fundamental types. The first includes coalescing, refrigerated, and deliquescent dryers. The second comprises desiccant, absorption, and membrane dryers. System performance is established at a low rate and dew point. With these, the flow rate may be measured in cubic feet per minute. The dew point is expressed as a temperature. These measures are typically used to define a system’s performance characteristics.
However, one of the most effective of these types of air driers is the refrigerated compressed air dryer. These are sometimes known as a refrigerant air dryer.
Refrigerated or refrigerant drying involves cooling compressed air. This allows a large amount of water to condense and separate. After cooling and packing, the compressed air is reheated to around room temperature. This allows the water to pack in the system
The heat exchange between incoming and outgoing compressed air lowers the incoming compressed air temperature. As a result, the required cooling capacity of the refrigerant circuit is reduced. A closed refrigerated system is used to cool the compressed air.
The intelligent control algorithms used to steer the refrigerant compressed air dryer can significantly reduce the power consumption of modern refrigerated dryers. Refrigerated air dryers are used for dew points ranging from +10 to +2 degrees Celsius.
What Are the Benefits of Using a Refrigerant Type Air Dryer?
There are several distinct positives to using a system such as a refrigerated air dryer for air compressor systems. These make them worthwhile and include:
- They are a huge health benefit. Because people can be badly affected by water in the atmosphere and the health issues that it presents, removal is essential. Cutting down on condensation has been shown to reduce illnesses such as asthma and respiratory problems dramatically.
- They are relatively cheap. Refrigerated air dryer equipment is fairly inexpensive and tends to have a small footprint. It can be installed in even quite small properties and offices. But larger systems are available and can easily cope with large areas that need air conditioning, such as warehouses and factories.
- They are cheap to run. Despite being an electrical device, a compressed air refrigerated system is usually low-cost. The refrigeration cycle is highly effective, adding to the low running costs.
- They are a low-maintenance option. Once installed, a compressed air refrigerated dryer can be left to work and does not need to be checked outside of routine service intervals. In many cases, the system will have an automated run-off for the collected water, and the compressor tank will empty automatically.
- They are efficient. Many modern systems can operate with a dew point of just 2 degrees Celsius, meaning that they can remove virtually all of the moisture from the air.
What is a Refrigerated Air Dryer Used for?
The most obvious use for this kind of equipment is the reduction in moisture in the air, making an area cleaner and healthier for people. But a refrigerant-type air dryer can be used for several other applications too.
- They prevent corrosion. Atmospheric water is a major problem for unprotected metal surfaces and can cause decay. A compressed-air refrigerated dryer can stop this from happening.
- They prevent water buildup in equipment. Many pieces of electronic equipment can be damaged with only a tiny amount of water in the air. Using a refrigerator air dryer can remove all of this water and prevent damage to sensitive equipment.
- They remove possible contaminated water from an area. Water is well-known for being home to some dangerous bacteria, such as legionella, which causes legionnaires disease. A compressed air dryer refrigeration system can remove this contaminated air to prevent this.
Refrigerated air dryers for air compressors are an ideal means of easily and quickly removing moisture from the air and surrounding areas. Because water being held in the air can be such a huge problem, as much as possible must be removed. The most effective and low-cost way of doing this is by using a specialist piece of equipment, such as a refrigerated air dryer, for compressor usage.
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