Why Do I Have Water in my Compressor Lines in the Winter When I Have a Dryer?
The
ambient temperature in an air compressor’s environment can greatly affect your air compressor’s performance. All air compressors will
generate some amount of water, but depending on inlet air conditions some can produce large amounts of water. Making sure your air
compressor is properly ridding itself of excess water is crucial to keeping your machine running properly.
Many air compressors are equipped with water separators that remove water from the airstream. However, the air leaving your compressor is
typically warmer than the ambient air around your compressor. As that warm air cools inside of the piping, any moisture will condense and
build up in the piping that needs to be removed. This is when your dryer takes over, by cooling down that warm air to 35°F and removing the
condensation. However, if your pipes cool down to 35°F as well, this is when you will run into excess water in your pipes. Winter weather
around this temperature can pose the problem of excess water in your compressor’s pipes. In some cases (mainly colder climates), a desiccant
dryer may need to be used to drop the dew point lower to avoid any water.
If you are using a dryer but are noticing a considerable amount of water in your lines, there are a few common areas you can check:
Check and make sure the dryer bypass valve is closed.
Check to make sure that the drains on both your compressor water separator and your dryer water separator are both draining properly, if
available.
If you are using a desiccant dryer, make sure the purge exhaust mufflers are not plugged.
Feel for a temperature difference between your inlet and outlet air. If there is no difference, you may need to contact us.
Make sure your dryer is not being overloaded by a higher inlet temperature than it is rated for. Rising temperatures create more water vapor
in the inlet air and some dryers cannot process higher amounts of vapor in a short amount of time.
Although colder ambient temperatures are usually better for your compressor, winter climate can also affect the amount of condensation and
overall water in your compressor’s lines. It is always important to regularly check for common condensation issues on your compressor,
especially during harsher seasons.
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Who we are and how Ash Air can help your business!
Ash Air has been around in New Zealand since 1979, and we’ve grown into a nationwide company with international support and a
reputation for quality and reliability.We look after all things compressed air for your business!
Reciprocating, Screw, air compressors
Vacuum pumps
Nitrogen
An extensive line of air treatment components
Ash Air's range of Chicago Pneumatic, Alup, Pneumatech, and Quincy compressors are used extensively around the world in industries
ranging from oil and gas to food, automotive and farming, and we bring you these world class compressors here in the land of the long white
cloud.Our technicians are compressed air equipment experts and are dedicated to addressing customer needs. Supported by a 13 locations
nationwide, Ash Air offers one of the widest selections of compressed air equipment and parts available today in New Zealand.
Reliability and Efficiency
With Ash Air compressors, you can count on reliability and high performance for even the most demanding applications. We focus our
efforts on the following:
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