Refrigerated Dryers use a cooling system similar to that of a home air conditioning unit.
The dryer cools the air to 50 degrees, condensing moisture in the air and collecting it in a separator to be drained.
To prevent condensation on the pipes, the air is then reheated before being discharged.
There are 2 types of refrigerated dryers: Cycling and Non-Cycling.
If you need clean, dry air for air-tools, painting, manufacturing, or food processing, nothing beats a refrigerated dryer.
Moist air can do major damage to your tools in less time than you'd expect. It can also cause blemishes in paint finish and in manufacturing products. If used in food processing, warm moist air and other contaminants could foster a breeding ground for food-borne pathogens like bacterial growth and viruses.
A refrigerated dryer will also naturally scrub the air, so your filters will last longer and increase your system's efficiency, minimize downtime and increasing productivity. By insisting on the best quality air dryer and filters, you'll enhance your entire air compressor system from start to finish.
Cycling dryers are designed to cycle the refrigeration on and off as needed to conserve energy and prevent excessive refrigeration when not being frequently used.
Unless you're going to be consistently using your compressor at full capacity, this is the style you'll want. It'll prevent problems from occurring during periods of low compressor usage.
Non-cycling dryers' refrigeration stays on continuously while the compressor is running.
These are less expensive than cycling dryers, but should only be used for applications where the compressor will be constantly running at full capacity. Periods of low compressor usage can cause a non-cycling dryer to freeze up and experience other problems.