Ingersoll Rand introduces desiccant dryers

An Ingersoll-Rand European Sales product story

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Nov 3, 2009

Ingersoll Rand has announced a range of desiccant dryers that includes two main configurations: heatless and with heated blowers.

In the heated blower version, the Energy Management System (EMS) is included as a standard feature, which can reduce operating costs.

Ingersoll Rand desiccant dryers are designed to eliminate costly production interruptions that can result from moisture.

All of the dryers use twin desiccant towers and strategically positioned valves for drying compressed air.

The basic difference between the two dryer technologies is the manner in which moisture is desorbed from the desiccant, also known as regeneration.

Heatless dryers use compressed air to purge the towers of moisture while heated blower dryers utilise externally heated ambient air.

Heatless dryers are lower in capital investment, but may be more expensive to operate because they require a portion of the dried compressed air to be diverted from the air system for desiccant regeneration.

Heated blower dryers require the highest initial capital investment due to the centrifugal blower, but with little or no diversion of compressed air from the system for regeneration, they offer significantly lower operating costs, according to the company.

Ingersoll Rand desiccant dryers have a low-profile design giving easy access to key maintenance points at operator levels for faster servicing and less downtime.

The lower silhouette also allows upright shipment and facilitates installation.

With manifolds angled toward the centre at operator level, the high-performance valves can be accessed for maintenance.

For example, a typical diaphragm valve in a heatless dryer can be rebuilt in less than 10 minutes, without removing the valve from the manifold.

Energy consumption is a major consideration for both heatless and blower desiccant dryers.

First, they are available with the Energy Management System.

This reduces purge air consumption by monitoring dryer performance in low demand situations.

While maintaining a constant dew point, EMS extends the dryer cycle so as to initiate the desiccant purge only when needed.

Second, on IB models (with blowers) the heater and blower are controlled by outlet regeneration temperature that shuts off to save electrical power once desiccant has been thoroughly regenerated.

Third, the solid-state soft starter limits the inrush current, reducing electricity consumption and making for a smooth start to extend motor life.

Strategically placed filters before and after drying cycle remove oil and contaminants to ensure that only clean, dried air exits the dryer.

Both heatless and heated blower dryers have several standard features to guarantee high quality operation as well as options to customise dryers to fit the needs of an air system.

The company has proposed 25 different models.

Every dryer features an IP54 package (IP65 option), providing increased protection of electrical components, controls and displays.

Dryer operation can be run with 50Hz, 60Hz and pneumatic (IL models only) power supplies.

They are equipped with a digital electronic multi-function controller to control valve switching as well as monitor dryer operations.

They are Modbus compatible and have an LCD display.