Getting an air compressor comes with a lot of problems. The biggest one is the moisture in the pipes, tanks, and elsewhere in an air compressor. This can cause corrosion, destroy valves and pneumatic system, and leads to a reduction inefficiency. Therefore one needs to ensure that water is not prevalent in an air compressor. Complete elimination is impractical however you can remove most of it which is desirable.
Don’t worry about the malfunctioning and reduced efficiency of your air compressor because we are here to assist you? In this guide on how to remove water from the air compressor, we have extensively and thoroughly described all the methods and ways which will aid in the removal of water. This can be accomplished through steps. This includes mechanical separation methods and others. Let’s dive in to get the issue resolved.
(Full Guide) Remove Water from Air Compressor?
1. Tank Drainage
Tank drainage is crucial to complete water removal. Therefore, it is important that you know how to properly accomplish this step. Moisture condenses the most in the air tank. After the air passes through the compressor, its pressure is increased and so is its temperature. The pump enhances both of these. Therefore, the air emerging out of the pump is warmer than the outside environment. Therefore, vapors of the water get mixed with the air. It remains there and as it makes its way to the air tank, it is subjected to lower temperature. Due to that, it condenses, leaving behind the water droplets.
Therefore, the first and foremost action plan to keep the water out of the air compressor is proper drainage of the air tank. This can be done regularly to avoid the accumulation leading to malfunctioning and damage of the parts. One can use the drain valve on the air tank to accomplish the removal of water. The valve is manual. If you opt for the valve method, you need to make sure that you do this once every day.
However, there are other advanced methods too which eliminate the need of you personally drain the tank. The automatic valves, as well as pneumatic valves, accomplish this themselves. They perform this due to sensors that detect water rising to a certain level. As soon as the water reaches that defined limit, they automatically drain it by opening. These advanced methods can reduce your labor and effort and are also more efficient. They respond to the sensor limits therefore, you can expect the timings to be accurate.
However, you need to know that draining the tank through drainage tanks will not eliminate the water vapors suspended in the air. Their job is to prevent excessive water removal from the air tanks. The valves can benefit greatly due to their superior action contributing to less water accumulation. Therefore, it is highly advised to adopt this practice.
2. Water Separator
The water separator is the next on the water removal process. This process falls under the category of mechanical separation. It is thorough and very crucial to the whole process. Water separators come already installed in some of the air compressors while in sone you have to install. These play a very important role. They are also termed filtration separators. These separators have a close resemblance to the working of oil separators. They follow the same principle as the in-line separators.
The working of the water separator is purely mechanical. It employs the use of centrifugal force which pushes the water droplets out of the air. The air is made to circulate at high velocity in circles and a large amount of water is removed. It is stated that around 50 percent of the water stranded in the air molecules gets eliminated. There are other stages too that further assist in the removal of water.
3. Air Dryers- Refrigerated
In order for the complete removal of water from the air compressor, we are to take help from the refrigerated air dryers. This is a highly sophisticated technology that is advanced and assists greatly in the process. This works by making the environment cooler. Therefore the air also gets cooler resultantly. The temperatures are dropped down to 40F. When the temperature of the air decreases, it releases additional water as the result of condensation. This is how water is removed through refrigerated air dryers.
The water is accumulated in a tank which is then removed by the valves. Dry air which is remaining is then subjected to high temperature so that it is appropriate for the cycle to continue.
4. Air Dryers- Desiccant
Desiccant air dryers are used so that the air is completely dried. This comes under the category of chemical process which ensures that the removal of water is complete and thorough. Desiccant is a substance in a solid-state that reacts with water. Doing so makes a strong, unbreakable bond and takes water along. This is how water suspended in the air is removed, leaving back the completely dry air. This requires the application of heat and the process takes place in a tower. Therefore, the overall cost of the process increases. However, it results in complete and thorough elimination of water which is desired for certain applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What causes the water in a compressor?
The warm air is at a higher temperature than the conditions prevailing outside. Therefore, this air will release some water as a result of condensation.
2. What device is used to remove water from a compressed air system?
Water separators are devices that are used to remove the water from the compressed air system.
3. What is condensate in the compressor?
Condensate is basically the byproduct you get as the result of all the operations of the air compressor. It consists of water containing particulates and other hydrocarbons.