How to effectively remove moisture from compressed air

Due to the temperature difference between the air collected at the compressor's intake and the compressed air discharged from the exhaust port after compression, a significant amount of condensate water inevitably forms along with minor oil and impurities. These contaminants are settled and discharged through the drain port. Therefore, appropriately employing post-treatment equipment to purify these compressed gases and obtain clean compressed air is an essential component in pneumatic systems.

This process typically involves equipment such as air storage tanks, filters, dryers, and gas pipelines. The storage tank removes impurities like water and oil from the air. Filters are selected based on specific quality requirements, with appropriate precision and installation positions chosen to eliminate fine particles and contaminants. Dryers reduce moisture content in compressed air, while pipelines ensure the safe delivery of purified compressed air to end-users.

1. Select post-processing equipment as needed

For example, the number of filters and their installation positions in compressed air systems vary depending on specific gas quality requirements. Standard configurations include filters with 3μm, 1μm, and 0.01μm filtration precision. Additionally, specialized filters such as oil separators, sterilization filters, and activated carbon filters are used to meet particular needs.

2. Drainage at the bottom of the gas tank

In gas storage tanks, airborne impurities undergo sedimentation and separation processes, with most water, oil, and dust being removed. However, these contaminants still require periodic discharge from the tank's bottom. Historically, manual drainage methods were commonly used, but their frequent manual operation proved not only cumbersome but also costly, leading to their gradual phase-out. Nowadays, most factories have adopted automatic condensate drain systems that continuously and promptly discharge condensate while ensuring zero air leakage.

3. Reasonable design of pipeline

Typically, air compressor piping connects branch pipes to the main pipe's tee fitting. This configuration causes condensate in the main pipe to flow through the branch pipes to the air consumption point, resulting in excessive moisture content at the terminal end. To address this, operators should instead draw air from above the main pipe and incorporate condensate drainage points in the main piping system. Additionally, installing steam-water separators and dedicated air drainage valves is recommended.