Atlas Copco Main working principle
During the compression process of compressed air, the water vapor in the air will condense into liquid water due to the increase in pressure and temperature changes. The water separator separates water in the following ways:
Centrifugal separation: Utilizing the centrifugal force generated by the high-speed rotation of the airflow, the denser water droplets are thrown towards the inner wall of the separator and accumulate before being discharged through the drainage valve.
Impact separation: Let the compressed air impact the baffles, and the sudden change in flow speed causes the water droplets to separate due to inertia.
Filter separation: Using special filter materials (such as fiberglass, metal mesh) to intercept tiny water droplets, further drying the air.
Adsorption separation: Some high-efficiency dryers use drying agents (such as molecular sieves, activated alumina) to adsorb moisture, suitable for scenarios with high requirements for dryness.
Main types
Centrifugal water separator: Simple structure, relying on centrifugal force to separate water, suitable for handling large flow of compressed air, with a separation efficiency of approximately 80%-90%.
Baffle-type water separator: Changes the airflow direction through multiple baffle levels, providing better separation effect than the centrifugal type, suitable for medium and low flow systems.
Adsorption dryer: Divided into heat-free regeneration and heat-regenerative types, using drying agents for deep dehydration, capable of reducing the dew point of compressed air to below -40℃, suitable for precision equipment.
Cryogenic dryer: Cools the compressed air to below the dew point, causing water vapor to condense into liquid water for separation, with a dew point typically reaching 3-10℃, suitable for general industrial scenarios.
Key components
Shell: A sealed container that accommodates the airflow and separation elements, usually made of metal.
Separation elements: Such as centrifugal blades, baffles, filter cores or drying agents, are the core for achieving water separation.
Drainage valve: Automatically or manually discharges the separated condensed water, common types include float-type and electronic timing drainage valves.
Inlet and outlet interfaces: Connect the exhaust pipe of the air compressor and downstream gas-using equipment, usually equipped with pressure gauges to monitor pressure.
Installation and maintenance tips
Installation location: Usually installed after the air compressor outlet and the after-cooler, ensuring that the compressed air is cooled before separation to improve efficiency.
Regular drainage: Check if the drainage valve is working properly to avoid accumulated condensed water affecting the separation effect.
Replacement of consumables: Filter-type or adsorption-type separators need to replace the filter core or drying agent (such as molecular sieves) regularly to prevent blockage or saturation.
Cleaning and maintenance: Regularly clean the interior of the shell to avoid impurities from depositing and affecting the airflow distribution.
Matching parameters: Select the appropriate specifications of the separator based on the air compressor displacement, working pressure and the dryness requirements of the gas-using equipment. Importance
If the moisture in the compressed air is not effectively removed, it may cause problems such as pipe corrosion, malfunction of pneumatic components, and moisture absorption of products (such as in the food and electronics industries), thereby increasing the maintenance costs of the equipment. Therefore, choosing an appropriate water separator is crucial for the stable operation of the compressed air system.
