Compressed air dryers—also referred to as pneumatic air dryers—are essential systems used to eliminate water vapor from compressed air. These devices are commonly found in industrial and commercial pneumatic setups, where dry air is crucial for protecting machinery and ensuring reliable operation.
Compressing air naturally increases the concentration of both moisture and contaminants. Without effective moisture removal, this buildup can harm equipment and compromise system performance. Air dryers play a key role in maintaining equipment efficiency, preventing operational interruptions, and extending the service life of pneumatic tools and components.
The importance of air dryers
Excess moisture in pneumatic systems can lead to corrosion, component wear, and higher energy consumption. If left unchecked, it can cause equipment failure, resulting in expensive repairs or replacements. Pneumatic air dryers are specifically designed to control humidity levels within the system, minimizing maintenance needs and avoiding costly downtime.
Types of Air Dryers:
Refrigerant dryers, also known as refrigerated air dryers, operate by cooling the compressed air, which transforms water vapor into liquid form (condensation). The condensed moisture is then separated and drained from the system. Once dried, the air is reheated to ambient temperature before continuing through the air network.
Desiccant dryers, or adsorption dryers, rely on a moisture-absorbing material called desiccant to extract water vapor from compressed air. These heatless systems typically consist of two towers: while one dries the air, the other regenerates the desiccant material. This alternating process ensures continuous drying without interruption.
IDG Series, Membrane Air Dryer
SMC's Membrane air dryer series IDG is available in a single unit or combination unit style. IDG/M models combine a mist separator and micro mist separator with a single unit. IDG/V models combine a regulator with the IDG/M model. Options available include one-touch fitting exhaust of purge air. If purged air is not exhausted around membrane air dryer, air is exhausted with tubing away from its dryer.
A reliable, efficient and an economical alternative to pressure swing and refrigerant dryer technologies.
Compact and lightweight
No power supply required
Discharged air noise reduced with in-built silencer
No vibration or heat discharge
Modular design for additional filtration
Membrane air dryer series
Single unit style
Various sizes available
Port sizes: 1/8" to 1/2"
Note
Flow rates measured as outlet/purge l/min
Dry Air Systems
Compressed air is an essential power source that is widely used throughout industry. This safe, powerful and reliable utility can be the most important part of a production process. However compressed air will contain water, dirt, wear particles, bacteria and even degraded lubricating oil which all mix together to form an unwanted abrasive sludge. This sludge, often acidic, rapidly wears tools and pneumatic machinery, block valves and orifices causing high maintenance and costly leaks. It also corrodes piping systems and can bring a production process to an extremely expensive standstill. Only compressed air that is totally clean and dry will ensure maximum savings.
The SMC Peltier-type Chiller HEC Series offers precise control of temperature of a heat source or process fluid. Generates little vibration, and is refrigerant-free and environmentally friendly. It can control the temperature of the heat source by using the external temperature sensor (sold separately).
Compact and low vibration design
Refrigerant free
The SMC Membrane air dryer series IDG is available in a single unit or combination unit style. IDG/M models combine a mist separator and micro mist separator with a single unit. IDG/V models combine a regulator with the IDG/M model. Options available include one touch fitting exhaust of purge air. If purged air is not exhausted around membrane air dryer, air is exhausted with tubing away from its dryer.
RoHS compliant
Single unit style
The SMC IDFA series refrigerated air dryer in compliance with the Montreal Protocol Regulations, uses refrigerants R134a to prevent any damage to the earth’s ozone layer. It has rated inlet air temperature of 35°C.
Improved corrosion resistance with the use of stainless steel heat exchanger
Tolerant of high temperature environment
Energy-saving design
The SMC IDFA series of Refrigerated Compressed Air Dryers guarantee dry and qualitative compressed air which prolongs the lifetime of your equipment and ensures a superior production quality. Water vapour is eliminated, avoiding corrosion in your compressed air network and tools. All in all this lowers your maintenance costs and improves your overall production process for complete peace of mind.
This model can process up to 48 cfm / 1359 litres per minute, and we have numerous other sizes available to suit every application.
Power supply: 230V AC.
Good cooling capacity: 1000/1400/1900 W.
Energy Saving by Triple Control.
Temperature Stability: ± 2.0 ºC.
Set temperature range: 10 to 30 ºC.
Maximum ambient temperature: 40 ºC.
Low noise design: -57 dB.