Storage molecular sieve Cooling Method

The storage tank cooling method of drying compressed air with molecular sieve uses an air receiver tank to turn some of the moisture that may be present in the air into water droplets as the air comes from the compressor or carries over from the aftercooler.

When air leaving the aftercooler enters the receiver tank, it comes into contact with the colder steel wall of the tank, which is usually at ambient temperature. At this point, moisture starts to condense out of the compressed air as the air chills.

If the air stays in the tank for enough time, the air temperature in the tank will match the ambient temperature, and no more moisture will condense out. At this point, the air in the receiver tank is 100% saturated at a dewpoint equal to atmospheric temperature, which results in water formation.

The water must be drained out of the air receiver tank after use. The storage of condensation and moisture in air receiver tanks leads to the formation of rust and scale on the inside of the tank, which can become loose and get carried downstream in the outgoing air. The water can also freeze in colder temperatures. This rust, scale, and ice can cause blockage problems in air-using components and premature wear on filters.

Mobile air compressor systems with an air receiver tank automatically employ the storage tank cooling method, which is an inexpensive and simple solution. However, the efficiency of this method will depend on the amount of time air is stored in the tank before use, and some applications will still require an aftercooler.