Compressed Air Dryers
Water is the most common contaminant in compressed air. A compressed air dryer removes it before it can rust your pipework, damage tools and machines or spoil your product. We supply, install and service refrigerated and desiccant air dryers across NSW.
Refrigerated or desiccant?
| Refrigerated air dryer | Desiccant air dryer | |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | Chills the air so the water condenses and drains away | Passes the air through a desiccant that adsorbs the moisture |
| Pressure dew point | About 3°C | Much lower, such as -40°C |
| Best for | Most workshops, factories and general industry | Outdoor pipework, cold environments and sensitive processes |
| Running cost | Lower | Higher |
Chicago Pneumatic CPX refrigerated air dryers
The CPX range covers most small to medium compressors. All models are rated to a maximum pressure of 13 bar.
| Model | Air flow (cfm) | Air flow (l/min) |
|---|---|---|
| CPX30 | 35 | 1,000 |
| CPX50 | 53 | 1,500 |
| CPX75 | 74 | 2,100 |
| CPX115 | 117 | 3,300 |
| CPX160 | 159 | 4,500 |
| CPX200 | 201 | 5,700 |
| CPX250 | 254 | 7,200 |
Larger CPX models are available on request. A CPX dryer with pre and post filter package is the simplest way to add clean, dry air to an existing compressor.
Other dryers and air treatment
- Pneumatech AD Series refrigerant dryers
- Pneumatech PH / PE / PB desiccant dryers
- CP inline filters and Pneumatech inline filters
- Pneumatech VT carbon towers for oil vapour and odour removal
How to size an air dryer
- Start with the air delivery of your compressor at your working pressure
- Choose a dryer rated at or above that flow
- Allow for heat: high inlet or room temperatures reduce capacity, so go up a size in a hot plant room
- Add a pre-filter and post-filter to protect the dryer and polish the air
Many of our screw compressors are available with a dryer built in, and we include the dryer when we design a complete compressed air package.
Compressed air dryer supply, installation and servicing
We supply a compressed air dryer on its own or as part of a complete compressed air package, and install it with the correct pre and post filtration. Our technicians service every brand of compressed air dryer on site across NSW, from our Wyong workshop and our Wollongong branch. If you are not sure which compressed air dryer suits your compressor, contact us with the compressor size and what the air is used for.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an air dryer on my compressor?
In most cases, yes. Compressing air concentrates the water vapour in it, and that water condenses in your pipework as the air cools. A dryer removes it before it reaches your tools, machines and product.
What is the difference between a refrigerated and a desiccant air dryer?
A refrigerated dryer chills the air to a pressure dew point of about 3°C, which suits most workshops and factories. A desiccant dryer adsorbs the moisture and reaches much lower dew points, such as -40°C, for outdoor pipework, cold rooms and sensitive processes.
What size air dryer do I need?
Size the dryer to the air flow of your compressor, in cfm or litres per minute, at your working pressure. High inlet or room temperatures reduce a dryer’s capacity, so in hot plant rooms choose the next size up. Tell us your compressor model and we will size it for you.
Where does the dryer go in the system?
Normally after the compressor and air receiver, with a pre-filter before it and a post-filter after it.
Do air dryers need servicing?
Yes. Drains, filters and the condenser need regular attention, and desiccant needs replacing periodically. We service dryers during a compressor service visit.
Contact us for help choosing a dryer, or to have one installed and serviced.
Areas we cover: our technicians work from our branches on the Central Coast and in Wollongong, covering Sydney and Newcastle and the Hunter, and visit Coffs Harbour by appointment.
Related: compressed air pipework installation and air compressors for sale.