Skipping a dryer service interval may seem harmless and a quick way to save money but, like skipping a
service interval on your car, it can have a negative long-term impact and will end up costing you more. Therefore, ensuring service of your compressed air dryer is imperative.

Like other critical resources, desiccant dryers need proactive preventative maintenance to maintain peak operational efficiency. Left un-serviced, a reduction in efficiency can lead to water being present downstream. This can impact the quality of compressed air and the health of the entire system. Compromising quality can lead to damaged equipment, product spoilage, costly repairs, system downtime or even a danger to employees themselves.

So, what are the potential risks of not carrying out service and maintenance of your compressed air dryer?

Blocked silencers can lead to internal valve failures

Desiccant dust in the purge airstream can gradually block the silencers creating higher back pressures. A higher back pressure can impact on the movement of internal valves, which can lead to them not sealing. If the internal valves stop working, your dryer won’t function.

Desiccant doesn’t last forever

Even though the desiccant regenerates, over time it will lose its effectiveness and wear, forming desiccant dust. This results in the dryer becoming less effective at removing moisture and can lead to a higher differential pressure. This causes a significant reduction in efficiency. Desiccant dust in the airstream can also have a significant impact on the operation of internal components such as valves, seals and silencers.

For example, when using dewpoint management control at a -40˚C (-40˚F) dewpoint, the dryer will have to run for a longer period before reaching the set dewpoint. Only when it hits dewpoint will the dryer isolate the purge. The harder and longer your dryer works to regenerate the desiccant and maintain dewpoint, the more energy it uses, causing an increase in costs.

As well as following desiccant cartridge servicing intervals, a dust or particulate filter should be used downstream of the dryer to ensure that any dust introduced to the compressed air as a result of the drying process is removed. This ensures protection of the downstream equipment.

The importance of solenoid valves, shuttles, shuttle seats and O-rings

Parts such as solenoid valves, shuttles and O-rings do wear and degrade. Failure to replace these at the recommended intervals runs the risk of seals failing, even though they have a longer service life than dryer silencers and desiccant. If seals fail, there is a risk of product failure. This can impact your whole system, the end application and leave you with large costs.

Warranty

Failing to service your desiccant dryer at the indicated intervals can also void your warranty.

Click here to download this information as a PDF: ‘The Importance of Servicing Your Regenerative Compressed Air Dryer’