Atlas Copco has introduced its new F range of professional refrigerant dryers that combine reliable, energy-efficient performance and a low maintenance requirement. This range has been designed with a simple space-saving vertical concept for easy plug-and-play installation. The new F range of refrigerant dryers has been developed for compressor applications where air quality is less critical, therefore requiring a lower initial investment than for more advanced dryer solutions.
Advantages
The simple, vertical design provides ready access for servicing and contributes to lower maintenance costs. The compact 0.21 m2 footprint allows for easy installation into an existing air system, with the dryers suitable for a wide variety of dry air applications; such as pneumatic tools and controls, painting, packaging and injection moulding, together with vehicle maintenance including tyre inflation. In addition, thanks to their stable pressure dewpoint, as low as 7°C/45°F, the dryers are ideally suited for applications requiring ISO 8573 Class 5 air quality.
Mode of operation
The F range dryers remove residual moisture from compressed air by cooling it down close to freezing point, condensing the water, which is then automatically drained. The dry air is warmed before leaving the unit via an air-to-air heat exchanger with an integrated water separator thus ensuring a constant flow of air without moisture content to prevent corrosion damage to pipework, tools and equipment, increasing their lifetime while minimising the risk of costly leaks in compressed air pipework.
Full range
The full range comprises twelve models in total: seven, the F5, F10, F15, F20, F30, F40, F50 and F60, have a maximum working pressure of 16 bar and an air treatment capacity ranging from 5 to 60 l/s respectively. The other five models are the F70, F90, F110 and F130, with a working pressure of 13 bar and throughputs from 70 to 130 l/s. The F5 up to F50 units operate with R134a refrigerant, while the remainder of the range utilises R404A refrigerant.
Hot gas bypass valve
A major component of the F-range dryers is the hot gas bypass valve, which safeguards capacity and maintains constant pressure in the evaporator to prevent freezing, even in extreme production environments. Other important features include the timer drain that ensures complete removal of the condensate, and the refrigerant filter that is designed to protect the capillary tube from dirt particle blockage and contamination. The F-range fits well within the existing portfolio of refrigerant dryers. This added new range contributes to the comprehensive offering of compressed air dryers by Atlas Copco Compressors.
