In today’s manufacturing environment, compressed air is an essential power source and therefore its quality requirements are vital. Even when meeting operational requirements, air moving through pipelines can lay down more moisture through condensation than what is acceptable, causing costly damages to production machinery. 
 
SMC Pneumatics recognises the importance of correctly prepared air and strives to be the ‘one supplier for all needs’, going beyond pneumatics to provide solutions such as its range of quality air dryers to combat moisture. 
 
Wet air is everywhere
 
Brian Abbott, Product Manager at SMC Pneumatics says that a simple solution which is often overlooked to avoid damage and downtime is a quality refrigerated air dryer. “Water carried with compressed air to the production systems can cause significant damage to the valves, cylinders, fittings and more. Components tend to rust and lubrication is rinsed out for a significantly shorter life span and slower production,” Abbott explains.
 
It is in fact, impossible to produce compressed air without depositing water into the system and as such, loss of income, replacement of parts, low levels of productivity and damage to the production system will prove more destructive than condensation itself to any business. 
 
“Cost cutting around air preparation is never advised. Like with most things, what you put in is what you get out and the solution is very simple. Dry air can easily be obtained by means of refrigerated air dryers as a cost effective means in the long-run,” says Abbott.
 
“Compressed air is led through the refrigerated air dryer, cooling it drastically to reduce the water content to between 10 and 3 °C pressure dew point. Dryers can be located on the most critical work stations in the production process delivering air to the required ISO Class or can placed after the compressor for general usage," adds Abbott. 
 
SMC’s quality solution 
 
SMC’s refrigerated air dryers chill the air to 3°C reducing the water content in the compressed air to around 6 grams per cubic centimetre. The surplus water is drained directly from the refrigerated air dryer, and dumped via an auto drain.
 
The range
 
Refrigerated air dryers are a cost effective means of providing air with pressure dew points of 3 to 10°C, thus meeting the requirements of ISO 8573-1 moisture classes 4 to 6. “All energy efficient SMC refrigerated air dryers feature compact and quiet construction, stainless steel heat exchangers, Montreal Protocol-compliant refrigerants and low pressure drops,” says Abbott.
“Models are available to meet various regional requirements in standard inlet temperature designs as well as high inlet temperature models.”
 
The IDU, IDF and IDH series from SMC are designed to each meet the unique requirements of factories using compressed air, offering various capacities to meet the demands of the modern customer. These energy efficient solutions offer stable, compressed air temperature control while being able to withstand corrosion, regardless of external conditions.
 
IDF series 
The IDF refrigerated air dryer series uses refrigerants R134a and R407C to prevent any damage to the earth's ozone layer (medium size series use R22). The IDF series can accommodate an inlet temperature of 60°C and corrosion resistance is improved by using a stainless steel, plate type heat exchanger.

Features include: 

• Standard inlet temperature air
• Stainless steel heat exchangers designed for long life and low pressure drops
• Compact and quiet construction
• Montreal Protocol compliant refrigerants
• Energy efficient designs

 
IDU series 
The refrigerated air dryer series, IDU, uses refrigerants R134a and R407C once again showcasing SMC’s commitment to a greener environment (medium size series use R22). The IDU series provides a stable supply of dry air even under high demand conditions with an inlet air temperature of 80°C.

Features include:

• Improved corrosion resistance with the use of stainless steel, plate type heat exchanger
• Protects pneumatic equipment from moisture
• Rated inlet air temperature: 80°C
• Refrigerant R134a(HFC)

 
IDH series
SMC's IDH series of compact air dryers offers stable, compressed air temperature control with its integrated heater, regulator, dryer, and filter.  The IDH air dryer delivers a constant volume of compressed air at the correct temperature, dew point, pressure and cleanliness, regardless of external conditions or seasonal climatic conditions.  Due to its compact size, and the ventilation holes being on the front and top, the IDH can be installed closed to a wall or panel.

Features include:
All-in-one air preparation with temperature and pressure control, drying and cleaning
Stable adjustable outlet temperature:15 to 30°C ± 0.1°C