Air compressor freezing

[samsn4]

I maintain a bunch of outside air compressors, the kind that are at gas station you pay or loose your money at. My issue I am having is the line keeps freezing up, the unit is just compressor and hose, no tank or dryer. Being outside I'm worried a standard water separator will just freeze up its self. How Would a small 1Lit to 20oz tank work in giving the water some place to settle?

 

[B_Bimmer]

Nothing personal, but the only time I ever really needed air and had to pay for a compressor it didn't work. I now intentionally support stations who have a free air sign.

 

[samsn4]

That's something I am trying to change. I have just moved into this field, coming from Industrial Electronics, Television, Bench Technician, Gas Station Service and Construction.

We have had a few warm to cold back and forth here and its driving me nuts that the hoses keep freezing up.

 

[The Cobbler]

the trick is , you need to get the vapour to turn to water and collect it before it freezes. then how do you get rid of the water once it's frozen into a blob.

 

[bsaint]

Which part is freezing? Most likely a large point of use desiccant dryer will work. It's what large plants use that have airlines running outside between plants. The dewpoint will be -20 f on a typical desiccant dryer.

 

[pcmeiners]

"Would a small 1Lit to 20oz tank work in giving the water some place to settle? "
In the dead of winter (<32), the tank would be OK, but the other 3 seasons the compressor would produce a lot of water. If tank was appreciable full, the tank would burst come the first week of freezing weather. Now if you had an autodrain, set to purge every 24 hour, you would be good.

Agree with Bsaint about a desiccant dryer, one the few instances such a dryer would work for a decent period of time before needing replacement or regenerating. Would like to mention those damn piss-ant compressor like to add water to tires, aside from stealing money from everyone.

 

[p_mori7]

All those types of compressors run in the wintertime up here no problem. Only thing to watch out for is the actual inflator nozzle freezing up. Most people up here know to unroll the hose, shove the inflator nozzle up the tailpipe of the idling car while they unscrew the tire stem cap(s), fumble around for a Loonie ($1 coin) and feed it to the machine. By the time the compressor starts humming the nozzle is thawed and air will flow no problem.