Bone dry everywhere or just at the source?

[Aviatordave]

Hey Folks,

It’s been a minute since I’ve been logged on here but I’ve had another question pop into my head that I’d like your input on regarding shop air.

I’ve got an 80 gallon DeWalt compressor feeding the shop with a few runs off to various locations. One is a semi hard line of the Rapid Air Max Line stuff (1” dia for about 100 feet). Another is just some regular 3/8” air hose to a hose reel (again about 100’)

I have a simple pressure regulator at the beginning of the Max Line stuff with a water separator. A while back I bought a plasma cutter and paired it with a 3 stage dryer that has an auto water drain, desiccant and another filter. That’s worked great.

I’m starting to get into powder coating and have just purchased a little Eastwood setup along with a Harbor Freight sand blasting cabinet (Yes, I know it needs some mods to work well. ;-)

My question is this:
Should I take the filtration/desiccant setup from the plasma cutter and place it at the beginning of the air run, just out of the compressor, or should I get separate dryer setups for the powder coat gun and the sand blasting cabinet? Most of what I read on the internet suggests that having the dryer setup at the start of the run should be ok . . . But with the length of the runs, I’m not so sure.

What do you guys do? How is your shop air set up, assuming you have a need for dry air at different points as well?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts and comments!
-Dave

 

[carlaisle]

If you keep the moisture from entering the line at the source there is nowhere else for it to enter.

My air is plumbed as follows: compressor > aftercooler > water separator > particulate filter > coalescing filter > refrigerated air dryer > tank > desiccant dryer > particulate filter > out to use. I have valves installed to bypass the desiccant as it's not necessary with my set up unless spraying something. The refrigerated air dryer is also rarely needed.

 

[Fixr]

Hey Folks,

It’s been a minute since I’ve been logged on here but I’ve had another question pop into my head that I’d like your input on regarding shop air.

I’ve got an 80 gallon DeWalt compressor feeding the shop with a few runs off to various locations. One is a semi hard line of the Rapid Air Max Line stuff (1” dia for about 100 feet). Another is just some regular 3/8” air hose to a hose reel (again about 100’)

I have a simple pressure regulator at the beginning of the Max Line stuff with a water separator. A while back I bought a plasma cutter and paired it with a 3 stage dryer that has an auto water drain, desiccant and another filter. That’s worked great.

I’m starting to get into powder coating and have just purchased a little Eastwood setup along with a Harbor Freight sand blasting cabinet (Yes, I know it needs some mods to work well. ;-)

My question is this:
Should I take the filtration/desiccant setup from the plasma cutter and place it at the beginning of the air run, just out of the compressor, or should I get separate dryer setups for the powder coat gun and the sand blasting cabinet? Most of what I read on the internet suggests that having the dryer setup at the start of the run should be ok . . . But with the length of the runs, I’m not so sure.

What do you guys do? How is your shop air set up, assuming you have a need for dry air at different points as well?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts and comments!
-Dave

Belt and suspenders. If you don't have a @carlaisle grade system with refrigerated air dryer, etc, another modest dessicant filter right before the powder gun wouldn't be a bad idea.

 

[carlaisle]

Move your filtration to the start of the run and then test to see how everything works. What you have may be entirely sufficient for your needs with nothing more than a simple relocation. If it's not, then add components as necessary until the desired results are achieved.

 

[545_days]

Years ago I designed compressed air systems, both instrument air and utility air for large petrochemical facilities (think 4" to 6" air lines.) We targeted a -40 F dew point for the instrument air, and achieved that with properly sized desiccant dryers with pre and post filtration immediately downstream of the air receiver.

As posted above, if the air is dry going into a pipe, it will be dry going out. If the air is wet going in, water will eventually condense in low points (especially during cold weather), and can create slugs of water at an inopportune time.

 

[Aviatordave]

Ok. You guys have convinced me. I’ll move my filter/dryer setup to the beginning of the run and see how that goes for starters.

One of the nice things about the desiccant filter I have is a sight glass on the front of it. I’ll be able to tell, pretty quickly, if the beads change color. (Purple when dry)

Thanks for the quick feedback everyone! Much appreciated!