Compressor - Water and Cooling

[65Stang]

Quick question. I am picking up a 60 gallon two stage compressor, 15.5 cfm at 90 psi. I don't have any water collection system in place or line manifold to cool the air, but I know that I need it. I have a 21 gallon compressor tank with a bad motor. If I remove the motor on the 21 gallon tank, can the tank be used in some way with the new 60 gallon tank to cool the air and/or help collect water?

I will be using water traps and/or dessicant filters closer to the equipment for painting, sand blasting, etc.

Thanks

 

[65Stang]

And one other thought. Has anyone ever bought one of those cheap dorm fridges (basically a 3 or 5 cubit foot refrigerator) and run some part of their air lines through it or coiled in it to cool the air? Just a thought...

 

[Dale B]

It really doesn't get that hot in that big a storage tank , maybe 10 degrees above ambient temp. I wouldn't worry about it ....

 

[65Stang]

It really doesn't get that hot in that big a storage tank , maybe 10 degrees above ambient temp. I wouldn't worry about it ....

Um, okay. Not sure what that means in reference to my question.

I have serious water issues with my current smaller compressor, I am pretty sure they are going to be an issue with my new compressor as well. What am I not supposed to worry about?

 

[FriendOfYours]

With a smaller compressor your are constantly drawing in and putting out humid air. With a larger one the water has time to separate and settle at the bottom of the tank

Unless you are painting I wouldn't worry about it. Even then, you could always just coil up one hose and drop it in a bucket of cold water, and have a cheap separator right before your main hose.

 

[Gary S]

On my small 120v compressor, I have nothing to collect water or cool the air. On my 240v compressor, I have a water trap in my external regulator, and that takes care of water for me.
Sometimes you don't need to overthink these things.

But, your climate is a lot soupier than mine so water could be a bigger problem for you.

 

[65Stang]

I will be painting and sand blasting, so I am going to want to remove moisture.

 

[gixer007]

Yes you can use it as a wet tank dry tank set up.
You would be using your 60gal tank as the wet tank. Try to get as much distance between the two tanks. This helps cool the air on the way to the second tank. Then the second tank becomes the dry tank. Hoping the water will collect in there before going further down the line to your sand blaster. Most large shops who use a ton of air run it this way. I know of a paper company that runs 5 screw compressors running to one tank then off of that they run to another tank in the middle of the plant. Then from there to the machines. They run an auto drain on both tanks to help drain and keep water levels low.

 

[Ascinder]

They make coiled stainless lines used for flash cooling beer in homebrewing. Seems like you might be able to run something like that run in a bucket of water/ice. I know kitplanes also use evaporter or condenser cores out of cars for radiators since they are rated for way higher psi(like 250 I think) you could attach a few in series and submerge them or run a fan to cool your air that way.

 

[65Stang]

Yes you can use it as a wet tank dry tank set up.
You would be using your 60gal tank as the wet tank. Try to get as much distance between the two tanks. This helps cool the air on the way to the second tank. Then the second tank becomes the dry tank. Hoping the water will collect in there before going further down the line to your sand blaster. Most large shops who use a ton of air run it this way. I know of a paper company that runs 5 screw compressors running to one tank then off of that they run to another tank in the middle of the plant. Then from there to the machines. They run an auto drain on both tanks to help drain and keep water levels low.

That makes sense, I was thinking there has to be a benefit. So my thinking is to run about 50' of piping to the second tank before running into the shop and garage piping system. Still considering the oil/air cooler as well, but will probably wait and see how the second tank setup works first.

I need to put some T drops in my garage as well.

Where do I pick up auto drains?

 

[gixer007]

I am running the two tank set up for my small compressor in shop. I made a dessicant dryer for my plasma cutter just to be on the safe side. Works great. You can get search on line for auto drains but if you just drain your tanks daily you should be fine. Unless you run the blast cabinet all day.

 

[akdiesel]

I also have been running the same two tank set up for about 3 years now. I do not have a blast cabinet but I do paint somewhat and no water issues. This set up is better than the Zig Zag design some have run in that it allows for the air to cool when entering the tank, it takes up much less wall space, and it has more air volume.
Just remember to drain the tanks before and after heavy use and on a timely manner for normal use.

 

[65Stang]

I also have been running the same two tank set up for about 3 years now. I do not have a blast cabinet but I do paint somewhat and no water issues. This set up is better than the Zig Zag design some have run in that it allows for the air to cool when entering the tank, it takes up much less wall space, and it has more air volume.
Just remember to drain the tanks before and after heavy use and on a timely manner for normal use.

How did you plumb the second tank into the system?

 

[gixer007]

How did you plumb the second tank into the system?

dont use a T to plum it in. Come in one side on the top and out the other side on top. This way as the air gos inot the tank the water can go to the bottom of the tank as it cools and you pull dry air off the top of the tank.

 

[akdiesel]

Here is a thread I started of my air and water lines.
http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=31555
I came off of the top of the main tank and entered into the secondary tank (knock out drum) in the mid section, then exit out the top.
If you have an auto drain you can simply tee both tanks into one and just use you first tank for your liquid sensor to drain them both sense most of your liquid will be in the first tank anyways.
My secondary tank is only about two gallons but it serves the same purpose. It is made of stainless since my lines are too.