cooling compressed air

[benchracer1]

I just did a quick sketch of how I intend to set up the cooling and filtering on my compressor. I am using a husky 6 hp 60 gallon compressor, 3/4 in. copper tubing, a coalescing filter followed by a refrigerated dryer. Ive been using the dryer for sometime and i rarely see any water in my air. I have however been getting occasional small oil droplets. Feel free to give any suggestions or critique.....Steve

 

[sgs236]

I would try plumbing the regulator and coalescing filter the way TP Tools recommends and see if that makes a difference.

http://www.tptools.com/1and2-Moisture-and-Oil-Metal-Piping-Kit,7446.html?b=d*8092

 

[benchracer1]

oops, forgot to draw in the regulator and drains at the bottom of the drops.

 

[redmondjp]

Just watch the CFM rating of the refrigerated dryer - most of the small units have a flow rating of about half of what your compressor will put out.

 

[The Tool Tyrant]

Your set-up would be more efficient if you placed the copper cooling coil between the pump and receiver. Reason being, it would drop a large percentage of moisture into the receiver where you can easily drain it off, either automatically or manually, which in turn would take a large part of the load off of your filter, allowing it to be more efficient.

 

[benchracer1]

I thought about putting it in line between pump and tank. Eventually however I'm going to fall heir to my dads compressor (an old world war 2 gas powered compressor) and I was going to put a t in the cooler to eventually add this compressor. I guess that could be a thread in itself. Would putting it in line between pump and tank add substantial efficiency?

 

[Bellaireroad]

I've got a drier on mine ........without the coil ...and never see water.... wonder if you really need it ....if you're getting oil ... you may need new rings on your pump


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[benchracer1]

just very small and occasional aerosols. To be honestI think it is just an offshore pump with not real great quality. Im thinking that dropping the temperature and moisture content it will make the job easier for the downline equipment. IE filters and refrigerated dryer. I believe the drier is a 35cfm zeks

 

[theoldwizard1]

I am not certain you will get very much cooling using 3/4 pipe. Very small surface area.

What you really want is an engine oil/transmission fluid cooler, but those have much smaller pipes.

 

[The Tool Tyrant]

I thought about putting it in line between pump and tank. Eventually however I'm going to fall heir to my dads compressor (an old world war 2 gas powered compressor) and I was going to put a t in the cooler to eventually add this compressor. I guess that could be a thread in itself. Would putting it in line between pump and tank add substantial efficiency?

Yes. That is how most 'Air Cooled' aftercoolers are plumbed, usually mounted on the belt guard inline with the pump pulley to increase airflow across the aftercooler.
Remember that the moisture has to be drained at some point, so you might as well drain it at the receiver before it goes any further downstream.

 

[ovrrdrive]

I have a little manifold like that on mine with two drops and it actually works pretty good. The first gets about 90% more water than the second, and then it goes into my refrigerated air dryer to hopefully get whatever is left. Only thign I would say about your design is to add a third drop on the first intersection. By the time it goes all the way up to the top of the first loop there will already be some condensate in the line and if it doesn't have anywhere to go it will just collect and gurgle. I like to hit the drop pipes at a 90 degree angle to help the water stick to the side of the pipe. I have an motoguard M50 at the back of the plasma and it stays clean and dry.

 

[benchracer1]

im going to put the regulator and filter as suggested above. I added 1 drop and ball valve. The first drop is going to just drain back to tank. While not a traditionally plummed aftercooler hopefully it will remove a bit of moisture before it heads to shop. If it doesnt work efficiently ill then plum it between pump and tank....Steve

 

[benchracer1]

I guess actually these would be more accurately called drip legs. my bad

 

[benchracer1]

here it is