Franzinator, seems to work

[misterfixit]

So a while back I finished my air compressor build. Build thread.
At the time I also built a Franzinator for it. I've read some don't believe it will do anything, some say it might help, and others swear it's great. I guess now I'm in the last camp. I've been in the shop all afternoon using the compressor with my 'fogbuster' mist cooler on the lathe. Decided to drain and see what happens. I got water out of every drain on the Franzinator, with none from the tank. I'm a believer.

 

[misterfixit]

You can see how much I got out. Compressor is inside with central heat A/C unit running

 

[Jswain]

Post some more pics of the franzinator

 

[Boogerman]

You're exactly right, and this is why so many in the franzinator fan club. It removes water, by cooling the hot air off the compressor.

Real question, is not does it remove water, the question is "does it reduce condensation at the point of use, where the pressure drops"?

Removing water that will condense in the tank anyway does nothing for the condensation downstream of the tank at the point of use. That's where a better remover such as a chiller or a dessicator are needed.

In your case, it keeps the drain water out of the tank, which depending on your thoughts, might be a benefit. Contratulations!

I'd like to see a test where it actually removes water well enough to eliminate condensation at the end use pressure drop. I have never seen any of the "magic" devices do that; they just do what a cooler before the tank does, or what copper lines and drip legs after the tank do.

 

[bad_idea]

Do you have any links to building a franzinator? I have heard of them on this forum, but have not seen what is inside one.

 

[misterfixit]

Post some more pics of the franzinator

 

[misterfixit]

You're exactly right, and this is why so many in the franzinator fan club. It removes water, by cooling the hot air off the compressor.

Real question, is not does it remove water, the question is "does it reduce condensation at the point of use, where the pressure drops"?

Removing water that will condense in the tank anyway does nothing for the condensation downstream of the tank at the point of use. That's where a better remover such as a chiller or a dessicator are needed.

In your case, it keeps the drain water out of the tank, which depending on your thoughts, might be a benefit. Contratulations!

I'd like to see a test where it actually removes water well enough to eliminate condensation at the end use pressure drop. I have never seen any of the "magic" devices do that; they just do what a cooler before the tank does, or what copper lines and drip legs after the tank do.

You're right, I'm sure this won't dry the air like a chiller will. But, that wasn't the plan. My goal was to keep water out of the tank, hoping to keep the tank from rusting over the years. So far the Franzinator gets an A+ for that.

And again You're right, this does the same thing as an intercooler. I think the Franzinator is easier, but which one is more efficient is debatable.

If I have any tools that need truly dry air I'll add some type of dryer at the point of use.

 

[Jswain]

Looks pretty sweet. What did you make the end caps from? Or are they bull plugs or?

 

[Firebrick43]

So did you weld up the center tubes with bell ends or buy them?

 

[misterfixit]

Looks pretty sweet. What did you make the end caps from? Or are they bull plugs or?

Steel fence post caps

 

[misterfixit]

So did you weld up the center tubes with bell ends or buy them?

Not sure what you're referring to.

 

[Firebrick43]

Not sure what you're referring to.

You answered it in post 10. And by that admission and further review of the pictures in particular the seam, I am going to assume that that the pipe isn’t schedule 40 pipe but steel fence post or other non pressure rated steel tube?

I would highly advise you to stop using that as you have made a bomb.

To handle the pressure safely schedule 40 pipe and fittings should be used.

 

[misterfixit]

You answered it in post 10. And by that admission and further review of the pictures in particular the seam, I am going to assume that that the pipe isn’t schedule 40 pipe but steel fence post or other non pressure rated steel tube?

I would highly advise you to stop using that as you have made a bomb.

To handle the pressure safely schedule 40 pipe and fittings should be used.

Take a deep breath, and hold on. If you had read the build thread you would have seen that the pipe is actually sprinkler pipe, and that after fabrication they were hooked up to a hydrostatic tester and pressurized to 250psi, over a 100 psi excess of what the compressor is capable of.