A complete air compression system must include air compressors, air tanks, cold dryers, filters and other equipment. However, when installing an air compressor station, there has always been controversy over whether the air tank should be installed at the end of the air compressor or after the cold dryer. When designing, the design institute mostly designs it at the end of the air compressor station, but in the actual installation process, most air compressor manufacturers require that the air tank should be installed when the air compressor comes out. Therefore, there are many ways to install the air compressor station in the factory.
We all know that properly sizing your air tank is a key part of keeping the cost of compressed air low. Choosing a tank that is too small can be risky in case you encounter an unexpected peak in demand, but choosing a tank that is too large can be a waste of money. Once you have a gas tank, do you know where to put it?
If you have a smaller, tank-mounted compressor, your gas tank is built-in. If your system is larger and has separate components, it may be difficult to figure out where your gas tank will be most effective. There are two main locations where air receivers are placed, each with unique advantages and disadvantages.
Wet Air Receiver
Some operators install an air receiver before the compressed air dryer. This is called a "wet air receiver" because the compressed air is still saturated with moisture. Routing the compressed air through a wet air receiver can provide some radiant cooling, removing condensate and entrained oil. Because it allows moisture to precipitate from the air, a wet compressor makes the compressed air dryer work more easily.
As the name suggests, a wet air receiver is filled with saturated air. This can cause problems if demand suddenly increases. If demand exceeds the compressor and dryer capacity ratings, the dryer can become overloaded. This can result in a high dew point or higher water content in the air, which can damage the system or affect end use.
Dry Air Receiver
The compressed air enters the dry air receiver after it has already passed through the dryer. While it does not help the dryer remove condensation beforehand, it does have its own advantages. Any sudden demand can be met with dry air and does not put unnecessary stress on the dryer.
So, should operators use a wet or dry receiver? Why can’t we have the best of both worlds? An extra receiver, for a fraction of the purchase cost, allows operators to benefit from both wet and dry air by placing it before or after the dryer; placing a wet receiver before the dryer allows control of capacity and condensation dew point, and a second dry receiver can meet sudden demand.