2
1
8
7
6
9
3
2
1
10
5
4
EN
8
8. Functional description of the compressor
See picture
1
Compressors without a membrane dryer (Light models):
The compressor power unit sucks in air from the outside through the
air intake filter
1
. The air is compressed in an oil-free compression
chamber
2
, then passes through a delivery hose
3
and is forced
through the non-return valve
4
into the pressure tank
5
. The air
flow is regulated by a valve plate that allows air flow in one direction only.
Compressors with a membrane dryer:
The compressor power unit sucks in air through the air intake filter
1
.
The air is compressed in an oil-free compression chamber
2
, then is
forced through the cooler
6
which cools down the compressed air and
thus forms condensate water.
The condensate is trapped by a 5 mµ filter
7
located below the cooler.
A second 0,01 mµ filter
8
blocks further water droplets to ensure high
quality, clean air. This double filtration system has a semi-automatic
drain system that empties the small filters receivers everytime pressure
is discharged.
The clean compressed air then passes through the membrane dryer
9
where residual humidity is removed and the compressed air reaches an
average dew point value of -35°C. Dry, compressed air is delivered to
the air receiver through a hose that connects the dryer to the non-return
valve
5
.
The entire system is controlled by the pressure switch
10
that regulates
the ON/OFF mode of the unit. Every time the compressors reaches the cut
out pressure, it switches off and residual compressed air in the delivery
pipe system is vented out by a solenoid valve (for compressors without air
dryer) or by the membrane dryer
9
- for compressors with air dryer.
9. Functional description of the membrane dryer
See picture
2
Filtered air enters the membrane dryer and water droplets are collected
on the membrane fibres. While the dried air is delivered to the receiver,
a small amount of this dried air is purged back through the membrane to
sweep away the water droplets around the fibers. The moisture is then
delivered to the outside through the rinsing nozzles of the membrane
dryer. Since this purge cycle is continuous, the membrane dryer can
operate without interruptions or efficiency reduction.
Membrane dryers do not require any maintenance because there is no
water adsorption or adsorbing material.
Periodical maintenance needs to be performed on the double filtration
system (0,5 µm, 0,01 µm) before the membrane dryer. Filter cartridges
must be replaced once a year. Maintenance kits are available at METASYS.
Functional description: Compressor
Membrane dryer
Practice personnel, technicians
