15
equipment. The system removes moisture and contaminants that shorten the life of equipment controls
and decrease blasting efficiency.
Compressed air enters the AirPrep System at the pre-filter (#4) which filters trash and condensed
moisture from the incoming air. The air flow then enters the aftercooler radiator (#8) where the flow is
passed through a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is constructed of many tubes through which the
compressed air passes. Air flow created by the fan and air motor assembly (#9) is blown across the heat
exchanger tubes which cools the compressed air. The cooling of the air condenses much of the moisture
into water droplets. The cooled air and water droplets flow into the separator tank (#20) at the inlet
(#39). The incoming air flow causes the condensed moisture to fall to the bottom of the vessel. The
moisture collected is drained from the bottom of the separator tank through the drain valve (#19).
The AirPrep fan air motor is turned on and off by the ball valve (#21). Closing the ball valve will disable
the fan air motor (#9). The AirPrep System
separator vessel
(#20) is depressurized by closing the air
compressor outlet ball valve and then opening the blowdown ball valve (#19) to completely vent the
compressed air.
Figure 5.1 – Typical AirPrep Dryer System
5.1
AirPrep System Air Inlet
The AirPrep System air inlet is located on the pre-filter (#4). The air inlet port is the same size as
the aftercooler piping (see Section 2.7). There are no fittings or ball valve provided with the air
inlet. Any required fittings or ball valve must be provided by the user. Any valves, fittings or
hoses installed on or connected to the AirPrep System air inlet port must have a minimum
operating pressure of 150 psi.