Posted to News on 19th May 2010, 22:25
Compressed air dryer suits industrial applications
SKF is launching an innovative 3-in-1 dryer system that removes oil, contaminants and water from compressed air. The compact SFD (Separator Filter Dryer) system can treat a compressed air stream directly from the tank, thereby eliminating the need for after coolers, additional external filters and other equipment; alternatively it can be mounted on small air compressors or at the point of use. The SFD is described as reliable and versatile, able to accommodate a range of air system requirements and flow rates.
The SKF Separator Filter Dryer is capable of providing uninterrupted operation, even in dirty or dusty conditions, to minimise maintenance and downtime. It can withstand high or low ambient temperatures, which makes it suitable for use in a wide range of industrial applications, including concrete plants, warehouse operations, automotive paint booths and other manufacturing facilities.
In addition, the SFD is said to be simple to install by simply plugging into a standard 12, 24 or 120V AC supply, or a fully pneumatic version is also available. No condensate drain line is needed with either model, and there is no heat exchanger to clean or maintain. The compact design of the system enables it to be installed discretely directly on the tank, the compressor top plate or on the wall.
The standard SFD unit removes water from compressed air streams at pressures up to 180psi. An optional internal filtration/oil separator system also removes oil and contaminants as small as 0.1micron, thereby improving the performance of pneumatic applications and extending maintenance intervals and service life. SFD units can be specified with or without the internal filtration option for 5, 7.5, 10, 15 or 20 horsepower applications.
SKF says the system is extremely energy-efficient and typically averages 5-6 per cent of air for regeneration. As the SFD does not require a refrigerant, the environmental impact of applications can be reduced still further.
