Compressed Air Dryers
Refrigerant Compressed Air Dryer
Sub-Zero Refrigeration Dryers
Revolutionary Regenerative Refrigerated Dryers
The revolutionary CMT dryer is the only regenerative refrigerant dryer available in the compressed air market today. It combines the sub zero pressure dew point (PDP) of a typical regenerative desiccant dryer, with the low operating and energy costs of a refrigerant dryer, to provide an extremely low total cost of ownership (TCO). Sub zero air dryers take clean, dry air to new levels of cost-efficiency across a broad spectrum of operating conditions.
Optimised for Class 3 air quality
Many applications require very dry, high-quality air with sub zero dew points. CompAir’s desiccant dryers are the best option for the most stringent requirements – ISO Class 1-2 with a pressure dew point (PDP) as low as -70°C (-94°F). However, ISO Class 3 air, with a PDP of -20°C (-4°F), is sufficient for a large portion of the market. For applications that only require Class 3 air, we've expanded our family of high quality air dryers with our CMT dryers. They combine the ease of maintenance and operation of a refrigerated dryer with the sub zero pressure dew points typically associated with a desiccant dryer. Please download our white paper at the bottom of the dryers homepage to learn more about the ISO classes and how the apply to compressed air. Please contact us directly to get further information on this topic.
Features
Pre-Cooling
Air enters the dryer through the pre-cooler/re-heater
Regeneration
Leaving the pre-cooler/ re-heater, the air enters the first heat exchanger for regeneration
Drying
With only 15% of the of the moisture remaining, the air now enters the sub zero dryer heat exchanger where it is cooled and dried to -20°C (-4°F) PDP.
Reheating
The air dried to -20°C (-4°F) PDP is reheated before exiting the dryer in two steps.
1. Compressed Air Dryers
Purpose: Remove moisture from compressed air to prevent corrosion, equipment damage, and product contamination.
Types: There are several, including refrigerated, desiccant, and membrane dryers.
Key Considerations: Dew point requirement, air flow rate, energy efficiency, maintenance needs.
2. Refrigerant Compressed Air Dryers
How They Work: Use a refrigeration cycle to cool the compressed air, condensing water vapor into liquid which is then drained.
Typical Dew Point: Around 3°C to 10°C (37°F–50°F), suitable for general industrial applications.
Advantages:
Energy-efficient for moderate dew point requirements.
Low maintenance.
Simple operation.
Limitations:
Not suitable for very low dew point requirements (< -20°C).
Applications: General manufacturing, food and beverage, automotive shops.
3. Sub-Zero Refrigeration Dryers
How They Work: Similar to standard refrigerated dryers but designed to achieve lower temperatures to reach sub-zero dew points.
Typical Dew Point: -20°C to -40°C (-4°F to -40°F), often used where freezing or ultra-dry air is required.
Advantages:
Prevents condensation and freezing in cold environments.
Suitable for sensitive processes.
Limitations:
Higher initial cost and energy consumption.
Larger footprint for high capacity systems.
Applications: Pharmaceutical production, electronics manufacturing, outdoor cold climates.
✅ Summary:
Refrigerant dryers → moderate dew points, common in most industrial setups.
Sub-zero refrigeration dryers → ultra-low dew points for sensitive or cold environments.
