
Refrigerated Air Dryer: How It Works and Why It Matters
Compressed air is widely used in manufacturing, automotive production, food and beverage plants, electronics, packaging, and many other industrial systems. However, compressed air also carries
Lingyu’s standard AH and WH refrigerated air dryer series cover airflow capacities from 1.5 to 160 m³/min (approximately 53 to 5,650 CFM). For large-flow industrial projects, customized refrigerated air dryer systems are available with capacities up to 15,900 CFM, engineered according to actual airflow, inlet temperature, operating pressure, ambient conditions, cooling method, and pressure dew point requirements.

Good treatment effect: equipped with an independent water distribution system and it is a multiple upgraded version, the water distribution efficiency is guaranteed;
Wide application conditions: hydrophilic aluminum foil is used, and the whole series is equipped with heat exchangers and pre-coolers as standard, which can better adapt to harsh working conditions
Wide application conditions: hydrophilic aluminum foil is used, and the whole series is equipped with heat exchangers and pre-coolers as standard, which can better adapt to harsh working conditions
Customized according to needs: color can be customized, PLC is optional, dry contacts, Modbus communication, Internet of Things communication, etc. can be customized according to customer needs

Ultra-Low Pressure Drop:The pre-cooler features a newly designed annular tube configuration with approximately three times more tubes than conventional designs. The increased flow area significantly reduces air resistance, resulting in an overall pressure drop of less than 0.1 bar.
Low Dew Point:An optimized integrated 3-in-1 design, combined with a unique water separation system, ensures a consistently low and stable pressure dew point.
Intelligent Control:Equipped with a PLC and touchscreen as standard. The system automatically adjusts the compressor’s refrigeration capacity according to the evaporator load, ensuring optimal and energy-efficient operation. An RS-485 communication interface is also included as standard.
A refrigerated air dryer removes water vapor from compressed air by cooling the air until moisture condenses into liquid water. The condensate is then separated and automatically drained before the dry compressed air returns to the downstream air system.
Refrigerated dryers are commonly used where a stable, moderate pressure dew point is sufficient. They are widely applied in manufacturing, automotive production, CNC machining, pneumatic equipment, packaging, painting, textile production, and centralized factory compressed air systems.
Lingyu offers both air-cooled and water-cooled refrigerated air dryers, with capacities from 1.5 to 160 m³/min (approximately 53 to 5,650 CFM) across the AH and WH Series.
Air-cooled refrigerated air dryers use ambient air to remove heat from the refrigeration circuit and do not require an external cooling-water system.
The Lingyu AH Series covers airflow capacities from 1.5 to 110 m³/min (approximately 53 to 3,884 CFM) and is suitable for small to large industrial compressed air systems.
Air-cooled models are typically selected when:
Water-cooled refrigerated air dryers use an external water circuit to remove heat from the refrigeration condenser.
The Lingyu WH Series covers airflow capacities from 10.5 to 160 m³/min (approximately 371 to 5,650 CFM), making it particularly suitable for large centralized compressed air systems.
Water-cooled models are typically selected when:
The correct refrigerated air dryer should be selected according to actual airflow and operating conditions rather than compressor capacity alone.
| Selection Parameter | Air-Cooled AH Series | Water-Cooled WH Series |
|---|---|---|
| Airflow capacity | 1.5–110 m³/min | 10.5–160 m³/min |
| Approx. CFM | 53–3,884 CFM | 371–5,650 CFM |
| Rated inlet pressure | 0.7 MPa | 0.7 MPa |
| Operating pressure | 0.6–1.0 MPa | 0.6–1.0 MPa |
| Rated inlet temperature | 50°C | 50°C |
| Maximum inlet temperature | ≤80°C | ≤80°C |
| Pressure dew point | 2–10°C | 2–10°C |
| Pressure drop | ≤0.025 MPa | ≤0.025 MPa |
| Rated ambient temperature | 32°C | 32°C |
| Ambient operating range | 2–45°C | 2–45°C |
| Cooling method | Ambient air | Cooling water |
| Cooling-water pressure | — | 0.2–0.4 MPa |
| Rated cooling-water temperature | — | ≤32°C |
| Cooling-water operating range | — | 2–38°C |
For capacities above the standard range, higher operating pressures, special materials, or other operating conditions, customized configurations are available.
| Operating Condition | Recommended Configuration |
| General factory compressed air | Air-Cooled |
| No cooling-water system | Air-Cooled |
| Simple installation required | Air-Cooled |
| Small to medium airflow | Air-Cooled |
| Large airflow / centralized air station | Water-Cooled |
| Central cooling-water system available | Water-Cooled |
| Limited compressor-room ventilation | Water-Cooled |
| High compressor-room heat load | Water-Cooled |
| Inlet temperature up to 80°C | AH or WH High-Inlet-Temperature Series |
| PDP significantly below refrigerated dryer range | Desiccant Air Dryer |
Actual dryer capacity can change when working pressure, inlet temperature, or ambient conditions differ from the rated conditions. These operating conditions should be checked before final model selection.
| Factor | Air-Cooled | Water-Cooled |
| Cooling medium | Ambient air | Cooling water |
| Cooling water required | No | Yes |
| Standard capacity range | 1.5–110 m³/min | 10.5–160 m³/min |
| Compressor-room ventilation | More important | Less dependent |
| Heat rejection into room | Higher | Lower |
| Large airflow systems | Suitable | Particularly suitable |
| Central cooling-water system | Not required | Ideal |
| Installation | Simpler | Requires water piping |
For most industrial installations with adequate ventilation, an air-cooled refrigerated dryer provides the simpler solution.
For large centralized compressed air systems or facilities with existing cooling water and limited heat dissipation, a water-cooled model is generally more suitable.
Lingyu refrigerated air dryers are suitable for:
Applications requiring substantially lower pressure dew points should consider a desiccant air dryer.
Application: Industrial compressed air system
Cooling Method: Air-Cooled
Available Capacity: 1.5–110 m³/min
Inlet Temperature: Rated 50°C, maximum ≤80°C
Pressure Dew Point: 2–10°C
Suitable for factories where cooling water is unavailable and adequate compressor-room ventilation can be provided.
Application: Large centralized compressed air system
Cooling Method: Water-Cooled
Available Capacity: 10.5–160 m³/min
Inlet Temperature: Rated 50°C, maximum ≤80°C
Pressure Dew Point: 2–10°C
Suitable for large airflow installations with centralized cooling water or limited compressor-room heat dissipation.
Refrigerated air dryers are commonly used for industrial applications requiring a moderate pressure dew point. Actual performance depends on dryer design and operating conditions. Refer to the specifications of each Lingyu model for rated pressure dew point.
Dryer capacity should be selected according to actual airflow, operating pressure, inlet temperature, ambient temperature, and required dew point. Correction factors may be required when operating conditions differ from rated conditions.
Air-cooled models are generally simpler to install and suitable for most industrial applications. Water-cooled models are often preferred for large airflow systems or installations with limited ventilation.
Compressor airflow is the starting point, but it should not be the only selection parameter. Actual operating conditions can significantly affect dryer capacity.
Refrigerated dryers are typically used for general industrial compressed air, while desiccant dryers are selected when significantly lower pressure dew points are required.
Send us your:Airflow · Working Pressure · Inlet Temperature · Ambient Temperature · Required Dew Point · Voltage/Frequency
Our engineers will recommend a suitable refrigerated air dryer model for your compressed air system.
No. 22-1 to 22-3, Jinzhu Road, Heting Town, Heshan City, Jiangmen City, Guangdong Province
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