An air dryer heat exchanger is an integral part of the refrigerated air system. It has several parts: an air path, a refrigerant path, and a fluid path. Each path includes one or more passageways. These are located adjacent to each other, with the air in- and outlet located on the same side. The refrigerant is heated or cooled and then evaporated, resulting in water vapor.

A reputable air dryer heat exchanger will reduce the outgoing air temperature to a dew point. The lower the air temperature, the more moisture will be removed. A typical target temperature is three degrees Celsius or 37 degrees Fahrenheit. This is high enough to remove the bulk of moisture without freezing, but low enough to avoid freezing. If freezing is a problem, the heat exchanger will be equipped with auxiliary components to prevent this.

A refrigerated air dryer is a unit that is used with an air compressor that produces hot, wet compressed-air. The precooler/reheater receives the compressed air and pre-cools it. The air is then passed through a three-path heat exchanger. This device uses a liquid separator to separate the liquid water from the compressed-air stream. The air is then cooled below the dew point and regenerated in the regeneration section.

An air dryer heat exchanger's effectiveness is an important factor in operating efficiency. Its performance primarily depends on the efficiency of the heat exchanger. Most air dryers use a pre-cooler/reheater and a chiller section. The former acts as an economizer, recovering heat from the chiller and increasing volume. The latter prevents the pipe from "sweating" and consumes less energy.

The air dryer heat exchanger uses an air-to-air or air-to-refrigerant heat exchanger. An efficient heat exchanger will reduce the refrigeration cycle's cooling load, increasing the efficiency of the dryer. This, in turn, lowers the operating costs. It can also improve energy efficiency. However, it's a good idea to consider other factors to make a decision on the best air dryer for your needs.

Air-to-air and air-to-refrigerant heat exchangers are essential components of an air dryer. They convert hot and humid air to cooler air. The higher the temperature, the more moisture it removes. The evaporator's target temperature is 3degC or 37degF. It's low enough to remove most of the moisture in the gas, while being high enough to prevent freezing.

Refrigerated air dryers are often equipped with brazed plate heat exchangers. This technology increases system efficiency and reduces operating costs. They also include an integrated heat recovery process. The refrigerant cooler in the dryer allows precooling of the air. This significantly reduces the amount of power required to condense moisture. This decreases the operating costs of the entire system. A properly functioning air dryer can also save on maintenance.