Brochure

FD series
When purchasing a refrigerant dryer, the main focus is usually on the initial cost. What is mostly overseen
is that this only represents approximately 10% of the lifecycle cost, the rest being taken up by energy,
maintenance and installations costs. Of these, direct and indirect energy costs (pressure drop) are
the most important.
Low pressure drops
If a refrigerant dryer has a high internal pressure drop,
the compressor needs to run at a higher pressure. As illustrated
in the example, this wastes energy and increases operating
costs. Atlas Copco has therefore put considerable efforts into
minimizing pressure drops in its dryers. A low pressure drop
of typically below 0.2 bar/2.9 psi at full flow is ensured by the
heat exchanger technology, an integrated low velocity water
separator, and generously sized components.
Efficient heat transfer through unique heat
exchanger technology
The FD dryer uses a counter flow heat exchanger on both the
air-to-air and air-to-refrigerant side. Compared to a cross flow
heat exchanger, the counter flow design results in a more
efficient heat transfer and stable temperatures. This significantly
lowers energy consumption.
Lifecycle cost
Example of the costs related to high pressure drop
Annual
energy
cost
Pressure drop
(bar/psi)
Indirect energy costs are related to the extra energy your air compressor will consume to overcome the pressure drop of the air
dryer. By design, Atlas Copco FD refrigerant dryers offer a low pressure drop and efficient heat transfer – both of which contribute
to a reduction of the indirect energy costs.
Indirect energy costs
Maintenance
Investment
Indirect energy costs
(on average 38%)
Direct energy costs
(on average 43%)
Installation
Hot wet air
(50°C)
Cold wet air
(30°C)
Reheated dry air
(45°C)
Low temperature
dry air
(3°C)
Supreme energy efficiency
0.1/1. 4 0.2/2.9
0.3/4.3
0.4/5.8 0. 5 / 7. 2