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BPHE AIR DRYER

-Moisture Out. Performance In

What is Refrigerated Air Dryers (BPHE)?

A brazed plate heat exchanger (BPHE) integrated into a refrigerated air dryer is designed to remove humidity from compressed air by cooling the air to below its dew point. As the air is cooled in the evaporator section, moisture condenses out and is drained away.


Why use BPHE in air dryers?

BPHEs provide a compact, efficient, and maintenance-friendly thermal interface that enables reliable separation of moisture from compressed air. They also integrate a heat recovery function — an air-to-air heat exchanger section — which preheats the incoming air using the outgoing dry air. This improves energy efficiency and helps maintain optimal dew point conditions.

How it works

  1. STEP 1: Air Inlet

Warm, humid compressed air enters the system.

  1. STEP 2: Pre-cooling (Heat Recovery Section)

The air first passes through an integrated air-to-air heat exchanger, where it is pre-cooled by the outgoing cold dry air, improving overall energy efficiency.

  1. STEP 3: Deep Cooling (Evaporator Section)

The pre-cooled air then enters the refrigerant-to-air section, where it is rapidly chilled by a circulating refriger- ant. This reduces the air temperature below its dew point, causing moisture to condense.

  1. STEP 4: Moisture Trapping & Drainage

The condensed water is separated from the airflow in a moisture separator or integrated trap and is discharged via a drainage system, ensuring only dry air continues downstream.

  1. STEP 5: Reheating (Heat Recovery Section)

The dry, cold air passes again through the air-to-air heat exchanger, where it is reheated by the incoming warm air. This raises the outlet air temperature and improves dew point stability.

  1. STEP 6: Air Outlet

The dry and reheated air exits the system, ready for use in pneumatic tools, industrial processes, or clean air environments.



Structural Diagram of BPHE Air Dryer

Material Specification

  1. Main Parts: Stainless Steel
  2. Brazing Material: Copper

Max Working Pressure

• Air Side: 16 bar (g) @ 20°C    
• Refrigerant Side: 35 bar (g) @ 20°C

Model

A

B

C

D

E

AL14

76

206

42

172

44

AL26

111

310

50

250

50-100

AL95

191

616

92

519

85-276

* Dimensions in mm

Operating Conditions Air Side:
Operating Pressure: 7 bar (g)
Inlet Temperature (Ta): 35°C
Outlet Temperature (Tv): 27°C
Pressure Drop (ΔP): 20 kPa


Refrigerant Side:
Refrigerant Type: R134a
Evaporation Temperature (Te): 0°C
Superheat (SH): 5 K
Dew Point Temperature (Tev): 3°C


Separator Efficiency
Droplet Size: 95% separation efficiency for standard water droplets


Mounting
Type: Stud-bolt mounting available


Note : Dew Point Definition
“Dew point” is the temperature at which water vapor in the air starts to condense in the separator. It is normally maintained slightly above the freezing point of water, around 2–5°C (35–40°F).