as the title says has anyone used a copper line air dryer in this stacked configuration (right) vs the standard flat (left)? im trying to condense the space it takes because i dont have much wall space.
anyone have any objections to this style setup and why. thanks
My compressor is about 40’ or so from my plasma system, so I ran 1/2" copper which seems to cool the air well before the air dryer system at the plasma cutter. I got an air flow tester to make sure I was getting decent flow after that length and it blows more than 20cfm continuously, so no worries about restriction.
Can you share a link for the product your using please.
Amazing CFM ! but at how many psi?
And what type (model) of compressor are you running?
In theory the configuration on the left has more surface area expose to ambient air so it should perform better.
But likely barely better .
these passive cooling systems work better with a higher reyonds number (turbulent flow) or Forced convection heat transfer but the trade off is high resistants’ to flow is lower output CFM.
if you feel like increasing your pressure at the compressor end combat resistant is the thing to do…
it works, BUT at a extreme efficacy loss to the system.
Double the flow and you Square the Resistance!
A compressor running at low load will add less heat to the air right from the beginning reducing the load for all other equipment along the line. Les heat reduces the amount of water vapor it can hold from the start.
Ideally running your compressor as low of a pressure as practical while still maintaining your delivery cfm required for the plasma torch and as little resistance as possible will give your the best operating efficiency ( power and wear wise).
So I might have messed up then. I ran tank pressure all the way across the shop and put the regulator towards the outlet. Thinking I would get better cfm because I’d the higher pressure. Should I add another regulator to the tank output to lower pressure and increase cooling?
there should always be a regulator before your plasma unit regardless of the pressure being feed.
It is also ideal to have a pressure regulator short after the outlet of the tank and before your air dryer gear.
Here I was reference to the actual “cut out” on the pressure switch for the compressor
you could get more but at a high cost to efficiency .
Also I would up going with the stacked but I spread them a little bit and also staggered them to add a little space. I have to resize photos before I add them
you not increasing cooling. you would decease the load.
if i am using my phone I end up having to screen shot them before I add them here or crop slightly.
what was getting at here is that will be a flow rate for your cooler that will operate at it peak cooling based on the turbulence within the pipe.
Too much laminar flow = lower heat transfer
Too much resistance = lower delivery CFM @ X psi
I tested with no restriction, so I don’t know how many psi it could maintain at that flow.
I’m running a kobalt compressor that does 18cfm at 90psi. It typically will run for a while and catch up with the plasma cutter and stop for a little while.
did you install the flow meter on a tee, perpendicular to the travel of air flow?
May you post a picture of your installation?
When I tested air flow I just plugged the meter onto the end of the line, in place of the plasma cutter, after the air dryer, etc.
