Air Compressor Automatic Drain Valve: An All-Inclusive Guide
Whenever we talk about compressed air, we have to talk about water and condensate management.
The conversation is incomplete without addressing drain valve to provide clean and dry compressed air. You cannot ignore moisture condensation as it directly impacts the performance of the systems.
In this article, we will explain everything you need to know about air compressor automatic drain valve, and discuss FAQs regarding it.
What Is An Automatic Tank Drain Valve?
An automatic drain valve removes mixtures of compressor lubricants and water from the compressed air systems.
It is important to have a fully-functional drain valve as it helps in avoiding maintenance work and eliminates the need to manually extract liquid from the air compressor.
There are different types of drain valves that help in drying the storage tanks.
Some of these include Solenoid Electric Drain, Motorized Time Ball Valve, Pneumatic Zero Loss Drains, and more.
Atlas Copco provides a variety of drain valves that ensure that your aftercooler, dryer, air receiver, and other essential equipment are functioning at optimum level. EWD electronic drains, WD automatic drains, and TWD timer drain to name a few.
How Does an Automatic Drain Valve Work on An Air Compressor?
Let’s talk about how the automatic drain valve works. It works by allowing the condensate to flow to the valve’s condensation reservoir.
Once the liquid in the condensation reservoir reaches to a point that the float lifts off the seats, it sends control air pressure to the pneumatic piston so that the ¾ ported ball valve is opened.
Similarly, motorized automatic drain valves can be wired to lower and upper limit liquid level sensors so that it can used as a zero-loss drain valve.
Automatic Drain Valve Vs. Manual Drain Valve: What’s The Difference?
Before we jump into the differences, know that most air compressors come with a manual compressor tank drain. It is located at the lowest part of your air tank.
The water is generated by the pump and is taken into the tank by compressing the air. It goes to the lowest part of the tank; hence, the drain is located there. The manual drain must be opened at least once every day to drain the water.
If not done so, the water will accumulate inside the receiver and tons of gallons of water might be stored inside. And doing so every day can be difficult and is often overlooked, resulting in various issues.
To tackle these issues, automatic drain valves came into being.
It is essential to have automatic drains for industrial air compressors. The water is automatically drained after each use, keeping the tank water-free and eliminating the possibility of corrosion.
Auto Drain Valve – What to Consider During Its Purchase?
There are various things you should consider when buying an air compressor automatic drain valve.
Firstly, it is important that you choose the right thread so that your drain valve easily connects with your air compressor. Look for a ½” male NPT inlet as it goes well with most air compressors. If needed, you can use a reducer so that it works properly.
Next, consider the discharge time and internal time of the auto drain valve.
The discharge time determines the duration of how long the drain valve will remain open while the internal time determines how often will the drain valve open. Look for a discharge time between 0.5 and 10 seconds while an internal time between 30 and 45 seconds.
Another thing to ensure is that the auto drain valve operates at the same levels as the maximum pressure of your air compressor. Look for anything above 200 PSI.
And don’t forget to pick the right body for the auto drain valve. We highly recommend looking for brass as the body material because it is known to be durable and can withstand high pressures and temperatures. It is also resistant to corrosion.
Some Common FAQs Related to Automatic Drain Valve
Here are some questions that frequently get asked about automatic drain valves:
How does an auto drain work?
Automatic drain works as a 2/2 drain valve which closes when the air compressor is pressurized. It opens when the liquid accumulates and makes the float rise, and when it depressurizes.
Should I leave the drain valve open on my air compressor?
It is important that you drain the tank every day and leave the drain valve open if it is not in use for some time. Doing so will let all the moisture drain out and reduce the chances of corrosion.
Should you drain the compressor after every use?
You don’t need to drain it after every use. Doing it daily will be enough.
How do you install an automatic drain valve?
• Install below the lowest point • Install on a downward slope for proper drainage • Avoid the water pocket and the condensate line should be able to proper drain the condensate
What is the valve on the bottom of an air compressor?
It is a condensate drain valve located at the bottom of the compressor and determines if the water flows out of the tank or remain inside based on its opening and closing.
We understand if you are finding some information overwhelming. Get in touch with our team to discuss it in further detail, and get a clearer understanding of an air compressor automatic drain valve.
Atlas Copco offers a wide range of drains, extending our premium quality throughout your compressed air. Click here to learn more about them.