SD Membrane air dryer: quiet, compact, non-electric, no maintenance, reliable

The Atlas Copco SD membrane air dryer with pre-filters removes moisture, oil and particles, resulting in clean, dry compressed air. Let’s look at its simple design and important advantages

31 July 2023

SD Membrane air dryer: quiet, compact, non-electric, no maintenance, reliable

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

Compressing air causes moisture in the air to condense. If this moisture is not removed from the compressed air flow, it can corrode piping, clog pneumatic tools and contaminate production. The Atlas Copco SD membrane air dryer with pre-filters removes moisture, oil and particles, resulting in clean, dry compressed air. Let’s look at its simple design and important advantages.

How does an SD Membrane air dryer work?

Incoming air flows through a bundle of hollow permeable fibers. Water molecules move through the permeable wall of the fiber and dried air follows its path to the outlet of the dryer. At the outlet, a small amount of dry air is used to purge (dry out) the dryer’s outer shell where moisture is being gathered. The wet flow is expelled from the dryer through vent holes.

Saturated air in dryer shell evacuates to atmosphere. A valve determines amount of purge and thus the dew point performance.

Why should I choose an SD Membrane air dryer over other technologies?

The unique design of an SD membrane air dryer offers special advantages.

No Electricity Required: Because SD membrane air dryers are not powered by electricity, they can meet strict safety and environmental requirements. They can operate in low flow environments, explosion-proof facilities, laboratories, corrosion-sensitive areas, and areas without an electrical supply.
Quiet: With no moving parts, the SD membrane air dryer is quiet. It’s ideal for use in noise sensitive environments.
No Maintenance: The SD membrane air dryer needs no maintenance, so it’s ideal for locations/spaces that are difficult to reach. It’s small, too.
Vibration and Explosion Resistant: The SD membrane air dryer can be used in hazardous installations.
Higher Allowed Inlet Temperature: At 60°C, that’s significantly higher than most other dryer technologies. That helps in demanding operating environments.
Efficient: The design of SD membrane air dryers is simple, with no twists or turns within the housing. Pressure drop is minimal and drying efficiency is high. Two models with different dewpoint suppressions (either 32°C or 55°C) enable the SD membrane air dryer to meet a variety of air system requirements.

Where does an SD Membrane air dryer make sense?

Where space and mounting options are limited
Where temperature fluctuates widely
Where vibration is high
Where electricity is not available or not advised
Where maintenance would be inconvenient

What else should I know about an SD Membrane air dryer?

Variable Pressure Dew Point: Membrane air dryer technology cannot give a constant Pressure Dew Point (PDP) over the whole range of possible ambient and inlet temperatures. PDP will vary with changing inlet dew point temperatures. If your process requires a constant PDP, a refrigerant or desiccant dryer may be more appropriate.
Price/Performance: For lower flow applications (<9 liters/second), an SD membrane air dryer typically offers better performance for the price. For higher flow applications (>9 liters/second), a refrigerant or desiccant dryer typically offers better performance for the price.