Membrane air dryers remove water vapour by passing compressed air through a hollow-fibre membrane, making them a compact, maintenance-light choice for low-flow and point-of-use applications.
How they work
- Water vapour permeates the fibre wall
- A small purge stream carries moisture away
- No refrigerant or desiccant is used
- No moving parts or electrical supply
Applications
Membrane dryers suit analytical instruments, laboratory air, control panels and small pneumatic systems where a refrigerated or desiccant dryer is oversized. They are also used to dry a branch line that only occasionally needs low humidity.
Trade-offs
Membrane dryers consume purge air and give a modest dew point reduction, so they are inefficient for large flows. Choose them for small, localised duties and confirm the required inlet air is pre-filtered to protect the membrane.