Key conclusion: It depends on gas demand.
There is no definitive answer as to whether the refrigerated air dryer must be started simultaneously with the air compressor. This depends primarily on the specific compressed-air quality requirements of the end-use equipment and the actual application scenario.
Scenarios where the refrigerant dryer must be turned on
Under the following circumstances, the refrigerated air dryer must be started simultaneously with the air compressor:
- Precision pneumatic equipmentIf the downstream system is connected to precision pneumatic components, instruments, or coating equipment, moisture in the compressed air can cause corrosion, sticking, or compromise product quality; therefore, an air dryer must be used to lower the dew point of the air.
- Antifreeze requirementsIn winter or in regions with low ambient temperatures, moisture in the compressed air distribution network is prone to freezing, which can cause pipeline blockages or even frost‑induced rupture; in such cases, the refrigerant dryer must be activated to remove water.
- Long-distance pipeline transportationWhen compressed air is conveyed over long distances, moisture that accumulates in the piping network increases pressure drop and accelerates pipe corrosion; therefore, a refrigerant dryer is an essential piece of equipment for protecting the pipeline system.
Scenarios where the refrigerant dryer can be temporarily suspended or does not need to be started.
In certain less-demanding applications with modest air-quality requirements, the refrigerant dryer may be left off.
- Simple purging and cleaningIf compressed air is used only for dust blowing off equipment surfaces and workshop cleaning, and there are no stringent moisture requirements, it may be temporarily left unactivated.
- Extensive-type power source: For certain simple pneumatic tools or mixing equipment that are not sensitive to moisture, temporarily foregoing the use of a refrigerated air dryer will not result in any significant damage.
Recommendations for Long-Term Operation
Although the refrigerated air dryer may be temporarily bypassed in certain specific applications, for the sake of the system’s overall service life and operational efficiency, it is recommended to operate the dryer as standard equipment on a continuous basis. The refrigerated dryer effectively removes both liquid and a portion of gaseous water from the compressed air, mitigating pipeline corrosion and reducing the failure rate of pneumatic components, thereby extending the service life of the entire compressed‑air system. During operation, follow the principle of starting the refrigerated dryer before the air compressor or initiating both simultaneously, ensuring that the air entering the distribution network remains dry at all times.