To prepare for this increase in temperature, humidity, and water, there are several parts of the compressed air system that should receive maintenance before the increased loading occurs.
Wet air receiver tanks
The wet air receiver tank is the first part of an air net that will see the impact from the additional water. There is no physical impact on the tanks themselves, but the drains should be tested and maintained according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Also, if you haven’t already done so, be sure to replace energy-inefficient timed drains with a zero-air-loss drain.
Filters
Filters are also affected by additional moisture; the increase in pressure drops seen in coalescing filters leads to higher compressor running costs. To decrease the pressure drops, replace the filter element with a new one.
Don’t forget to check the drain on the filter. The most common filters use float drains, which can clog over time. Maintaining them now can prevent costly air leaks from drains that remain stuck open or even more costly damage from downstream water if a drain becomes clogged shut.
Refrigerated air dryers