membrane dryers Series Sunsep-W - ZANDER - #1

The sunsep-w membrane dryer series is specially designed for drying compressed air and gases up to 800l/min. New methods of drying compressed air are being developed by using this system. Due to their compactness, simple operation and low installation costs, they are ideal for a range of applications as detailed below. The sunsep-w membrane dryer is outstanding in the final position and replaces more traditional sys­tems where a high quality of com­pressed air is required. The mem­brane dryer is ideal for applica­tions which until now could only be served by oversized equip­ment.

The heart of the membrane dryer is a polymer microfibre hollow membrane, which is constructed in such a way that only water vapour molecules can penetrate the membrane wall. Oxygen as

The following diagram shows clearly that only the water molecules penetrate the membrane walls. Oxygen and nitrogen remain in the air flow. This means that the ZANDER sunsep-w is entirely suitable for the production of breathing air. This type of polymer hollow fibre stacked together in a bundle gives optimum results.

In order to ensure that the mem­brane dyer produces the quality of compressed air expected, it is essential to fit a ZANDER Micro­filter with automatic drain. This stops dust particles, oil and con­densate from contaminating the membrane. The sketch below shows a typical installation with all the necessary components.

pressure so that the saturated

vapour can be removed.

The regeneration air leaves the outlet (B) and flows into a by­pass (4) which has a nozzle valve (5). This is now expanded to atmospheric pressure and flows into the regeneration air inlet (C). The air then flows over

Water

Oxygen

Nitrogen

Dry com­pressed air

• Pneumatics

• Medicine

• Dentistry

• Electronics

• Robotics

• Breathing air systems

• Textile, paper, packaging and plastics industries

• Lasers

• Optical equipment

• Pressure precision machines

• Oxygen generators

• Gas chromatography

• Analysis equipment

• Spectrometers

• Precision instruments

• Laboratories

Saturated, oily and dirt laden compressed air enters the ZANDER Microfilter grade X (1).

The contamination is trapped by the Microfilter and the automatic drain expels the coalesced oil and water.

The clean compressed air now enters the dryer (A) and goes into the module (2) which consists of bundle of hollow fibre mem­branes. As the compressed air flows through the membranes the water molecules are forced through the walls of the mem­brane and the air leaves the module dry.

The water vapour molecules that have penetrated the membrane walls need to be eliminated. This is done by taking a portion of the dried air from the outlet of the module (B). This regeneration air is then expanded to atmospheric

the membranes in reverse flow and re-entrains the water mole­cules. The air then leaves the dryer by outlet (D) and si­lencer (6).

The dryer functions by a simple principle of physics. Saturated air has a higher partial pressure than dry air. As a result the water molecules flow from the damp air to the dry air through the membrane walls. „High pressure always flows to low pressure."

The regeneration flow re­entrains the moisture and dispels it to atmosphere.

• Compact

• No electricity required

• Constant dewpoint

• No CFC's

• Low installation costs

• No welded parts

• Low pressure drops

• Dewpoint established after short operating time

• No condensate drain

• No maintenance required

• Can be used in explosion protection

• No corrosion

• Only requires small installation space

well as nitrogen are retained and therefore the sunsep-w is ideal for breathing air applications. The sunsep-w membrane dryer is a penetrative membrane and therefore less susceptible to pollution than traditional porous membranes.

The sunsep-w is equipped for various inlet conditions and can ensure a dewpoint of up to -40°C. The outlet dewpoint is related to the inlet dewpoint temperature.

When fitted with a ZANDER X grade Microfilter the membrane dryer is guaranteed for 3 years.

Only water molecules penetrate the membrane

Wet compressed air

Due to the optimum dwell time the dryers can be made very compact giving new possibilities for processing compressed air to a high quality in previously difficult applications.