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Calcimator

Dryer Selection Calculator

Refrigerated or desiccant dryer from dewpoint requirement.

Inputs

Results

Recommended dryer type

1

Required dryer capacity (CFM)

100

Purge air loss (%)0
Purge air (CFM)0
Net delivered air (CFM)100
Dryer power (kW)0.2
Total system impact (kW)0.2
Temperature correction1
How to Use This Calculator
  1. Enter the compressor rated CFM output and inlet air temperature.
  2. Set the ambient temperature and required pressure dew point for your application.
  3. Input operating pressure and altitude if not at sea level.
  4. Review the recommended dryer type (refrigerated vs. desiccant) and minimum dryer capacity.
  5. Use the pressure dew point output to verify compliance with ISO 8573-1 Class 1, 2, or 3.

How the result changes with Required dew point (°F)

Required dew point (°F)Recommended dryer typeRequired dryer capacity (CFM)
-853100
-473100
-2.52100
351100

What each input means

Air flow rate (CFM)
Compressed air flow rate the dryer must handle.
Required dew point (°F)
Target pressure dew point. 35°F = refrigerated dryer, -40°F = desiccant, -100°F = heated desiccant.
Dryer inlet temperature (°F)
Air temperature entering the dryer (after aftercooler). Higher temps require larger dryer capacity.
Operating pressure (psig)
System operating pressure. Lower pressure requires larger dryer capacity.

What each result means

Recommended dryer type
1 = Refrigerated, 2 = Heatless desiccant, 3 = Heated desiccant, 4 = Membrane.
Required dryer capacity (CFM)
Dryer nameplate capacity needed after temperature and pressure corrections.
Purge air loss (%)
Percentage of compressed air consumed by the dryer regeneration process.
Purge air (CFM)
Actual CFM of compressed air lost to dryer regeneration.
Net delivered air (CFM)
Usable air output after purge losses.
Dryer power (kW)
Direct electrical power consumed by the dryer unit.
Total system impact (kW)
Combined dryer power plus compressor energy for purge air.
Temperature correction
Capacity correction factor for inlet temperature (1.0 at 100°F).

How this is calculated

Worked example, using the default values

  1. Identify Input Parameters
    4 parameters
    Air flow rate (CFM) = 100, Required dew point (°F) = 35, Dryer inlet temperature (°F) = 100, Operating pressure (psig) = 100 = 4 input(s) provided
  2. Calculate Recommended dryer type
    1 = 1
  3. Calculate Required dryer capacity
    Required dryer capacity = flowRateCfm * tempCorrectionFactor * pressureCorrectionFactor
    100 = 100
  4. Calculate Purge air loss
    0 = 0
  5. Calculate Purge air
    Purge air = correctedCapacityCfm * (purgeAirPct / 100)
    0 = 0

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