1 Compressed air runs through the core
pipe, and is then
diverted to the membrane element in the housing. The
compressed air, which is still humid, flows through the
highly selective hollow fiber membranes of the membrane
element inside.
2 The purge air, which is required for drying,
diverges
continuously at the outlet area of the membrane element,
and expands to atmosphere using a fixed nozzle orifice.
Due to this expansion, the purge air becomes very, very
dry as the water vapor now fills an expanded volume.
The dry purge air flows over and around the exterior of the
membrane fibers.
3 As a result, air flows in one direction outside
the
membrane, separated only by the membrane wall. Humid
compressed air flows inside the membrane as dry purge
air passes outside. Due to the difference in moisture
content in the passing airstreams, moisture from the
compressed air is drawn into the purge air. The use of
Twist 60 technology ensures maximum drying efficiency.
4 Dried compressed air leaving the membrane
element.
5 Saturated purge air is released back to
atmosphere.