Install order: aftercooler → separator → general particulate → dryer → coalescing → (carbon) → final particulate.
Desiccant dryer
Heatless (pressure-swing) desiccant dryer
Twin-tower dryer for low pressure dewpoints (–40 to –100°F). Uses purge air to regenerate the offline tower. Required for outdoor lines, instrument air, paint, lab.
Heated / blower-purge desiccant dryer
Uses an electric heater (and on blower-purge, an ambient air blower) to regenerate beads. Reduces purge loss dramatically vs heatless.
Drain / aftercooler
Automatic condensate drains
Drains collect and discharge condensate from receivers, filters, dryers, and drip legs. Failed drains are the #1 cause of wet air.
Aftercooler (air-cooled & water-cooled)
Removes ~70% of moisture by dropping discharge air from 250–350°F to within 15–20°F of cooling medium. Required ahead of any dryer.
