Frequently Asked Questions
La-Man Extractor / Dryer & Air Lines
What is
%RH?
The % Relative Humidity is a measurement of the amount of water vapors
in the air. Liquids are not picked up by a % RH measurement. The
Extractor / Dryer removes liquids, not gases (moisture in
gaseous state), from a compressed air line.
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What is the Dew Point?
The Extractor / Dryer has a Dew Point range of 10 - 35 F @ atmospheric
pressure. The rating follows the amount of liquids entering the
Extractor / Dryer.
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What happens to
water when air speeds up?
When the air velocity is increased, the velocity of the water is
increased. In the first stage smaller water droplets are coalesced and
collected before they enter the chamber. A medium velocity performs best
in this area and causes little or no pressure drop. In the chamber and
quiet zone area a lower velocity is utilized to allow the liquids to
separate from the air stream. In the second stage, the drying process is
enhanced by higher velocities. The eddies and currents around the cotton
fibers are increased and this helps to dry the air.
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What happens to water when air is compressed and
expanded?
When air is compressed, the moisture and contaminants may not compress.
With 10 to 1 compression, 10 cubic feet of air moisture and contaminants
may not compress, there is now 10 times the amount of moisture and
contamination per cubic foot when the air is compressed at a 10 to 1
ratio. A great deal of heat is also generated. Just the opposite happens
when the air expands. The amount of moisture and contamination in 1
cubic foot of compressed air is spread over 10 cubic feet after the air
expands. The air cools at this point.
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What happens when water is absorbed into the second stage?
The second stage catches and absorbs the water droplets and particles
that were not removed in the first stage. As large volumes of air pass
through the filter there are times that it is warmer than normal; other
times it may be cooler than normal. When these changes occur, the filter
gives up some moisture as a gas to the dryer air or the warmer air. The
amount picked up depends on the relative humidity, velocity and volume
of air passing through the filter.
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Is water in gas form harmful?
Moisture in gas form will not hurt approximately 90% of equipment using
compressed air as long as there are no liquids present. There are some
high-tech laser applications which gases are harmful to the operation.
The Extractor / Dryer should not be used in these applications.
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How far from the point of use can the Extractor /
Dryer be placed and still have good quality air?
The air exiting the Extractor / Dryer will be best at the Extractor.
With the airflows from 5 -100% of the rating of the Extractor, a general
rule is 25 feet from point of use. Pay attention to what happens after
the filter (i.e. temperature changes, piping loops, etc.). These items
may require the Extractor to be closer to the point of use. With
airflows less than 5% of the flow rate of the Extractor, the Extractor
should be at the point of use for best results. In any case, install the
Extractor as close as possible to the point of use.
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What is the effect of LaMan air on cold downstream Instruments and
parts?
If the air after the Extractor / Dryer is cooled down below the Dew
Point temperature, condensation will occur and moisture will form. If
the temperatures are cool enough, the liquids may freeze the tool of
operation. In this case, the Extractor / Dryer must be mounted closer to
the point of use. If the temperature at the point of use is cool enough
to cause condensation, this is where the Extractor / Dryer should be
located. Remember, the Extractor / Dryer will remove liquids and
particles. It will NOT remove gases.
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How
does the Extractor / Dryer compare to other units?
The Extractor / Dryer is a 3-stage unit designed to coalesce, extract
moisture, and filter compressed air all in one unit. Other units may be
only one or two stages, using porous bronze, plastic or other elements
that are small in size or rely on only baffles to remove liquids and
contaminants.
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