Why does compressed air require a dryer?

Air contains water vapor, and compressing the air doesn't make that moisture disappear. As the compressed air cools, water vapor can condense into liquid inside the system. A dryer removes moisture before it can collect in piping or reach downstream tools, equipment, and processes.

How does an air dryer work?

A refrigerated dryer cools compressed air so water vapor condenses and can be drained away. A desiccant dryer passes the air through moisture-attracting material to remove water vapor and produce drier compressed air.

How do I size an air dryer?

Start with the amount of airflow your system needs, but don’t stop there. Operating pressure, inlet air temperature, ambient temperature, and the pressure dew point required by your application can all affect dryer selection. Champion can help you size the right air dryer for your system, operating conditions, and air quality needs.

How does a desiccant air dryer work?

A desiccant dryer sends compressed air through a bed of material that attracts and holds moisture. Many designs use two towers so one can dry the air while the other releases the moisture it collected and prepares for the next cycle. This allows the dryer to provide a continuous supply of dry compressed air.

Do I need a filter for my air compressor?

In most air compression systems, some level of filtration is a good idea. A filter helps remove contaminants such as dust, dirt, liquid water, and oil aerosols before they reach downstream equipment. The type and grade of filter you need will depend on your compressor, your application, and how clean the air needs to be.

How do I choose the right compressed air treatment setup?

The right solution depends on several factors, including airflow demand, operating pressure, ambient conditions, industry requirements, and desired air quality. Many systems require a combination of dryers, filters, and condensate management equipment. Champion has a network of authorized distributors who can help you choose the right dryer, filter, or separator for your application. Talk to a Compressed Air Expert to get started.

Compressed Air Treatment Products

CNV Series

Non-Cycling Refrigerated Dryers

CRH Series

High Inlet Temperature Refrigerated Air Dryers

CRPCA Series

Cycling Refrigerated Air Dryers

CGDA Series

Non-Cycling Refrigerated Dryers

XCNC Series

Non-Cycling Refrigerated Air Dryers

XCCYA Series

Cycling Refrigerated Air Dryers

XCNCA Series

Non-Cycling Refrigerated Dryers

Do I Need Compressed Air Treatment?

Yes, if you use compressed air to power tools, move product, finish parts, package goods, protect equipment, or support a production process, you probably need some level of air treatment. Why? The air around us contains more than oxygen and nitrogen—it can also carry moisture, dust, dirt, oil vapor, wear particles, and fine aerosols through your system. And the air itself isn’t the only concern. As air moves through the compressor, it can also pick up wear particles, oil vapor, and fine aerosols. The right treatment helps remove those contaminants before they lead to corrosion, wear and tear, product quality problems, or unplanned downtime.

Without proper air treatment, you risk:

Corrosion throughout the compressed air network

Damaged valves, actuators, tools, and automation equipment

Water contamination in sensitive processes

Inconsistent product quality

Maintenance issues

Unplanned downtime

Pressure drop and wasted energy

Shorter lifespan for compressors and downstream equipment

Depending on your application and the air quality you need, Champion can help you identify whether your system needs a dryer, filter, mist eliminator, separator, or a combination of products.

Refrigerated Air Dryers

Refrigerated air dryers cool compressed air so moisture condenses and can be separated from the system. Typical refrigerated air dryers are designed to produce dew points as low as 38°F, making them a practical choice for many shops and industrial facilities that need reliable moisture control but do not require extremely dry air. Champion offers the following refrigerated air dryer solutions:

Non-cycling refrigerated dryers: A dependable option for steady air demand where the dryer runs continuously.
High inlet temperature refrigerated air dryers: Built for systems where compressed air enters the dryer at higher temperatures.
Cycling refrigerated air dryers: Designed to turn cooling on and off based on demand, which can help save energy in systems with fluctuating air use.

Explore Refrigerated Air Dryers

Desiccant Air Dryers

Desiccant air dryers remove moisture by passing compressed air through materials that attract and hold water vapor, such as desiccant beads or molecular sieves. They’re a better choice when you need very dry air, including dew points from -40°F to -100°F, or when air lines may be exposed to low temperatures. That makes them a common fit for applications with stricter air quality needs, such as food, pharmaceutical, painting, paper, and petrochemical processes. Champion offers the following desiccant air dryer solutions:

Heatless desiccant air dryers: Use a portion of dry compressed air to regenerate the desiccant, making them a simple, reliable option for applications that need very dry air.
Heated desiccant dryers: Use heated purge air to regenerate the desiccant with less compressed air, which can help reduce operating costs.
Heated blower desiccant dryers: Use a dedicated blower and heated ambient air for regeneration, minimizing compressed air loss. Higher upfront cost, but typically has the lowest operating cost of the three technologies.

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Filters & Separators

Drying the air handles moisture vapor, but it doesn't remove every contaminant. Compressed air filters and separators help capture solid particles, liquid water, oil aerosols, and other contaminants before they travel downstream. Champion offers the following filter and separator solutions:

Filter regulator lubricators (FRLs): Help protect pneumatic equipment by filtering particles, regulating air pressure, and adding lubrication in one compact unit.
Mist eliminators: Remove fine oil and water mist from compressed air to help protect sensitive processes, finishes, pneumatic instruments, and downstream equipment.
Compressor air filters: Provide broader contaminant control by capturing particles, condensed water, oil aerosols, and oil vapors before they move through your system.

Explore Filters & Separators

Champion FRL - Filters-Regulators-Lubricators Image

How to Choose the Right Air Treatment Setup

There are a lot of air treatment products out there, so building an air treatment system that actually matches what you need can sound overwhelming. That’s where Champion comes in. With over a century of compressed air experience and products made right here in the USA, Champion is here to help you get the best air treatment system for your shop.

Here’s how it works:

Give us the rundown on your setup. When you contact Champion, we’ll ask about your current compressed air system, any air quality challenges you're already seeing, and what you want your setup to do better.
Get an air treatment plan that fits your specific needs. Champion will help you choose the right mix of dryers, filters, separators, or point-of-use products based on your system. We take a consultative approach—no one-size-fits-all answers.
Start seeing better air quality. Out with the bad, in with the good. Keep cleaner, drier air moving through your system and celebrate reduced downtime, better air quality, and a compressed air system that runs the way it should.

Protect Your System Before Problems Travel Downstream

Whether you run a manufacturing facility, automotive repair shop, food processing plant, pharmaceutical operation, or industrial production line, the right air treatment setup helps protect your investment. Champion offers refrigerated dryers, desiccant dryers, filters, separators, and condensate management solutions that help remove moisture and contaminants before they create downtime, quality issues, or unnecessary costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

A refrigerated air dryer cools compressed air so the water vapor in it condenses into liquid. A moisture separator removes the condensed water, and a drain discharges it from the system. The drier compressed air is then reheated before it continues downstream, helping prevent condensation from forming on the outside of piping.