Comparative Tests of Truck Compressed Air Dryers

Comparative test results are presented covering the following four types of truck compressed air dryers; aftercoolers, centrifugal filters, dessicant dryers, and wet tank heat exchangers. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the operating characteristics of each of these types of dryers under varying operating conditions expected in truck usage and to determine the most appropriate use of each dryer type.

The results of these tests show, that except for unusually slow vehicles with heavy brake use, the wet tank heat exchanger is the best overall dryer available. This dryer is useable on even slow moving delivery trucks. The aftercooler is the second best overall choice and can be used on slow vehicles with excellent results.