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Refrigerated Air Dryers

Across the country, the most common dryer in compressed air systems is the refrigerated air dryer. These machines are proven workhorses in manufacturing and service industries, consistently achieving dew points around 38°F, which is more than enough for most pneumatic tools and general moisture-sensitive applications.

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22 products

Nano DXR Non-Cycling Refrigerated Air Dryer

Nano

Nano DXR Non-Cycling Refrigerated Air Dryer

Regular price From $1,299.00
Sale price From $1,299.00 Regular price $1,561.00
QPNC Non-Cycling Refrigerated Dryer By Quincy

Quincy

QPNC Non-Cycling Refrigerated Dryer By Quincy

Regular price From $1,643.22
Sale price From $1,643.22 Regular price $0.00
Chicago Pneumatic CPX Non-Cycling Refrigerated Air Dryer

Chicago Pneumatic

Chicago Pneumatic CPX Non-Cycling Refrigerated Air Dryer

Regular price From $1,570.00
Sale price From $1,570.00 Regular price $2,141.00
Nano TMC Thermal-Mass Cycling Refrigerated Air Dryer

Nano

Nano TMC Thermal-Mass Cycling Refrigerated Air Dryer

Regular price From $2,600.00
Sale price From $2,600.00 Regular price $3,082.00
Pneumatech COOL Non-Cycling Refrigerant Dryer

Pneumatech

Pneumatech COOL Non-Cycling Refrigerant Dryer

Regular price From $1,070.00
Sale price From $1,070.00 Regular price $1,447.00
COOL Non-Cycling Refrigerant Dryer By Quincy

Quincy

COOL Non-Cycling Refrigerant Dryer By Quincy

Regular price From $1,084.26
Sale price From $1,084.26 Regular price $1,276.02
Atlas Copco FX Refrigerated Air Dryer Series

Atlas Copco

Atlas Copco FX Refrigerated Air Dryer Series

Regular price From $1,144.44
Sale price From $1,144.44 Regular price $1,748.28
COOL Non-Cycling Refrigerated Air Dryer By Chicago Pneumatic

Chicago Pneumatic

COOL Non-Cycling Refrigerated Air Dryer By Chicago Pneumatic

Regular price From $1,170.35
Sale price From $1,170.35 Regular price $1,817.00
FX HT15-60 High-Temperature Refrigerated Air Dryer By Atlas Copco

Atlas Copco

FX HT15-60 High-Temperature Refrigerated Air Dryer By Atlas Copco

Regular price From $2,139.96
Sale price From $2,139.96 Regular price $3,341.52
CPXHT Refrigerated Air Dryer By Chicago Pneumatic

Chicago Pneumatic

CPXHT Refrigerated Air Dryer By Chicago Pneumatic

Regular price From $2,320.00
Sale price From $2,320.00 Regular price $2,815.00
NDX Direct Expansion Refrigerated Air Dryer By Nano

Nano

NDX Direct Expansion Refrigerated Air Dryer By Nano

Regular price From $1,165.00
Sale price From $1,165.00 Regular price $1,188.00
AC Cycling Refrigerated Air Dryer By Pneumatech

Pneumatech

AC Cycling Refrigerated Air Dryer By Pneumatech

Regular price From $1,780.00
Sale price From $1,780.00 Regular price $2,162.00
AC Variable Speed Cycling Refrigerated Air Dryer By Pneumatech

Pneumatech

AC Variable Speed Cycling Refrigerated Air Dryer By Pneumatech

Regular price From $7,065.00
Sale price From $7,065.00 Regular price $10,296.00
AC Large Cycling Refrigerated Air Dryer by Pneuematech

Pneumatech

AC Large Cycling Refrigerated Air Dryer by Pneuematech

Regular price From $17,990.00
Sale price From $17,990.00 Regular price $21,244.00
ADA Non-Cycling Hi-Temp Refrigerated Air Dryer By Pneumatech

Pneumatech

ADA Non-Cycling Hi-Temp Refrigerated Air Dryer By Pneumatech

Regular price From $2,320.00
Sale price From $2,320.00 Regular price $2,984.00
QRHT High Temperature Refrigerated Dryer By Quincy

Quincy

QRHT High Temperature Refrigerated Dryer By Quincy

Regular price From $3,080.40
Sale price From $3,080.40 Regular price $3,624.06
Schulz SMH High Temperature Air Dryers

Warthog Air Compressor Store

Schulz SMH High Temperature Air Dryers

Regular price From $2,823.00
Sale price From $2,823.00 Regular price $4,234.00
California Air Tools Non-Recycling High-Efficiency 98% Refrigerated Air Dryer

California Air Tools

California Air Tools Non-Recycling High-Efficiency 98% Refrigerated Air Dryer

Regular price $1,625.00
Sale price $1,625.00 Regular price $2,031.00
California Air Tools Non-Recycling High-Efficiency 98% Refrigerated Air Dryer 220v 60hz 1-Phase

California Air Tools

California Air Tools Non-Recycling High-Efficiency 98% Refrigerated Air Dryer 220v 60hz 1-Phase

Regular price $852.00
Sale price $852.00 Regular price $1,065.00
Pneumatech AD Non-Cycling Refrigerated Air Dryer

Pneumatech

Pneumatech AD Non-Cycling Refrigerated Air Dryer

Regular price From $1,570.00
Sale price From $1,570.00 Regular price $2,141.00
Quincy QED Eco-Dri Cycling Refrigerated Dryer

Quincy

Quincy QED Eco-Dri Cycling Refrigerated Dryer

Regular price From $1,958.40
Sale price From $1,958.40 Regular price $2,391.90
Schulz Non-Cycling Refrigerated Air Dryer

Warthog Air Compressor Store

Schulz Non-Cycling Refrigerated Air Dryer

Regular price From $2,035.00
Sale price From $2,035.00 Regular price $3,053.00

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Why choose a refrigerated air dryer?

Compared to desiccant dryers, refrigerated air dryers generally offer:

  • Lower capital investment
  • Lower operating costs
  • Lower maintenance costs
  • Higher pressure dew point (more moisture left in the air vs. desiccant, but still dry enough for most shop and plant air)

Use a refrigerated air dryer when you need reliable, clean, dry air for day-to-day tools and equipment without chasing ultra-low dew points.

How a refrigerated air dryer works (simple overview)

1. Warm compressed air enters the dryer

  • Comes straight from the compressor carrying moisture vapor.

2. Air passes through a refrigeration circuit

  • A refrigerant system cools the compressed air down to roughly 38°F.

3. Moisture condenses out

  • As the air cools, water vapor turns into liquid condensate.

4. Condensate is removed

  • Condensate falls out of the airstream and is collected.
  • A drain at the bottom of the unit removes this liquid from the system.

5. Dry air leaves the dryer

  • Cooled and drained air exits at a dew point around 38°F.
  • As long as your facility stays above 40°F, that air will stay dry in your piping and at the point of use.

Key characteristics to pay attention to

When selecting a refrigerated air dryer, match it carefully to your system:

1. Maximum pressure

  • Dryer maximum pressure must equal or exceed your compressor’s maximum pressure.
  • Underrated pressure capacity can create safety and performance problems.

2. Inlet temperature

  • Every dryer has a maximum inlet temperature rating.
  • Exceeding that rating will:

    Damage internal components
    Shorten dryer life
    Reduce drying performance

  • A compressor aftercooler helps bring discharge air down to a safe, reasonable temperature before it enters the dryer.

3. Maximum flow (CFM capacity)

  • Indicates the maximum air volume the dryer can handle.
  • If the dryer is undersized, you may experience:

    Significant pressure drop
    Starved tools and equipment
    Reduced efficiency and reliability of the dryer itself

4. Maximum room (ambient) temperature

  • Refrigerated dryers must operate within a specific ambient temperature range.
  • If the room is too hot, you risk:

    Overheating the refrigeration system
    Nuisance shutdowns or outright failures

  • As a guideline:

    Keep ambient air at least 20°F below the dryer’s maximum rated inlet temperature.

Best use cases for refrigerated air dryers

Refrigerated air dryers are the right choice when:

  • Ambient temperature is below 50°C / 122°F
  • Your main goal is to:

    Prevent condensation in piping, tools, valves, and actuators

  • The required pressure dew point is around:

    3°C–4°C (37°F–39°F)

  • You need:

    Reliable everyday plant air
    Dry air for general manufacturing, automotive, fabrication, or shop use
    A balance between cost, simplicity, and performance

Types of refrigerated air dryers

All three main types of refrigerated air dryers reach similar dew points, but they handle internal temperature and energy usage differently.

1. Non-cycling refrigerated air dryers

  • Simplest design and typically the lowest upfront cost
  • The refrigeration system:

    Runs continuously whenever the compressor is running
    If the compressor is on, the dryer is on

  • Possible downsides:

    Freezing risk in the heat exchanger during long low-load operation
    Increased wear and energy consumption over time

  • Best for:

    Small shops and light-duty operations
    Intermittent air use where:

    You only need clean, dry air occasionally
    Overall demand is not extremely high



2. Cycling refrigerated air dryers

  • One step up from non-cycling units in:

    Control sophistication
    Purchase cost

  • Key features:

    Refrigeration cycles on and off based on demand
    Reduces energy usage during light load or idle periods
    Helps prevent frost buildup when the unit must run for long periods

  • Ideal applications:

    Medium-duty industrial and commercial systems
    Operations that:

    Run for long hours
    Have steady but not extreme air demand



  • Main benefit:

    Better energy efficiency than non-cycling, with stable performance across typical shop conditions

3. Variable speed drive (VSD) refrigerated air dryers

  • Highest-efficiency option in refrigerated dryer technology
  • Use a variable speed scroll compressor with:

    One fixed element
    One orbiting element

  • How they work:

    Adjust refrigeration capacity to match real-time air demand
    Maintain stable dew point even as:

    Flow changes through the day
    Temperatures fluctuate in the compressor room



  • Advantages:

    Minimal energy waste at low or partial loads
    Excellent for systems that rarely run at a constant flow
    Can significantly reduce operating costs over the life of the equipment

  • Best suited for:

    Plants with variable shifts, changing production, or seasonal swings
    Users who prioritize:

    Energy savings
    Tight dew point control
    Low total cost of ownership