Atlas Copco FX Refrigerated Air Dryer Series

Atlas Copco FX non cycling refrigerated air dryers, 9 to 572 CFM

The FX is Atlas Copco's non cycling refrigerated dryer: the refrigeration circuit runs continuously and a hot gas bypass valve holds the evaporator just above freezing, so the dew point stays steady at roughly 38°F whether the compressor is at full load or idling. It is the right dryer for a shop that needs tools, paint lines and piping protected from water and does not need the energy savings of a cycling dryer. If your air demand swings a lot through the day and the power bill matters, look at the FD cycling dryer instead; same quality of air, lower running cost at part load.

Sizing is simple if you use the rated conditions: 100 PSIG inlet, 100°F inlet air, 100°F ambient. Match the dryer CFM to the compressor's delivered CFM at that pressure, then move up a size if the inlet air will run hotter than 100°F (a piston compressor without an aftercooler) or the room runs above 100°F in summer. A quick rule of thumb is 4 to 5 CFM per compressor horsepower: a 5 HP piston wants the FX9N (20 CFM), a 10 HP screw the FX21N (45 CFM), a 25 HP screw the FX48N (102 CFM). This listing runs from the FX4N at 9 CFM to the FX270N at 572 CFM. Models through the FX69N (147 CFM) are 115 volt single phase and plug in; the FX86N and FX108N are 230 volt single phase; the FX150N and up are 460 volt three phase. Maximum working pressure is 188 PSIG, so these suit every piston and screw compressor we sell up to 175 PSI.

Install it after the receiver tank, not between the compressor and the tank, so the air arrives cooler and the dryer is not hit by every pump cycle. Put a UD+ coalescing filter ahead of it to catch oil and liquid water, and plumb the automatic drain to a floor drain or an oil water separator. For instrument air, outdoor lines or paint booths that need a minus 40 dew point, a refrigerated dryer is not enough; see the CD heatless desiccant dryer. Browse all refrigerated air dryers and air dryers.

Manufacturer description

Atlas Copco FX Refrigerated Air Dryer Series

Get clean, dry compressed air with a stable pressure dew point as low as 3 to 5 °C, engineered for dependable performance and low lifecycle cost. The FX Series uses a compact 3-in-1 heat exchanger (air/air + air/refrigerant) to maximize thermal transfer while minimizing pressure drop (approx. 0.28 bar across the range). A hot-gas bypass valve maintains evaporator pressure to prevent freeze-up at partial loads. The air-cooled condenser’s large surface area, capillary tube expansion, and protected refrigerant compressor (high-pressure & start-up protection) round out a robust, plug-and-play package. A digital controller with a large LCD shows PDP/LAT and operating status, while the dual timer & float drain ensures reliable condensate removal.

Range & core specs (reference conditions)

• Models: FX 6-FX 400 (air treatment capacity 6 to 400 l/s).
• Nominal electrical power @50 Hz: approx. 220 to 3500 W (by model).
• Max working pressure: 13 bar.
• Refrigerants: R134a (FX 6 to 35), R410A (FX 45 to 400), zero ODP refrigerants.
• Connections: from G 3/4″ up to G 2.5″ (by model).
• Form factor/weight: compact footprints; typical envelopes from ~517×500×805 mm to ~1045×950×1035 mm; approx. 50 to 190 kg (by model).
• Typical pressure drop: 0.28 bar.

Operating limits & conditions

• Reference conditions: 25 °C ambient, 35 °C inlet, 7 bar(g).
• Ambient: 5 to 46 °C; Max inlet temp: 62 °C.
• ISO air quality: Achieves ISO 8573-1 Class 4 at 3 °C/38 °F PDP (≤15 μm particles; PDP 3 °C; oil ≤5 mg/m³).

Capacity correction factors (apply multipliers)

• Dew point: 0.7 @ 3 °C, 1.0 @ 5 °C.
• Ambient temp (°C): 1.00 (25), 0.91 (30), 0.81 (35), 0.72 (40), 0.61 (45), 0.60 (46).
• Inlet temp (°C): 1.00 (≤35), 0.82 (40), 0.67 (45), 0.55 (50), 0.44 (55), 0.36 (60), 0.34 (62).
• Inlet pressure (bar): 0.75 (5), 0.88 (6), 1.00 (7), 1.08 (8), 1.15 (9), 1.22 (10), 1.28 (11), 1.34 (12), 1.39 (13).

Why FX for your plant

• Performance & reliability: stable 3 to 5 °C PDP; efficient 3-in-1 exchanger; full-range hot-gas bypass; dual drain; advanced controller that also trims power at low load.
• User-friendly: compact footprint, quick plug-and-play setup; big LCD with PDP/LAT; easy access for service.
• Energy savings: low pressure drop; efficient compressor; variable fan speed control.
• Environment-friendly: R134a/R410A with zero ozone-depletion potential; low power draw reduces indirect emissions.

Typical applications:

Pneumatic tools & controls, painting, packaging, injection molding, auto service/tire inflation, and a wide range of industrial/professional uses requiring reliable Class 4 dry air.

In short: FX delivers reliable Class 4 air, tight PDP control, and low pressure drop in a durable, service-friendly package sized from FX 6 to FX 400 for everything from small shops to heavy industry.