How Does a Air Dryer Work on a Semi Truck?

A semi truck air dryer is an important component in a semi truck’s air brake system. The purpose of the air dryer is to remove moisture, oil and dirt particles from the compressed air before it is used to operate the brakes.

Without the air dryer, these elements could cause corrosion and damage to the brake system, leading to costly repairs.

The air dryer works by using a desiccant, which is a type of absorbent material that takes in moisture from the compressed air. The most common type of desiccant used in semi truck air dryers is a silica gel material. This material can absorb up to 40% of its own weight in water vapor, making it an ideal choice for removing moisture from compressed air.

The compressed air enters the dryer through an inlet port and passes through a filter which removes any large particles such as dirt or dust. It then passes through a heat exchanger which uses hot engine coolant to further remove any residual moisture in the air. Finally, it passes through the desiccant chamber where it comes into contact with the silica gel material and any remaining moisture is absorbed.

Once all of the moisture has been removed from the compressed air, it exits through an outlet port and is routed to various components throughout the braking system including the brake chambers and valves.

Conclusion:

A semi truck’s air dryer plays an important role in ensuring that its brakes are functioning properly by removing moisture, oil and dirt particles from its compressed air. This is done using a combination of filters, heat exchangers and desiccant materials such as silica gel which absorbs any remaining moisture from the compressed air before it enters other components of the braking system.

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Karen Watkins