SPX Flow Hankison FLEX Series refrigerated air dryer

SPX Flow has released the Hankison FLEX Series refrigerated air dryer, which uses phase-change material (PCM) to achieve energy savings.

PCM is a material that harnesses latent heat produced as it converts from solid to liquid or liquid to solid. While latent heat is being absorbed or released, the process is isothermal (no temperature change) and the energy from the heat is used to change the form of the material. The PCM has high latent heat properties, meaning it absorbs a lot of heat at constant temperature as it melts or freezes and stays colder for longer periods of time. While the PCM absorbs heat from warm, moisture-laden compressed air, there is no significant rise in temperature.

Designed with a three-in-one heat exchanger, the PCM encapsulates the refrigeration and compressed air circuits. This allows the phase-change material to stay colder for longer periods of time, cycling the refrigerant compressor less often than conventional energy-saving designs.

As the dryer automatically matches the compressed air load at any point in time, it can be sized to the maximum plant compressed air load without a material energy consumption penalty.

The PCM itself is an eco-friendly refrigerant that melts and solidifies above 0°C and does not require the use of glycol, pump, tank or hot gas bypass.