Is It Time to Change the Liquid Line Drier?

A liquid line drier is essential to battling a formidable opponent: moisture. That makes it one of the vital necessary — but least costly — elements of a refrigeration system.

Moisture is a significant reason for compressor failure. It could possibly work together with halocarbon refrigerants and switch into hydrochloric and hydrofluoric acid, which, over time, will destroy elements, in addition to soften and eat away the insulation from the compressor motor windings.

The liquid line drier’s most important operate is eradicating moisture. It could possibly additionally catch particulates similar to copper chips or small items of particles, stopping them from ending up the place they will trigger harm. Every time a system is opened for service, it’s at all times a good suggestion to switch the liquid line drier.

In an working system, if there’s a moisture indicator and it exhibits warning or moisture, the drier must be changed. Additionally, a stress or temperature drop throughout the drier signifies it’s turning into clogged. Examine the temperature of the road coming into and leaving the drier. If there’s greater than 1°F distinction or greater than a 2 psig drop, change the drier.

In a brand new set up, the drier will usually be within the liquid line, simply outdoors of the receiver. Set up a sight glass/moisture indicator instantly after the drier to offer the vacuum pump ample time to take away air and moisture.

When changing a failed compressor, find the drier as near the enlargement valve as doable to make sure any contaminants or particulates within the liquid line are trapped within the drier. Including a suction filter as near the compressor as doable will assist catch particles and shield the brand new compressor.

Utilizing a bigger drier with extra desiccant, like a 303S as an alternative of a 163S, or a replaceable core drier that’s changed after a certain quantity of run time, may also help clear up the system and lengthen the lifetime of the substitute compressor. Vacuuming correctly throughout set up and repair can also be necessary to moisture removing.

Selecting the Right Drier

Understanding the totally different properties of drier media will aid you select the right drier for the system. The 2 most important kinds of desiccants utilized in driers are:

1. Activated alumina, which may seize bigger quantities of moisture to assist lengthen the drier’s life; and
2. Molecular sieve-type driers, which not solely seize moisture, but in addition assist with acid in a contaminated system.

Liquid line driers come in several sizes for each the road dimension and quantity of desiccant within the drier. A 163S drier, for instance, comprises 16 cubic inches of desiccant and suits a 3/8-inch line. A 083S drier suits the identical dimension line however solely has half as a lot desiccant, whereas a 164 SAE drier is a flare type for a half-inch line. The primary numbers are desiccant quantity, and the final digit is line dimension in 1/8-inch increments. The letter S denotes sweat or braze, and SAE is the flare kind.

Commonplace driers are directional and have a stream arrow stamped on them. Warmth pump programs require a bi-flow drier. A chart on the drier field lists the refrigerants it really works with and the tonnage of the system it may deal with. This sometimes applies to a system that’s in good working order. A system contaminated by a burned out compressor — or one with moisture — may have a a lot bigger drier. A drier might have gauge ports on one or each side to learn stress drop.

Suction filters can be utilized on the suction line, and utilizing a suction filter along side a liquid line drier can provide most cleanup of a contaminated system. Suction filters generally is a desiccant kind or made with only a filtration media. Which sort you choose is decided by system contamination. Replaceable core kinds can be found for each liquid driers and suction filters and are a superb possibility for contaminated and bigger programs that may require a number of drier adjustments.

Putting in the Drier

After system restore or compressor substitute, the drier ought to be the very last thing put in. Uncap it as briefly as doable earlier than set up.

As soon as the system has been put again into service — and after a number of days or even weeks of regular operation – it is best to change the liquid line drier and take away the suction filter. Testing the refrigerant and oil for acid after changing a failed compressor will assist decide if further drier adjustments are warranted.

Changing driers is way cheaper than having further failures and misplaced product. Conserving a refrigeration system clear and dry by altering the liquid line drier — along with routine upkeep — could be the least costly insurance coverage towards failure.