Air Dryers

Do I need a refrigerated or desiccant air dryer?

For refrigerated drying, Schulz SMH-100-UP-TD lists 113 CFM @ 100 PSIG / 50°F PDP; this collection also has 5 Mattei desiccant series. Refrigerated dryers typically suit general shop air, while desiccant dryers are commonly chosen for a much lower dew point or air lines exposed to freezing temperatures.

There are 47 refrigerated listings and 5 desiccant series among the 52 active entries. The Mattei range includes both types, while the listed Schulz and EL-AV families are refrigerated. Start with the dryness your process needs, then match a model to the airflow.

How do I size an air dryer for a 25 HP compressor?

Start by matching listed dryer capacity to delivered compressor airflow: our Schulz SRP 4025E Dynamic lists 25 HP and 92 CFM. Dryer capacity is rated at the manufacturer's stated conditions, so a dryer listed just above 92 can fall below it at your site's temperatures and pressure.

Hotter inlet or ambient air typically reduces refrigerated dryer capacity. Use the manufacturer's correction factors for your site and size up from the first model whose corrected capacity clears the compressor's flow. The tables below give each family's capacity on its own rating basis (for example nominal SCFM for ADS, CFM @ 100 PSIG / 50°F PDP for SMH), so compare within a family unless you have checked the conditions.

Record delivered airflow, working pressure, inlet temperature and ambient temperature together. The maximum pressure is a separate operating limit. For example, ADS 100 lists 203 PSIG maximum pressure; that does not change its listed capacity to a rating at that pressure.

Which Schulz refrigerated dryer families can I compare?

The 14 Schulz ADS non-cycling models run from 10 SCFM (nominal) to 480 SCFM (nominal), with 115V · 1-phase on ADS 100 and 230V · 1-phase on ADS 220.

The 6 SMH high-temperature models run from 28 CFM @ 100 PSIG / 50°F PDP on SMH-030-UP-TD to 159 CFM @ 100 PSIG / 50°F PDP on SMH-150-UP-TD.

The 5 SRS models run from 190 CFM (at 7 bar) to 600 CFM (at 7 bar), with 220V · 1-phase listed throughout the family.

The 11 SACT models start at 350 CFM on SACT350-UR and reach 3000 SCFM on SACT3000-UR, with 460V listed throughout the family.

CFM and SCFM are preserved as listed by the manufacturer; their rating bases need to be accounted for when comparing families. Keep the selected model's capacity, electrical supply and pressure limit together when putting the system specification together.

What do the EL-AV and Mattei dryer ranges cover?

The 8 EL-AV ELRD models run from 40 CFM to 480 CFM and list a maximum pressure of 14 bar / 203 PSI.

Mattei has 3 refrigerated and 5 desiccant series here; the series table has no capacity column, with capacity given by model on the series page.

Mattei MDE is non-cycling direct-expansion refrigerated drying, while MCT is cycling thermal-mass refrigerated drying. MHL, MDD and MWP are heatless desiccant series; MEH is externally heated and MBP uses blower purge. These are different dryer approaches within the same brand, not one capacity shared by every series.

The ELRD table leaves electrical requirements unspecified; confirm voltage and phase for your selected unit.

Common questions

Which dryer should I start with for a compressor listing 92 CFM?

Start with a dryer whose capacity, after the manufacturer's inlet-temperature, ambient-temperature and pressure corrections, still covers 92 CFM, and consider the next size up from the first model that clears it. Compare capacities within one family's rating basis, such as the ADS series' nominal SCFM, rather than across families.

How much air does the SMH-050-UP-TD dryer handle?

It lists 64 CFM @ 100 PSIG / 50°F PDP.

Is Schulz ADS a cycling refrigerated dryer?

ADS is listed as non-cycling. The Mattei MCT series is listed as cycling thermal-mass refrigerated drying.

Does a Mattei series name give me its capacity?

The comparison lists 8 Mattei series and their dryer types. Capacity is specified by the exact model on each series page.

Can you help size the dryer for my shop?

Yes. Bring delivered airflow, not just horsepower. Contact us for a free sizing consultation with pressure, inlet and ambient temperatures, electrical supply and required dryness.