Desiccant Dust Downstream of the Dryer — Protecting Valves, Instruments and Consumers
Every adsorbent bed releases fine particles — during filling, under pressure changes and as the beads rub against each other. Without an after-filter, this dust travels downstream into mass flow controllers, valves, analysers and storage.
Recognise the Symptoms
- Fine white or grey dust on valve seats, regulators or in instrument inlets downstream of the dryer
- Mass flow controllers drifting or blocking after the dryer has been put into service
- Leaking check valves or shut-off valves caused by particles on the sealing surfaces
- Rising pressure drop in downstream components without any upstream change
- Particles found in storage vessels, metal hydride containers or fuel cell inlets
Root Causes
No particulate after-filter downstream of the adsorber
attrition dust leaves the dryer unhindered
Fresh fill not conditioned
loose fines from a new charge are carried out at the first start-up
Fast pressurisation or depressurisation
pressure shocks move the bed and increase attrition
Bed not compacted or retained properly
loose beads move and grind against each other
Worn or damaged media from repeated regeneration cycles
Diagnostic Checklist
- 1Is there a particulate filter directly downstream of the dryer?
- 2Is dust visible when downstream fittings or instruments are opened?
- 3How fast is the dryer pressurised and depressurised?
- 4Was the dryer purged after the last media change before the consumer was connected?
- 5Which components downstream are particle-sensitive (MFC, valves, fuel cell, hydride storage)?
- 6Is the after-filter element changed at the same time as the adsorbent?
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