My Account
Moisture in your compressed air supply can cause clogged hoses, inconsistent abrasive flow, and even flash rust on freshly blasted steel. The right drying system can prevent these issues—but only if it’s matched to your conditions. Our Moisture Control Efficiency Calculator evaluates how effectively your moisture removal setup will perform based on ambient temperature, humidity, air pressure, and the type of drying equipment you use. With this tool, you can identify potential moisture risks before they affect your work, choose the right moisture control system, and ensure your blasting operations run smoothly in any weather.
Moisture Control Efficiency Calculator
MOISTURE CONTROL EFFICIENCY CALCULATOR
Estimate dew point, risk to steel, and dryer effectiveness for blasting/air systems.
Rule of thumb: keep steel temperature at least 5°F above the air/ambient dew point to avoid condensation.
Ambient Dew Point: 78.1 °F
Absolute Humidity2.4 g/m³
“5°F Rule” Safe Steel ≥83.1 °F
Ambient OK Keep steel ≥ 83.1 °F.
Expected Pressure Dew Point After Dryer: 38.0 °F
Dryer Effectiveness95.0% (approx water mass removed)
Steel vs Dew PointNo steel temperature provided.
Refrigerated dryer targets ~35–40°F PDP; adequate for most blasting unless steel is very cold.
Compressor Flow (CFM)
Shift Length (hours)
Total Water at Inlet Conditions3 gal
Water Remaining After Selected Dryer0 gal
This is an intake-air estimate to show scale. Actual condensate depends on cooling and drains.
Interpretation & Notes
- Dew point is the temperature where air becomes saturated. Compressed air without drying usually reaches a dew point near ambient after cooling, which can still be risky for blasting.
- Refrigerated dryers typically deliver ~35–40°F pressure dew point; desiccant dryers ~−40°F or lower. Deliquescent dryers are often ~20°F below inlet temperature.
- Before blasting, many shops follow a “steel ≥ ambient DP + 5°F” rule to avoid flash rust and condensation on steel.
- Verify air quality with ASTM D4285 blotter tests and, where possible, a dew-point meter. Maintenance matters: drains, coalescers, and desiccant life directly affect results.
Calculations use Magnus/Tetens approximations for dew point and absolute humidity. Efficiencies are practical estimates: Separator/Aftercooler remove liquid water but do not materially reduce dew point; Refrigerated ≈90–99% removal; Desiccant ≈99.9%. Always confirm on site.
Disclaimer: This tool provides engineering approximations for planning and risk checks. Always verify on site with calibrated instruments. Dryer performance depends on maintenance, inlet conditions, and manufacturer specs.
