Heat of compression

rotary drum dryers

MD series (200-4000 l/s, 424-8480 cfm)

ND series (300-4000 l/s, 636-8480 cfm)
MDG series (450 l/s, 954 cfm)
Cost-effective
dry air for your
application
Clean and dry compressed air is vital to power up
your busy production environment. Containing
moisture, aerosols and dirt particles, untreated
compressed air poses a substantial risk as it can
damage your air system and end product. Yet
it must be produced reliably, energy-efficiently
and cost-effectively. Atlas Copco’s heat-of-
compression rotary drum dryers protect your
systems and processes. Their robust design
ensures they operate with total reliability and
deliver the desired quality of air.
Protecting your reputation
and production
By removing moisture from compressed air with a pressure
dewpoint as low as -45°C/-49°F, MD, MDG and ND heat-of-
compression rotary drum dryers eliminate system failures,
production downtime and costly repairs.

Keeping your production

up and running
Atlas Copco's proven rotary drum technology ensures
maximum reliable process continuity thanks to the use of
high-quality materials. In addition, its simple design eliminates
any risk of losses and advanced control and monitoring is
available for optimal energy efficiency.

Driving down energy costs

As the heat-of-compression is used to dry the desiccant, limited
energy is required for drying. The energy required to rotate the
drum is negligible. Furthermore, there is no loss of compressed
air, ensuring 100% flow capacity at output. The rotary drum
dryers are characterized by zero purge by design, an extremely
low pressure drop and no filtration requirements.

Easy installation and long

maintenance intervals
The combination of an easy-to-service vessel, minimal
maintenance downtime and long service intervals reduces your
maintenance time and costs. The dryers have a small footprint
thanks to an innovative all-in-one design. Installation is
straightforward, minimizing costly production downtime.

Assuring your peace of mind

Through continuous investment in our competent, committed
and efficient service organization, Atlas Copco ensures superior
customer value by maximizing productivity. With a presence in
over 180 countries, we offer professional and timely service
through interaction and involvement. Uptime is guaranteed
by dedicated technicians and 24/7 availability.
Cost-effective dry air
for your application
Dry and clean compressed air is essential for a broad range of industrial applications. Yet it must be
produced reliably, energy-efficiently and cost-effectively. Atlas Copco’s heat-of-compression rotary drum
dryers protect your systems and processes. Their robust design ensures they operate with total reliability
and deliver the desired quality of air.

Food & Beverage

A RELIABLE SUPPLY OF DRY AIR
The presence of moisture during the preparation of foods and beverages can cause
contamination of end products. Processing machinery can also be affected by moisture,
which interferes with their operation and obstructs the free and easy movement of the
ingredient or item of food.

Power generation
A FOCUS ON PRODUCTIVITY
All kinds of power plants rely on compressed air to operate pneumatically controlled valves
and other components. High-quality dry air can be the key to achieving plant productivity
and cost savings when you need them most, and keeping an operation running effectively
during a period of maintenance or emergency.

Pharmaceuticals
A TIGHT CONTROL ON QUALITY
Strict moisture control is a key factor in the manufacture of most pharmaceuticals.
Many materials used to produce pharmaceuticals have a physical affinity for moisture,
which can cause powdered material to aggregate. Other powders that are formed into a
tablet under high pressures will adhere only when in a dry state. Humidity can cause a tablet
to crumble or the drug to decompose and diminish in its therapeutic value. To assure
consistently high-quality drugs, the presence of dry air in the processing area and machinery
is therefore vital.

Process air
A CONTINUOUS FLOW OF DRY AIR
For process industries, high-quality dry air is vital for efficient pneumatic and instrumentation
control. A dependable stream of high-quality dry air is essential to keep the production up
and running at all times.
Why rotary drum dryers?
A dry compressed air system is essential to maintain the reliability of production processes and the quality
of end products. Untreated air can cause corrosion in pipe work, premature failure of pneumatic equipment,
and product spoilage. Heat of compression is a by-product of a compressor. It is typically wasted, because
there is no use for it. Rotary drum dryers use this heat to regenerate the desiccant. Little to no additional
heat is needed to reach an acceptable dewpoint. This is what makes rotary drum dryers extremely
energy efficient.

Water to the air net if no dryer installed

1000
Water to the air net per day (liter)

800

600

400

200

0 1000 2000 3000 l/s

2120 4240 6360 cfm
3600 7200 10800 m3/h

Lifecycle cost
Energy can constitute up to 80% of the total lifecycle cost of a dryer. You therefore need to look closely at energy efficiency when
selecting a dryer. The illustration compares the lifecycle cost of heatless, blower purge and rotary drum dryers.

10 years Maintenance cost

life cycle
cost Energy cost

Initial price

Heatless Blower purge Rotary drum

The heatless desiccant dryer is the most expensive to operate as 15-20% of its rated flow capacity is consumed as purge air. The rotary
drum dryer can lead to significant energy savings because of its unique design and controls. Even compared to a blower purge dryer,
rotary drum dryers can save up to 50% of the lifecycle cost.
 Superior energy
efficiency
Zero purge by design
Whereas other desiccant dryer types can consume up to 20% of the
compressed air, the rotary drum dryers guarantee 100% flow
capacity at the output.

No filtration requirements
Rotary drum dryers need no pre-filters, no after-filters and no dust
filters, all of which can cause pressure drops. Typically a set of
pre- and after-filters can have an average pressure drop exceeding
0.5 bar and lead to an extra 3.5% energy consumption.

Smart heating and best performance

(ND only)
The controller adapts the heating power to the required minimum
to achieve the requested performance.

Required extra
compressor power

7%

0 1 bar/14.5 psi
Pressure drop

Low pressure drop

If a desiccant dryer experiences a high internal pressure drop, the compressor discharge pressure must be
set higher than required, which wastes energy and increases operating costs. Atlas Copco has therefore
put considerable efforts into minimizing pressure drops in its dryers. Compared to twin tower dryers,
the system pressure drop is very low.
Low maintenance
The combination of an easy-to-service vessel, minimal maintenance downtime and long service
intervals reduces your maintenance time and costs. In addition, there is no need to change
filter cartridges.

Complete, compact package

The small footprint of rotary dryers means they take up minimal space in your facility. They come in
a completely integrated package; all piping and connections are included as standard. A convenient
lifting eye makes them easy to maneuver.

Environmentally friendly
Rotary drum dryers are totally oil-free and use no Freon or CFCs, and a minimal amount of
desiccant (only 5-10% of conventional adsorption dryers). 95% of all components can be recycled,
and the units have very low noise levels.

Choice of rotary drum adsorption dryer

MD MDG ND

O°C…-30°C 0°C…-45°C
Pressure Dew Point
-40°C/°F and lower
(PDP)
32°F…-22°F 32°F…-49°F

Smart heater regulation

Efficiency Ultimate performance at almost zero cost to achieve requested
performance
 Constant dry air at extreme low
power consumption
Thanks to their pioneering technology, rotary drum dryers ensure the lowest pressure drop and lowest
energy consumption for the highest possible efficiency – saving you time and money throughout the
production process. The uniqueness of the rotary drum dryers lies in the fact that the loss of compressed
air is completely avoided. Due to the usage of the generated heat from the compression process, a minimal
amount of power is required to achieve very low dewpoints.

Highly efficient at almost no cost

• The only energy needed is the power to rotate the drum, a mere 0.12 kW
• 100% flow capacity at the output
• Temperature, pressure and dewpoint peaks are eliminated

Savings when selecting the right drying method

8000

7000
Heatless dryer
Energy costs* (€/year)

6000

5000 Heat reactivated dryer

4000 Refrigerant dryer

3000
MD/MDG
2000
* Assumptions: 1 kWh =
1000 0.05 € – 8,000 h/year

0
0 500 1000 1500 2000 l/s
1060 2120 3180 4240 cfm
1800 3600 5400 7200 m3/h
Flow

MD Working
2
5

principle
The MD’s working principle is based on using hot compressed air
from the compressor to regenerate the desiccant. The single
pressure vessel is divided into two sectors: drying (75%) and
regenerating (25%). Desiccant, impregnated on a honeycomb glass
fiber drum, slowly rotates through these two sectors.

3
Hot air leaving the last stage of the compressor is divided into two
streams, 1 and 2. The main stream – branch 1 – passes through the
compressors after cooler (not visible in the image) and enters the 1
dryer for drying. The regeneration stream – branch 2 – (hot
4
unsaturated air) is headed for desiccant regeneration. It passes
Cooled regeneration
through the regeneration section of the drum, removes the moisture 1 Wet compressed air 4 compressed air
through desorption and regenerates the desiccant. The now
2 Regeneration compressed air 5 Dried compressed air
saturated regeneration air flow is cooled in the regeneration cooler
(3), and then mixed with the main stream (branch 1). 3 Cooler
MDG Working 7

principle
6 5

The full flow of hot compressed air leaves the last

2
stage of the compressor and passes through the
MDG’s heat exchanger (2) and the water-cooled cooler
(3). Cooled compressed air (branch 4) enters the drum
for drying. Dry air comes out at the top, where it
leaves the MDG at point 5. 1
8
Part of the dry air (branch 6) goes into the heat
exchanger (2), where it picks up the heat from 9
3 4
incoming compressed air (branch 1). Dry and hot
regeneration air (branch 7) passes through the
regeneration section of the drum, where the moisture
is removed. Wet and hot regeneration air is cooled in
the regeneration cooler (8) and then mixed with the 1 Hot wet compressed air 6 Regeneration compressed air

incoming cooled compressed air (branch 4). 2 Heat exchanger 7 Heated regeneration compressed air

3 Water-cooled cooler 8 Water-cooled cooler

4 Cooled wet compressed air 9 Cooled regeneration compressed air

5 Dried compressed air

ND Working 7

principle
2
5

The difference with the MD working principle is that

the regeneration stream – branch 2 – (hot unsaturated
air) is split in two, the first part passes directly
through the regeneration sector of the desiccant
drum. The second part passes through the
regeneration heater 6, is further heated and moves to
the regeneration sector to achieve deeper dew points.
Both flows are passing through the regeneration
3
sector of the drum, removing the moisture through 1
desorption; the desiccant is regenerated. The
saturated regeneration air flow is cooled in the
4
regeneration cooler 3 and then mixed with the main
stream (branch 1). The controller adapts the heating
power to the minimum required to achieve the 1 Wet compressed air 5 Dried compressed air

requested performance. 2 Regeneration compressed air 6 Heater

Heated regeneration
3 Cooler 7 compressed air
Cooled regeneration
4 compressed air
Reliable and compact

Regeneration air cooler

• Stainless steel for water-cooled versions;
aluminium for air-cooled versions
• Efficient heat transfer and high reliability
• Integrated in the dryer

Stainless still pipes (MDG only)

• Resistant to corrosion without special protective coating
• High strength at reduced weight

Controls
• User-friendly interface in 32 languages
• Comprehensive maintenance display

Compressed air cooler (MDG only)

• Stainless steel keeps performance over the lifetime of the dryer
• Requires minimum maintenance
• Easy to clean

Electric motor
• Drives the rotating drum, consuming minimal power
(Variable Speed Drive is optional on selected models)
• Greased for life

Electronic water drains

No loss drains with superior reliability
for efficient condensate removal
Compact design
Minimal floor space required

Rotary drum technology

• No loose desiccant, compared to twin tower dryers
• No need for pre-filtration of compressed air
• Long lifetime

Low wattage heater (ND only)

• Stainless steel design ensures long lifetime
• Nickel-plated heater pipe protects against corrosion
• Double thermostat protection
A step ahead in
monitoring and controls
Atlas Copco's Elektronikon® control and monitoring system takes continuous care of your dryers to ensure
optimal productivity and efficiency at your site.

User-friendly interface
Available in 32 languages, this graphical 3.5-inch
high-definition color display with pictograms and
LED indicators for key events is easy to use.
The keyboard is durable to resist tough treatment
in demanding environments.

Comprehensive
maintenance display
Valuable items of information displayed include
the ServicePlan indicator and preventive
maintenance warnings.

Online & mobile monitoring

The Elektronikon® system monitors and displays key
parameters such as dewpoint, vessel pressure and
inlet temperature, and includes an energy-savings
indicator. Internet-based visualization of your dryer
is possible by using a simple Ethernet connection.

SMARTLINK*
• Remote monitoring system that helps you optimize your
compressed air system and save energy and costs
• Provides a complete insight in your compressed air network
• Anticipates on potential problems by warning you up-front
* Please contact your local sales representative for more information
Optimize your system
Scope of supply
Integrated no loss drains
Air circuit Integrated air cooler

Connections DIN-flanges / ANSI-flanges

Pre-mounted electrical control panel

Elektronikon control and monitoring system
IP54 protected
Electrical components Voltage free contacts for remote alarm and warning signals

PED approval
ASME approval
CRN approval
ML approval
MHLW approval
AS1210 approval
Mechanical approval MDM approval

Options
MD 200- ND 300- MD 600- ND 600- MD 1000- ND 1000- MD 2000- ND 2000-
MDG 450
400 VSD 400 VSD 800 VSD 800 VSD 2500 VSD 2500 VSD 4000 4000

Interconnecting piping - - •
Stainless steel
- - - - • • • • -
interconnecting piping
Pressure dew point
- • - - • • • •
sensor
By-pass • • - - - -
Silicone free rotor • • • • • • • • •
Extra heater - - - - - - - • -

: Standard • : Optional - : Not available

Technical specifications
Rotary drum adsorption dryers MD 200-4000
Inlet flow FAD Outlet Dimensions
Pressure drop Weight
7 bar(e) / 100 psig connections
Type mm inch

DIN PN16
l/s m3/h cfm bar psi L W H L W H kg lbs
ANSI 150#

MD 200 A 200 720 424 0.18 2.6 - 1433 852 1347 56 34 53 460 1015
MD 200 W 200 720 424 0.18 2.6 - 990 819 1347 39 32 53 410 905
MD 300 A 300 1080 636 0.14 2 - 1442 852 1545 57 34 61 500 1103
MD 300 W 300 1080 636 0.14 2 - 997 819 1545 39 32 61 440 970
MD 400 A 400 1440 848 0.26 3.8 - 1442 852 1545 57 34 61 500 1103
MD 400 W 400 1440 848 0.26 3.8 - 997 819 1545 39 32 61 440 971
MD 400 VSD A 400 1440 848 0.26 3.8 - 1469 1160 1650 58 46 65 570 1258
MD 400 VSD W 400 1440 848 0.26 3.8 - 1069 1026 1650 42 60 65 520 1146
MD 600 A 600 2160 1271 0.22 3.2 DN 80 / 3” 1571 1586 1554 62 62 61 860 1897
MD 600 W 600 2160 1271 0.22 3.2 DN 80 / 3” 1611 1000 1554 63 39 61 700 1544
MD 800 VSD A 600 2160 1271 0.22 3.2 DN 80 / 3” 1571 1586 1554 62 62 61 860 1897
MD 800 VSD W 600 2160 1271 0.22 3.2 DN 80 / 3” 1611 1000 1554 63 39 61 700 1544
MD 1000 W 800 2880 1695 0.26 3.8 DN 100 / 4” 1407 1157 2058 55 46 81 1000 2204
MD 1100 VSD W 1 000 3600 2119 0.26 3.8 DN 100 / 4” 1407 1157 2058 55 46 81 1000 2204
MD 1300 VSD W 1 000 3600 2119 0.26 3.8 DN 100 / 4” 1407 1157 2058 55 46 81 1000 2204
MD 1800 W 1 800 6480 3814 0.27 3.9 DN 125 / 5” 1721 1576 2283 68 62 90 1525 3362
MD 2000 W 1 800 6480 3814 0.27 3.9 DN 125 / 5” 1880 1290 2890 74 51 114 1525 3362
MD 2100 VSD W 1 800 6480 3814 0.27 3.9 DN 125 / 5” 1721 1576 2283 68 62 90 1525 3362
MD 2500 VSD W 1 800 6480 3814 0.27 3.9 DN 125 / 5” 1721 1576 2283 68 62 90 1525 3362
MD 4000 W 3 600 12960 7628 0.27 3.9 DN 200 / 8” 3225 2150 2492 127 85 98 4330 9546

Rotary drum adsorption dryer MDG 450

Inlet flow FAD Outlet Dimensions
Pressure drop Weight
7 bar(e) / 100 psig connections
Type mm inch

DIN PN16
l/s m3/h cfm bar psi L W H L W H kg lbs
ANSI 150#

MDG 450 W 400 1440 847 0.25 3.6 DN80/3" 1800 1530 1950 71 60 77 1450 3196
Technical specifications
Rotary drum adsorption dryers ND 300-4000
Inlet flow FAD Outlet Dimensions
Pressure drop Weight
7 bar(e) / 100 psig connections
Type mm inch

DIN PN16
l/s m3/h cfm bar psi L W H L W H kg lbs
ANSI 150#

ND 300 A 300 1080 636 0.14 2 - 1515 1293 1701 60 51 67 440 970
ND 300 W 300 1080 636 0.14 2 - 1293 1162 1701 51 46 67 440 970
ND 400 A 400 1440 848 0.26 3.8 - 1515 1293 1701 60 51 67 440 970
ND 400 W 400 1440 848 0.26 3.8 - 1293 1162 1701 51 46 67 440 970
ND 400 VSD A 400 1440 848 0.26 3.8 - 1515 1293 1701 60 51 67 440 970
ND 400 VSD W 400 1440 848 0.26 3.8 - 1293 1162 1701 51 46 67 520 1146
ND 600 A 600 2160 1271 0.22 3.2 DN 80 / 3” 1835 1586 1622 72 62 64 1050 2315
ND 600 W 600 2160 1271 0.22 3.2 DN 80 / 3” 1611 1191 1675 63 47 66 870 1918
ND 800 VSD A 600 2160 1271 0.22 3.2 DN 80 / 3” 1835 1586 1622 72 62 64 1050 2315
ND 800 VSD W 600 2160 1271 0.22 3.2 DN 80 / 3” 1611 1191 1675 63 47 66 870 1918
ND 1000 W 800 2880 1695 0.26 3.8 DN 100 / 4” 1407 1455 2058 55 57 81 1225 2700
ND 1100 VSD W 1000 3600 2119 0.26 3.8 DN 100 / 4” 1407 1455 2058 55 57 81 1225 2700
ND 1300 VSD W 1000 3600 2119 0.26 3.8 DN 100 / 4” 1407 1455 2058 55 57 81 1225 2700
ND 1800 W 1800 6480 3814 0.27 3.9 DN 125 / 5” 1497 1879 2322 59 74 91 1750 3858
ND 2000 W 1800 6480 3814 0.27 3.9 DN 125 / 5” 2410 1947 2890 9 77 114 1600 3530
ND 2100 VSD W 1800 6480 3814 0.27 3.9 DN 125 / 5” 1497 1879 2322 59 74 91 1750 3858
ND 2500 VSD W 1800 6480 3814 0.27 3.9 DN 125 / 5” 1497 1879 2322 59 74 91 1750 3858
ND 4000 W 3600 12960 7628 0.27 3.9 DN 200 / 8” 3225 2150 2492 127 85 98 4950 10913
 2935 0688 02 © 2017, Atlas Copco, Belgium. All rights reserved. Designs and specifications are subject to change without notice or obligation. Read all safety instructions in the manual before usage.

COMMITTED TO SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTIVITY

We stand by our responsibilities towards our customers, towards the
environment and the people around us. We make performance stand
the test of time. This is what we call – Sustainable Productivity.

www.atlascopco.com