IMPACT 3.

0 Tuesday, 17 January 2017

Chassis ID Path
/Description, Design and function/FH12, AIRDRY, VERSION2, VERS-BAS/Air drier

Model Identity
FH12 74924980

Publish date Operation No.

Tuesday, 21 February 2006

Air drier

AIRDRY VERSION2

Air drier, general

The compressor generates and supplies compressed air. The compressed air consists of water, oil and other impurities
that needs to be separated from the air before it reaches the pneumatic system. The purpose of the air drier is to purify
and dry the compressed air.

When compressing air, the air temperature rises. The water and oil leave the compressor as vapour and will remain in
this form until the temperature falls.

By reducing the air temperature, the vapour condenses into fluid. The reduction of air temperature and condensation
occurs in the cooling coil between the compressor and air drier.

In order to achieve ultimate drying capacity, the cooling coil should be designed so that the inlet air temperature is no
less than +5C and no more than +65C.

If the temperature is less than +5C, the air between the compressor and air drier risks freezing. If the temperature
exceeds +65C, the air will contain excessive water and oil vapour which negatively affects the outlet air quality and
shortens the desiccant lifespan. An inlet air temperature that is too high may damage the inside of the air drier.

Condensation is collected in the air drier, before the desiccant, and then drained. Any remaining water and oil is
efficiently detained
(adsorption*) by the desiccant. During the relief phase, a regeneration is performed (desorption **), purifying the
desiccant of impurities.

* Adsorption = Process where water and oil molecules are adsorbed by the desiccant under high pressure.

** Desorption = The opposite to adsorption. Process where the desiccant (during a reduction of the pressure in the
relief phase) releases water and oil molecules. At the same time, a return flow of dried air is passed through the
desiccant adsorbing water and oil. The return flow is then drained out into the atmosphere via a relief valve. This
process is also called regeneration.

A certain amount of oil will show on the air drier silencer, which is normal and does not require any action.

A frost prevention device (alcohol evaporator) must not be installed upstream of the air drier.

COPYRIGHT Copyright Volvo Parts Corporation

The information contained herein is current at the time of its original distribution, but is subject to change. The reader is advised that printed copies are uncontrolled.

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IMPACT 3.0 Tuesday, 17 January 2017

The air drier uses outlet port 4 Fig. to control the POWER REDUCTION FUNCTIONS (PR functions) of the
compressor. The air driers also have integrated pressure regulators and non-return valves.

Vehicles with AIRDRY air driers have a system pressure of 12 bars.

Air drier, design

The air drier is made up of three principal components: Desiccant reservoir, air drier housing and valve unit.
The desiccant reservoir, which is fitted onto the air drier housing with four screws, incorporates a replaceable desiccant
cassette with a bayonet mount. The cassette includes various desiccants of a large number of porous pellets
(granules) with an extensive area of contact absorbing moisture. The reservoir and cassette are sealed against the air
drier housing with O-rings.
The air drier housing functions as an assembly platform and valve body. The air drier housing also incorporates a hole
plate protecting the relief valve from coke residue. A non-return valve also prevents the system from return flowing.
The valve unit is mounted on the air drier housing with six screws and incorporates a pressure regulator and relief
valve. In addition, a silencer is also screwed onto the valve unit.

The pressure regulator cut-out pressure is 1200 kPa ( 12 bars). If the pressure regulator or the relief valve causes of a
functional disorder, only the valve unit will need to be replaced.

COPYRIGHT Copyright Volvo Parts Corporation

The information contained herein is current at the time of its original distribution, but is subject to change. The reader is advised that printed copies are uncontrolled.

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IMPACT 3.0 Tuesday, 17 January 2017

Intelligent fan control (FAN-Vise)

The idle speed of the engine cooling fan (FAN-VISE) is lower than on previous fans, reducing the cooling capacity of
the cooling coil at low speeds.

To secure the cooling capacity on vehicles with this type of fan, an intelligent fan control has been introduced that
engages the fan to at least 50% when the compressor is charging.

The fan control only functions when the outside temperature is above +10C, the engine speed exceeds 700 rpm and
the speed is less than 45 km/h.

There are two ways in which the fan can detect if the compressor is charging, depending on whether it is an air or leaf
spring vehicle. On air spring vehicles, the signal is received from an existing system pressure sensor (a low or rising
pressure means that the compressor is charging). On leaf spring vehicles, the signal is received from a pressure switch
installed on the control cable between the compressor and air drier.

Drain valve, compressed air reservoir

All air pressure chambers excluding the regeneration tank are equipped with manual relief valves enabling the
emptying of condensed water. Emptying should be done regularly to check the function of the air drier and to prevent
any condensed water from being carried on into the brake system.

Air drier, charging function

Supply air from the compressor flows into the air drier via port 1. The air is then guided to the desiccant cassette (1)
and through the inlet filter (2) which effectively filters out liquid and particles.

The desiccant cassette is divided into various desiccant sections (3) for an enhanced drying capacity. Any water and oil
molecules that remain are effectively filtered out when the air passes through the desiccant (3).

After the drier cassette, the air passes through the outlet filter (4), the non-return valve (5) and out into the system via
port 21. A small amount of air is released through port 22 to fill the regeneration tank.
COPYRIGHT Copyright Volvo Parts Corporation
The information contained herein is current at the time of its original distribution, but is subject to change. The reader is advised that printed copies are uncontrolled.

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IMPACT 3.0 Tuesday, 17 January 2017

During charging, there should be no air leakage through the silencer.

Air drier, checking drying function

Regularly check whether there is water in the compressed air tanks to ensure that the drier is functioning properly.
Perform this check by opening the drain valve in the primary tank immediately after the air drier. If there is water in the
air pressure chambers, refer to Service Information Malfunctions for Group 56.

Air drier, heating function

This air drier does not have a heater.

Air drier, relief function

The system pressure is lead through a conduit in the air drier housing after the non-return valve (5) into the valve unit
and the integrated pressure regulator (6).
Disconnecting: When the system's air pressure overcome the spring force, the pressure regulator opens (6), producing
an air signal to the relief valve (7), which open in two steps (the air drier is decompressed). The non-return valve (5)
closes and the regeneration starts.
Regeneration: While the desiccant cassette (1) is decompressed, air from the regeneration can flow via port 22 through
the desiccant (3) which then assembles and emits all impurities collected out into the atmosphere via the relief valve
(7) and silencer (8).
Connection: The system's air pressure falls when the air is consumed. The spring force will then overcome the air
pressure and close the pressure regulator (6). The signal air is evacuated, the relief valve closed and a new charging
COPYRIGHT Copyright Volvo Parts Corporation
The information contained herein is current at the time of its original distribution, but is subject to change. The reader is advised that printed copies are uncontrolled.

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IMPACT 3.0 Tuesday, 17 January 2017

phase starts.

Air drier, power reduction function

When the pressure regulator (6) in the valve unit signals the relief valve (7), an additional signal is forwarded via port 4
to the compressor's relief function Power Reduction. During the relief phase, no or only a small amount of air is emitted
through the silencer (8).

When the system pressure falls to the set value, the signal pressure evacuates whereby the PR functions of the
compressor are reset for charging.

COPYRIGHT Copyright Volvo Parts Corporation

The information contained herein is current at the time of its original distribution, but is subject to change. The reader is advised that printed copies are uncontrolled.

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