Atlas Copco Air dryers

FD90, FD110, FD130, FD170 and FD230

Instruction book

· Copyright 2001, Atlas Copco Airpower n.v., Antwerp, Belgium.

Any unauthorized use or copying of the contents or any part thereof is prohibited. This
applies in particular to trademarks, model denominations, part numbers and drawings.

· This instruction book meets the requirements for instructions specified by the machinery
directive 98/37/EC and is valid for CE as well as non-CE labelled machines.

No. 2920 1390 02

Replaces No. 2920 1390 01

Registration code: APC FD / 38 / 975

2001-12 Web-site: http://www.atlascopco-compressors.com

 Instruction book

This instruction book describes how to handle and operate the subject machine(s) to ensure safe operation, optimum working
economy and long service life.

Read this book before putting the machine into operation to ensure correct handling, operation and proper maintenance from
the beginning. The maintenance schedule contains a summary of the measures for keeping the dryer in good repair. The
maintenance procedures are simple but must be carried out regularly.

Keep the book available for the operator(s) and make sure that the dryer is operated and that the maintenance actions are carried
out according to the instructions. Record all operating data, maintenance work effected, etc. in an operator's logbook available
from Atlas Copco. Follow all applicable safety precautions, amongst others those mentioned in this book.

Repair operations should be performed by trained personnel from Atlas Copco who can also be contacted if any further information
is desired.

In all correspondence always mention the dryer type and the complete serial number, shown on the data plate.

For all specific data not mentioned in the text, consult sections "Maintenance" and "Principal data".

The company reserves the right to make changes without prior notice.

Contents

Page Page
1 Leading particulars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 3.2 Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
1.1 General description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 3.3 During operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
1.2 Air circuit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 3.4 Stopping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
1.3 Refrigeration circuit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
1.4 Automatic regulation system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 4 Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
1.5 Electrical system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
5 Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
2 Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
2.1 Dimension drawings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 6 Problem solving. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
2.2 Installation proposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
2.3 Installation instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 7 Principal data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
2.4 Pictographs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 7.1 Limitations/nominal conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
7.2 Specific data of FD90, FD110 and FD130. . . . . . 15
3 Operating instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 7.3 Specific data of FD170 and FD230 . . . . . . . . . . . 16
3.1 Initial start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
8 Conversion list of SI units into British units . . . . . . 16

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1 LEADING PARTICULARS trap (4) and is automatically drained. The cold, dried air flows
through heat exchanger (13), where it is warmed up by the
incoming air to approx. 10 degrees Celsius below the incoming
air temperature. Condensation in the air net cannot occur unless
1.1 General description the air is cooled to below the pressure dewpoint indicated by
gauge (1).
The FD air dryers remove moisture from compressed air by
cooling the air to near freezing point. This causes water to
condense. The condensate is automatically drained. The air is
warmed up before leaving the dryer.
1.3 Refrigeration circuit (Fig. 1.2)

Compressor (M1) delivers hot, high-pressure refrigerant gas

which flows through condenser (9) where most of the refrigerant
1.2 Air circuit (Fig. 1.2) condenses.
Compressed air enters heat exchanger (13) and is cooled by The liquid flows through liquid refrigerant dryer/filter (12) to
the outgoing, cold, dried air. Water in the incoming air starts to capillary tube (7). The refrigerant leaves the capillary tube at
condense. The air then flows through heat exchanger/ evaporating pressure.
evaporator (11) where the refrigerant evaporates causing the
air to be further cooled to close to the evaporating temperature The refrigerant enters evaporator (11) where it withdraws heat
of the refrigerant. More water in the air condenses. The cold from the compressed air by further evaporation at constant
air then flows through separator (3) where all the condensate pressure. The heated refrigerant leaves the evaporator and is
is separated from the air. The condensate collects in condensate sucked in by the compressor via accumulator (14).

1
3

M1

50643F

2 4 S7 S3

M1. Refrigerant compressor

S3. Fan control switch
S7. High pressure shut down switch
1. Control panel
2. Condenser
3. Hot gas by-pass valve
4. Liquid refrigerant dryer/filter

Fig. 1.1 General view of FD90

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AI. Wet air inlet 2. Insulating block 9. Refrigerant condenser

AO. Dry air outlet 3. Condensate separator 10. Hot gas by-pass valve
M1. Refrigerant compressor 4. Condensate trap 11. Air/refrigerant heat exchanger/
M2. Condenser fan motor 5. Automatic condensate drain hose evaporator
S3. Fan control switch 6. Manual condensate drain valve 12. Liquid refrigerant dryer/filter
S7. High pressure shut down switch 7. Capillary tube 13. Air/air heat exchanger
1. Pressure dewpoint gauge 8. Condenser cooling fan 14. Accumulator

Fig. 1.2 Air and refrigerant flow diagram

1.4 Automatic regulation system (Fig. 1.2) 1.5 Electrical system (Figs. 1.3 up to 1.6)

The condenser pressure must be kept as constant as possible FD170 60Hz and FD230 60Hz dryers are 3-phase units, all other
to obtain stable operation, therefore, fan control switch (S3) FD dryers are single-phase units.
stops and starts the cooling fan.
The refrigerant compressors (M1) of FD170 and FD230 dryers
When, at partial or no load, the evaporator pressure drops to are equipped with a crankcase heater (Rs). When voltage is
2.25 bar(e), the by-pass regulator opens and hot, high pressure supplied, the heater is energized. It keeps the oil in the crankcase
gas is fed to the evaporator circuit to prevent the evaporator warm to prevent condensing of refrigerant in the compressor
pressure from dropping any further. housing, which could result in serious damage of the compressor
at start (liquid knock).

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C1. Start capacitor M1. Compressor motor S3. Fan control switch
C3. Run capacitor M2. Condenser fan motor S4. Electronic thermostat with
F0. Main fuses, local installation R. Resistor display (optional)
(customer's installation) R1. Temperature sensor, dewpoint S7. High pressure shut down switch
H1. Indicator lamp, VOLTAGE ON (optional) T1. Transformer (optional)
H2. Indicator lamp, DEWPOINT S0. Main switch (customer's Y1. Solenoid valve, interval drain
ALARM (optional) installation) (optional)
K1. Timer (optional) S1. Button, ON-OFF

Fig. 1.3 Electrical diagram of FD90 up to FD130

Fan control switch (S3) starts fan motor (M2) as soon as the The compressor motor has a built-in thermic protection. If the
condenser pressure reaches the upper set point of the switch compressor motor stops without apparent reason, it will
and will stop the fan motor when the condenser pressure probably be the thermic protection which has tripped. In such
decreases to its lower set point. case, the compressor will restart when the motor windings have
cooled down, which may take up to 2 hours.
High pressure shut-down switch (S7-Fig. 1.1) stops the
compressor motor when the pressure in the refrigerant circuit
reaches the upper set point of the switch. After tripping, it
must be reset manually by pressing its reset knob.

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B1. Electronic condensate drain H3. Indicator lamp, DEWPOINT RS. Crankcase heater
(optional) ALARM (optional) S1. Button, ON-OFF
C1. Run capacitor K1. Start relay S3. Fan control switch
C3. Start capacitor M1. Compressor motor S4. Electronic thermostat with
F0. Main fuses, local installation M2. Condenser fan motor display (optional)
(customer's installation) R1. Temperature sensor, dewpoint S7. High pressure shut down switch
H1. Indicator lamp, VOLTAGE ON (optional) T1. Transformer (optional)
H2. Indicator lamp, DRYER RUN
Fig. 1.4 Electrical diagram of FD170 50Hz and FD230 50Hz

F0. Main fuses, local installation K2. Contactor, fan motor S0. Main switch (customer's
(customer's installation) M1. Compressor motor installation)
F3/4. Fuses M2. Condenser fan motor S1. Button, ON-OFF
F8. Thermal overload, fan motor Q1. Circuit breaker S2. High pressure shut down switch
H1. Indicator lamp, VOLTAGE ON Q2. Circuit breaker S3. Fan control switch
H2. Indicator lamp, DRYER RUN R1. Temperature sensor, dewpoint S4. Electronic thermostat with
H3. Indicator lamp, DEWPOINT (optional) display (optional)
ALARM (optional) RS. Crankcase heater T1. Transformer (optional)
K1. Contactor, compressor motor 1x1. Terminal strip
1x2. Terminal strip
Figs. 1.5 and 1.6

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Fig. 1.5 Electrical diagram of FD170 220/440V/60Hz and FD230 220/440V/60Hz

Fig. 1.6 Electrical diagram of FD170 575V/60Hz and FD 230 575V/60Hz

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An electronic thermostat (Fig. 1.7) with display and alarm

functions is available as an option. Display (3) shows the
pressure dewpoint. The set point value, i.e. the pressure
dewpoint at which the alarm indicator lamp lights up, can be
checked by pressing key (5); the value will blink for approx. 5
seconds on the display. The differential value, i.e. the
temperature difference between alarm on and alarm off, can be
checked by pressing key (4); the value will blink on the display
for approx. 5 seconds.

Altering the set point value (indicated "L1")

- Press key (5); the current value blinks on the display.
1. Key, value up
- Press the up (1) or down (2) key until the desired value is
2. Key, value down
reached.
3. Display
- To store the new value, press key (5) or wait a few seconds.
4. Key, differential value
5. Key, set point of maximum pressure dewpoint
Altering the differential value (indicated "HY1")
- Press key (4); the current value blinks on the display.
Fig. 1.7 Detail of electronic dewpoint indicator (optional)
- Press the up (1) or down (2) key until the desired value is
reached.
- Press key (5) or wait a few seconds to store the new value.

If the temperature increases above the preset value, the alarm

indicator lamp will light up.

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2 INSTALLATION
2.1 Dimension drawings (Figs. 2.1 and 2.2)

Fig. 2.1 Dimension drawing of FD90 up to FD130

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Fig. 2.2 Dimension drawing of FD170 up to FD230

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2.2 Installation proposal (Fig. 2.3)

1. FD dryer 4. Pressure gauge 7. By-pass system

2a. DD-type general-purpose prefilter 5. Drain pipe 8. By-pass valve
2c. PD-type afterfilter 6. Dryer outlet valve 9. Dryer inlet valve
3. Air receiver with condensate drain
Fig. 2.3 Installation proposal

4
1. Insulating block with heat exchangers
2. Condenser
3. Condensate separator 51533F
4. Condenser cooling fan
5. Accumulator 5
Fig. 2.4 Side view

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4. A sticker dealing in short with the operating instructions

and explaining the pictographs is delivered with the
literature set. Affix the sticker next to the control panel.
Make yourself familiar with the instructions and pictographs
explained.
5. On single-phase dryers: Fit the electric plug to the voltage
supply cable. Plug in the dryer.
On 3-phase dryers: Check that the primary side
connections of transformer (T1-Figs. 1.5 and 1.6)
correspond with the supply voltage.
1 Check that the electrical installation corresponds to the local
codes. The dryer must be earthed and protected against
short circuits by fuses of the inert type in all phases. An
2 isolating switch must be installed near the dryer.

4
51534F

4 3 1
1. Pictograph, manual condensate drain
2. Manual condensate drain valve
3. Pictograph, automatic condensate drain
4. Automatic condensate drain

Fig. 2.5 Rear view 2 M1

5
2.3 Installation instructions C3

1. Install the dryer where the ambient air is as clean as possible

and where the temperature of the air will never exceed the 51541F
limits (see section 7). Keep the ventilation gratings of the M2 S7 S3 6
dryer free.
If necessary, take action to avoid external influences (wind,
draughts, etc.) through the ventilation gratings of the dryer,
as they may disturb the cooling air flow.
2. Connect the compressed air lines to the marked inlet and
outlet pipes of the dryer (Figs. 2.1 and 2.2). Provide an air C3. Run capacitor
inlet valve and outlet valve. If a by-pass pipe and valve are M1. Refrigerant compressor
installed, the dryer can be serviced while by-passing the M2. Condenser fan motor
dryer. S3. Fan control switch
3. Fit manual condensate drain valve (2-Fig. 2.5). S7. High pressure shut down switch
Lay out the condensate drain hoses via a funnel towards a 1. Hot gas by-pass valve
drain collector to allow visual inspection. The hoses must 2. Condenser
slope downwards. For draining of pure condensate, install 3. Condensate trap
an oil/water separator; consult Atlas Copco. 4. Insulating block with heat exchangers
If the condensate drain has been led down outside the 5. Liquid refrigerant dryer/filter
compressor room where it may be exposed to freezing 6. Cubicle
temperatures, it must be insulated.
Fig. 2.6 Side view

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2.4 Pictographs (Fig. 2.7) 3 OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

Safety precautions
The operator must apply all relevant safety precautions,
including those mentioned in this book.

Altitude operation
Consult Atlas Copco if operating above 3000 m.

3.1 Initial start

1. At least 4 hours before starting, the mains supply to the

dryer must be switched on to energize the crankcase heater
of the refrigerant compressor.
2. On 3-phase dryers (see section 1.5), press on-off button
(S1-Fig. 3.2). Check that the sense of rotation of fan motor
(M2-Fig. 2.6) is correct. Cooling air must be drawn in
through the condenser and blown over the refrigerant
compressor to outside the dryer. If wrong, switch off the
voltage and reverse two of the three phase connections at
the mains terminals.

1. Switch off and depressurize the dryer before starting

maintenance or repairs
3.2 Starting (Figs. 3.1 and 3.2)
2. Manual condensate drain
3. Automatic condensate drain 1. On FD170 and FD230, switch on the voltage 4 hours before
4. Pressure dewpoint starting to energize the crankcase heater. Voltage on lamp
5. Dryer on-off (H1) is alight.
6. Voltage on 2. If installed, close the dryer by-pass valve.
7. Dewpoint alarm 3. Press on-off button (S1).
4. Open the dryer air inlet valve (customer's installation).
Fig. 2.7 Pictographs 5. Approx. 5 minutes later, open the dryer air outlet valve
(customer's installation).
6. Approx. 10 minutes later, the nominal dewpoint will be
reached.

3 2
3 2
50642F
50647F S1/H2 H1 4 1
S1/H1 4 1

Fig. 3.1 Control panel of FD90 up to FD130 Fig. 3.2 Control panel of FD170 and
(typical example) FD230 (typical example)

H1. Indicator lamp, VOLTAGE ON 1. Pressure dewpoint indicator 4. Pictograph, dewpoint alarm
H2. Indicator lamp, DRYER RUN 2. Pictograph, pressure dewpoint 5. Pictograph, voltage on
S1. Button, ON-OFF 3. Pictograph, dryer on-off

Figs. 3.1 and 3.2

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3.3 During operation 5 SETTINGS

Regularly check: The regulating and safety devices are factory-adjusted to obtain
1. Pressure dewpoint indicator (1-Figs. 3.1 and 3.2). 1) optimum performance of the dryer. Do not alter the setting of
2. That condensate is discharged (4-Fig. 2.5). The amount any of the devices.
depends on the operating conditions.
3. Regularly open manual drain valve (2-Fig. 2.5) for approx.
10 seconds to discharge condensate and possible impurities.

3.4 Stopping (Figs. 3.1 and 3.2) 6 PROBLEM SOLVING (Fig. 1.2)
1. Close the dryer inlet and outlet valves (customer's
installation). 1. Pressure dewpoint too high
2. Press on-off button (S1). The dryer stops. Voltage on lamp a. Air inlet temperature too high
(H1) remains alight. On FD170 and FD230, the crankcase a. Check and correct; if necessary, install a pre-cooler
heater remains switched on. Leave the voltage on if the b. Ambient temperature too high
dryer has to remain stand-by. b. Check and correct; if necessary, draw cooling air via a duct
from a cooler place or relocate dryer
c. Air inlet pressure too low
c. Increase inlet pressure
d. Dryer capacity exceeded
4 MAINTENANCE d. Reduce air flow
e. Shortage of refrigerant
Cooling dryers of FD type contain refrigerant HFC. e. Have circuit checked for leaks and recharged
f. Refrigerant compressor (M1) does not run
Safety precautions f. See 3
When handling refrigerant R404a, all applicable safety g. Evaporator pressure too high
precautions must be observed. The following points are g. See 6
stressed: h. Condenser pressure too high
- Contact of refrigerant with the skin will cause freezing. h. See 2
Special gloves must be worn and in case of contact, the
skin should be rinsed with water. On no account may 2. Condenser pressure too high or too low
clothing be removed. a. Fan control switch (S3) out of order
- Fluid refrigerant will also cause freezing of the eyes; a. Replace
therefore, safety glasses are a must. b. Fan or fan motor out of order
- Refrigerant R404a is poisonous. Do not inhale refrigerant b. Check fan/fan motor
vapours. Check that the working area is adequately c. Ambient temperature too high
ventilated. c. Check and correct; if necessary, draw cooling air via a duct
from a cooler place or relocate dryer
Local legislation may impose that: d. Condenser externally clogged
- work in the refrigerant circuit of the cooling dryer or on d. Clean condenser
any equipment which influences its function should
according to the law be executed by an authorized control 3. Compressor stops or does not start
body. a. Electric power supply to compressor is interrupted
- the installation should according to the law be checked once a. Check and correct as necessary
a year by an authorized control body. b. Thermic protection of refrigerant compressor motor (M1)
has tripped
General b. Motor will restart when motor windings have cooled down
- Keep the dryer clean.
- Brush or blow off the finned surface of condenser (2-Fig. 4. Condensate trap remains inoperative
1.1) regularly. a. Automatic drain system clogged
- Once every six months inspect and clean the inner a. Flush the assembly by opening manual drain valve. Have
components of condensate trap (3-Fig. 2.6). system inspected

Footnote chapter 3

1) The pressure dewpoint will deviate from nominal if the air inlet conditions or volume flow differ from nominal.

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5. Condensate trap continuously discharges air and water

a. Automatic drain system out of order
a. Have system checked

6. Evaporator pressure is too high or too low at unload

a. Hot gas by-pass valve incorrectly set or out of order
a. Have hot gas by-pass valve adjusted
b. Condenser pressure too high or too low
b. See 2
c. Shortage of refrigerant
c. Have circuit checked for leaks and recharged

7 PRINCIPAL DATA

7.1 Limitations/nominal conditions

50 Hz 60 Hz

Nominal conditions
Compressed air inlet pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . bar(e) 7 7
Compressed air inlet temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Celsius 35 38
Ambient temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Celsius 25 38
Inlet relative vapour pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1
Pressure dewpoint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Celsius 3 4
Cooling air inlet temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Celsius 25 38

Limitations
Maximum compressed air inlet pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . bar(e) 13 13
Min.-max. ambient air temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Celsius 0-45 0-45
Min.-max. compressed air inlet temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Celsius 0-55 0-55

7.2 Specific data of FD90, FD110 and FD130 1)

FD90 FD110 FD130

Volume flow at dryer inlet at nominal conditions . . . . . 50 Hz l/s 90 110 130

60 Hz l/s 92 113 135

Pressure drop through dryer at nominal conditions,

approx. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . bar 0.16 0.15 0.21

Electric power input . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Hz kW 1.30 1.40 1.90

60 Hz kW 1.80 2.30 2.30

Refrigerant
Tetrafluoroethane CH2FCF3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . R404a R404a R404a

Total charge, approx. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Hz kg 0.80 1.00 1.10

60 Hz kg 1.00 1.10 1.10

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7.3 Specific data of FD170 and FD230 1)

FD170 FD230

Volume flow at dryer inlet at nominal conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Hz l/s 170 230

60 Hz l/s 175 235

Pressure drop through dryer at nominal conditions, approx. . . . . . . . . 50 Hz bar 0.22 0.22
60 Hz bar 0.25 0.22

Electric power input . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Hz kW 1.90 2.40

60 Hz kW 3.60 3.60

Refrigerant
Tetrafluoroethane CH2FCF3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . R404a R404a
Total charge, approx. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Hz kg 1.80 1.80
60 Hz kg 1.60 1.70

Footnote chapter 7

1) At nominal conditions.

8 CONVERSION LIST OF SI UNITS INTO BRITISH UNITS

1 bar = 14.504 psi 1 l = 0.220 Imp gal (UK) 1 mbar = 0.401 in wc

1 g = 0.035 oz 1 l = 0.035 cu.ft 1 N = 0.225 lbf
1 kg = 2.205 lb 1 m = 3.281 ft 1 Nm = 0.738 lbf.ft
1 km/h = 0.621 mile/h 1 mm = 0.039 in x degrees Celsius = (32 + 1.8x) degrees
1 kW = 1.341 hp (UK and US) 1 m3/min = 35.315 cfm Fahrenheit 1)
1 l = 0.264 US gal

Footnote chapter 8

1) A temperature difference of 1 degree Celsius = a temperature difference of 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit

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