The safety and functionality demands on commercial vehicles are high, especially when it comes to compressed air. Modern commercial vehicles now feature compressed air safety systems that control various functions, primarily the braking system, air suspension, and even transmission control. For everything to work reliably, the compressed air in the system must be clean, oil-free, and, most importantly, dry.
Tiny but mighty: The granules in air dryer cartridges have a diameter of just one to three millimeters, depending on the vehicle manufacturer’s specifications. However, only a few grams of these small beads can cover a surface area of several thousand square meters. These open-pore silica gel beads play a crucial role by removing moisture from the air compressed by the compressor before it is stored in the vehicle’s air tanks. At low outdoor temperatures, air dryers also prevent condensation, which could cause valves and regulators to freeze.
Like other wear parts in commercial vehicles, air dryer cartridges must be replaced regularly. It’s important to note that because they are safety-relevant components, all manufacturer specifications must be strictly followed.
MAHLE offers a comprehensive range of air dryer cartridges that cover most of the European commercial vehicle fleet, regardless of whether it's for larger or smaller vehicles.
If an air dryer cartridge can no longer regenerate, for example, if the replacement interval is not observed, the moisture and dirt levels in the compressed air will steadily increase. The granules will then absorb water, clump together, and eventually break down due to vehicle vibrations and the pulsation of the compressor, releasing debris into the compressed air system. This can lead to serious and costly damage to mechanical compressed air components.
The housing of the air dryer cartridge is made from durable steel. It features a threaded end plate for mounting to the head. What’s unique is the content of the cartridge: the desiccant. The entire surface is designed to quickly adsorb moisture from the passing air and release it again during regeneration.
MAHLE air dryer cartridges work independently of temperature. The desiccant is regenerated through a system-controlled process, simultaneously removing contaminants and condensation. MAHLE air dryer cartridges are corrosion-resistant inside and out, making them highly reliable even in extreme conditions, such as in construction vehicles or long-distance transport.
Some models also feature enhanced oil separators (coalescers) integrated into the air dryer cartridge to extend system life and filter out even the finest oil particles from the compressed air.