ER – 67B Engl.

WABCO
Twin-Cylinder Air Dryer

Description / Maintenance

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 ER – 67B

Air Dryer

Please observe the instructions SI-0400-03 and BS-02.05!

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1 GENERAL INFORMATION

Introduction:
Ambient air that is sucked in by the compressor contains a certain amount of moisture. This
means that the compressor compresses a gas mixture consisting of air and water vapour.
The saturation limit (dew point) of the water vapour portion depends on the air temperature
and its relative humidity. As the air conveyed through the device is heated up, the absolute
moisture value remains constant, but the maximum quantity of water vapour that can be
absorbed increases. And vice versa, when the air temperature drops, the water vapour
portion condenses to water and precipitates.

Example:
Given a relative air humidity of 100% and an air temperature of 50°C, the water vapour
portion amounts to 90 g in 1 m³ of air taken in. If the temperature of the air taken in drops to
30°C, 60 g of water will precipitate. This equals as much as 0.06 l.

Task:
Air dryers can be fitted in compressed-air generation systems of any type. Their task is to
reduce the amount of water vapour that to a varying extent develops in the compressed air.
For this purpose the process of cold-regenerated adsorption drying is used.
This means that the compressed air conveyed by the compressor is led through a desiccant
that absorbs the water vapour contained in the air. Regeneration of the desiccant is achieved
with the help of dried air.

The advantage of the twin-vessel principle:

Regeneration in single-cylinder air dryers is performed only during the idling phase of the
compressor. In contrast, regeneration in a twin-cylinder air dryer is controlled by a solenoid
valve with integral timer. This procedure makes sure that the absorbing capacity of the
desiccant is maintained even if the compressor is on for a long period. Twin-cylinder air
dryers are therefore mainly used in vehicles with high levels of air consumption.

NOTE:
In order to achieve high efficiency, the compressed air intake temperature
should be approximately 65°C. No frost protective devices must be installed in
front of the air dryer.

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2 TECHNICAL DATA
Twin-Cylinder Air Dryer Product Line
The device is in compliance with the electromagnetic devices regulations according to
VDE 0580.

Supply voltage: +24V

Kind of current: direct current
Operational Mode: continuous
Rated current: IN= 0.6A
System of protection according to DIN 40050: IP 66A
Agent: compressed air
Working pressure: Pe ≤ 13 bar
Thermal range of continuous operation: -40°C – +65°C
Resistance to heat: ≤ +80°C
Maximum admissible frequency: 50 Hz
Maximum admissible acceleration: ± 10 xg
Turn-on temperature of heating device: 7°C ± 6°C
Turn-off temperature of heating device: 29.5°C ± 3°C 

NOTE:

For details please refer to the manufacturer's documentation.

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3 FUNCTION OF THE TWIN-CYLINDER AIR DRYER

First Intake of Air:

In unpressurised mode the non-return valves

(7), (9), (21), the overflow valve (10) and the
solenoid valve (11) are closed.
Valve (12) is open on the inlet side (14),
valve (18) is open on the outlet side (19).
Therefore the air dryer on principle has to be
taken into service via vessel I.
This is determined by the function of the
overflow valve (10).

Drying of Compressed Air in Vessel I:

Compressed air enters through the

connection (1) and is led through the
channels (0) and (g) into the annulus (e), the
filter (8), the gap (b) and on to the space (a)
above the desiccant cartridge (5).
The compressed air flows through the sieves
and felt discs fitted above and below the
cartridge (5).
During this procedure the moisture contained
in the air clings to the surface of the
desiccant beads (6) by absorption.
The air that now flows into the space (c)
opens the non-return valve (9).
Now dry compressed air can enter the
downstream devices of the brake system
through the connection (2). At the same time
compressed air flows to the closed overflow
valve (10).

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Desiccant Regeneration in Vessel II and Opening of the Overflow Valve:

To allow the desiccant (23) in vessel II to be

regenerated, the compressed air contained
in the channel (p) is led through the nozzle
bore (u) into the desiccant cartridge (22)
while the non-return valve (21) remains shut.
Compressed air now streams through the
desiccant cartridge (22) from bottom to top
and dry compressed air absorbs moisture
from the surface of the desiccant (23).
The compressed air that now contains
moisture and whose pressure is reduced
flows through the space (w), the gap (v), the
annulus (s), the open outlet valve (19), the
channel (n) at the air dryer vent (3) into the
open air.
When pressure is built up to approximately
4.5 to 5.0 bar in the connection (2), the
overflow valve (10) opens and thus lets air
into the channel (k) leading to the solenoid
valve (11).
This is to make sure that the procedure of
drying will always start in vessel I when air is
taken in for the first time.

Air Dryer Changeover:

An integral timer with a preset time interval

opens the solenoid valve (11).
Now the compressed air contained in
channel (k) flows into channel (h).
Due to the resulting pressurisation of valves
(12) and (18) the air dryer changes modes.
As described above under "drying" and
"regeneration", drying is now effected in
vessel II and regeneration in vessel I.
This procedure repeats approximately every
30 seconds – as preset by the integral timer
of the solenoid valve.
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Automatic Drainage:

When the cut-off pressure is reached, the

pressure governor takes air into the
connection (4) of the air dryer.
Now the drain valve (16) opens and any
condensate that may have developed in the
connection (1) can emanate via the vent
outlet (3).
At the same time the pressure in channels
(m), (n), (o) and (p) drops.
The non-return valve (9) closes, thus
maintaining the pressure in connection (2)
and channels (h) and (k).
When connection (4) is vented, the drain
valve (16) closes again.
Now pressure in the air dryer can build up
again.

Function of the Heating Device:

If the air dryer is equipped with a heating cartridge (15), this cartridge is turned on if the
temperature drops below approximately 6°C and turned off at temperatures exceeding
approximately 30°C.

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4 MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS
If condensate is found in the air cylinders during regular checks in driving mode, the
regeneration function must be checked and the desiccant cartridge replaced, if necessary.
Experience has shown that it might become necessary to change the cartridge after
approximately 2 years.

IMPORTANT:

The entire cartridge has to be treated as hazardous waste.

Note: For servicing the air dryer has to be switched off (i.e., no compressed air in
the device).

Changing the desiccant vessel:

• Vent the air dryer.
• Unscrew the vessel with a special filter wrench, remove it and return it for recycling
purposes or dispose of it in the same way as an oil filter.
• Clean the casing seat and the threaded stem of the air dryer and check for any
damage.
• Slightly grease the seal of the vessel and its threaded stem.
• The desiccant vessel must not be damaged (e.g. dents)
• Manually fit the vessel on the air dryer casing until the seal lies on the casing, then
tighten it manually by performing half a revolution (M=15 Nm).
• Let air into the air dryer and check for leak tightness. If necessary, retighten the
vessel (after venting).
• Enter the due date of the next vessel change on the list of due dates. The vessel
must be changed every 2 years. It must be changed earlier if the compressed air is
high in contaminants.
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5 SERVICE INFORMATION
Check the air dryer periodically to avoid damage to the compressed air system.
Check the air dryer for leaks and make sure that it functions flawlessly by checking the air
vessels (for condensate). Furthermore check the switching pulses of the timer solenoid
valve (every 30 s) and compare the flow of outgoing air. At the time of changing over the
air dryer ventilation is more intense for a short period.
Daily drain the drip cups of the compressed-air supply line.

5.1 ASSEMBLY AND LIST OF COMPONENTS

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List of components:

Item Part name Order number Quantity

AIR DRYER 400 920 084 0

Repair set 432 433 923 2 1

2 O-Ring ISO3601-9X2,5 897 071 641 4 2
3 Valve body 432 433 023 4 2
4 Compression spring 896 700 004 4 1
5 O-Ring ISO3601-23X2 897 082 790 4 1
6 O-Ring ISO3601-16,3X2,4 897 080 670 4 1
7 Valve body 432 433 140 4 1
Lubricant 830 502 076 4 1
Cartridge with desiccant 432 410 222 7 2