A/C Dryer Question

[C9]

I picked up an aluminum tank A/C dryer at the junkyard yesterday.

Off a mid-80's or so Chevy pickup - I think, they all look alike to me.

Anyway, what does the dryer do, how does it do it and what's the stuff/thing on the inside?
Am I correct in thinking it's some kind of membrane?
It seems to have a pink tinge to it.

Plans are to use the tank for another purpose and I'll probably end up cutting it open to remove the stuff inside along with adapting some smaller fittings to the huge ones It came with.

I would guess the stuff inside would be compatible with oil and if it didn't take up too much volume I could leave the tank un-cut and use it as is.

[EMSjunkie]

Be careful working with it, especially if you heat it up.

the residual freon will produce a potentially harmful gas.

bad stuff.  ya don't wanna be breathing it, it could be your last breath

the pink tinge is prolly a dye for finding leaks. :?

there might be some dissicant inside, to trap the moisture.

thats what they do, hence the name dryer.


Vance

[enjenjo]

The air dryer traps any residual moisture that might be present in the refrigerant. It also stores refrigerant until needed. The stuff in there is a dessicant, and first cousin to oil dry. Some of them also contain a filter. The pink in the window means it's no good, too much moisture. The dessicant can break down over time into smaller particles that can escape.

I have no idea what you intended use is, but if it's for oil storage, I think I would remove the dessicant.

One other thought, in the era you took that part from, GM also used a "muffler" in the AC system. It may be that too.

[C9]

Forgot to say what I was doing . . . I'm making an air-oil separator and thought the aluminum tank woud be a good surge/extra capacity/initial oil-air separation tank.

A smaller tank will have a filtering medium that will pick up oil which drains back to the bottom and eventually into the crankcase.

I'm going to use the whole schmear in conjunction with a poorly baffled PCV system.

The way the tank is constructed, it won't be difficult to cut open, remove the innards, add a fitting and put it back together.

No heat will be applied until the tank is bare and clean, but the Freon warning is a good one.
I'll run some air through it prior to disassembly.

The junkyard guy - who seems pretty knowledgeable - called it a dryer and charged the dryer price.
$10. which didn't strike me as too bad.

[Ed ke6bnl]

Be careful working with it, especially if you heat it up.

the residual freon will produce a potentially harmful gas.

bad stuff.  ya don't wanna be breathing it, it could be your last breath

the pink tinge is prolly a dye for finding leaks. :?

there might be some dissicant inside, to trap the moisture.

thats what they do, hence the name dryer.


Vance

phosgene  gas nerve gas when heated.

A colorless volatile liquid or gas, COCl2, used as a poison gas and in making glass, dyes, resins, and plastics.

[tomslik]

hey, want me to start saving 'em for ya?
a/c season is just about here....

[EMSjunkie]

phosgene  gas nerve gas when heated.

A colorless volatile liquid or gas, COCl2, used as a poison gas and in making glass, dyes, resins, and plastics.

Thats the stuff.

really nasty.  worked a fire where some refriderators were burned.

took out a couple Volunteer Firefighters :x

Vance

[C9]

hey, want me to start saving 'em for ya?
a/c season is just about here....

Yeah.
Nice offer.

Two will be plenty.

Many thanks....


(Lemme know and I'll send you the shipping $$.)

[tomslik]

any particular style?
there IS a bunch of 'em....

[C9]

The one I got had two large fittings on the side near the top.
Both fittings at the same level and oriented 45 degrees apart.

Fittings at 180 degrees are usable as well.
As would be the tanks with two fittings up high on the sides and one smaller one on the side down low.

The upper and lower halves of the aluminum tank are different sizes - one slides into the other.
That style or similar would be great.
Makes it easy for me to get it back together.

[tomslik]

i think i got an idea of what you want.
i'll keep an eye out, there'll be some, just when is the deal.
you in a hurry?

[C9]

No rush.

The one I have goes in my 32 and a little way down the line I'll put a setup together for my 31.

Thanks again.