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AirPrep™ Systems
AirPrep™ Systems
Moisture is the second largest enemy of blasting productivity, causing flash rusting, clogged blast pots, damaged control valves, and reduced output. Schmidt® AirPrep Systems tackle this problem head-on, with documented production increases of 12-15% simply by adding one to your operation. Industry-leading in air treating capability and extremely low pressure drop, AirPrep Systems are available as aftercoolers or air dryers and come packed with features including a compact vertical airflow design, pneumatic fan motor, protective bar grating, and skid-mounted portability with forklift pockets and lifting eyes—in both portable and stationary configurations.
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Compressed Air Treatment for Abrasive Blasting
Moisture in compressed air is one of the biggest hidden costs in abrasive blasting. Wet compressed air causes flash rusting, clogged blast pots, damp abrasive, damaged control valves and inconsistent blasting results. Every one of these problems has a real cost i.e re-blasting flash-rusted surfaces, replacing damaged control components, purging clogged abrasive lines, and rework on failed coatings. Schmidt® AirPrep™ Systems are engineered to remove moisture and contaminants from compressed air before they reach the blast pot and help maintain consistent performance and productivity across every shift.
How AirPrep Systems Work
Schmidt AirPrep System treats compressed air in four stages:
- Screening: Incoming air passes through a strainer that captures heavy contaminants and debris.
- Cooling: A properly sized radiator lowers the air temperature, causing humidity to condense into water droplets.
- Cyclonic Separation: The cooled air enters a vessel where cyclonic action forces water droplets to the vessel walls, where they drain out.
- Demisting: A stainless steel demister pad captures the finest remaining water particles, further cleaning the airflow.
After these four stages, clean and dry air is delivered to the blast pot and ready for consistent, productive blasting.
Which AirPrep System Do You Need?
The right AirPrep configuration depends on three things: compressor size, environment, and moisture removal needs.
Aftercooler Systems
Schmidt Aftercooler Systems reduce the temperature of compressed air after it leaves the compressor, allowing moisture to condense so it can be separated before the air reaches the blast pot. Available in multiple sizes, Schmidt ACS units provide an efficient way to improve compressed-air quality while maintaining low pressure drop. Sizes are available from 250 to 2,500 CFM to accommodate a wide range of blasting operations. Aftercooler Systems are available in portable and stationary configurations and feature a compact vertical airflow design, pneumatic fan motor and protective bar grating. Skid-mounted units also include forklift pockets and lifting eyes for easier transportation and positioning.
Air Dryer Systems
For blasting operations where greater moisture removal is required, Schmidt Air Dryer Systems provide additional air treatment. These systems are particularly useful in high-humidity environments or applications where controlling moisture is critical to surface preparation quality. The ADS uses multistep filtration to capture debris and help prevent contaminants from reaching downstream blasting equipment. The system uses deliquescent tablets with a glass marble bed for moisture removal and is hot-dip galvanized to help protect against internal rusting.
Moisture Separators
Moisture separators provide another way to remove condensed moisture from compressed air before it reaches the blast pot. They can be used as part of an air treatment system or in applications where a moisture separator is appropriate for the operating conditions. Proper moisture separation helps prevent damp abrasive and moisture-related interruptions that can affect blasting productivity.
Built for Demanding Blasting Environments
Schmidt AirPrep Systems are engineered specifically with abrasive blasting applications in mind. Their compact designs make them practical for both stationary and mobile operations, while features such as protective grating, pneumatic fan motors and transport-friendly configurations support use in demanding field environments. Depending on the model, AirPrep Systems can handle working pressures up to 150 psig at 250°F. Their low-pressure-drop design helps provide effective air treatment without unnecessarily restricting the compressed-air supply available to the blasting system.
AirPrep Systems FAQs
What is an AirPrep System?
An AirPrep System treats compressed air before it reaches abrasive blasting equipment. Schmidt AirPrep Systems are designed to reduce moisture and contaminants in compressed air, helping prevent problems such as flash rusting, damp abrasive and clogged blast pots.
Why is moisture a problem in abrasive blasting?
Moisture in compressed air can cause several problems during abrasive blasting. It can contribute to flash rusting, cause abrasives to become damp and clog the blast pot, damage control components and reduce overall blasting productivity.
How does an aftercooler remove moisture from compressed air?
An aftercooler reduces the temperature of compressed air after it leaves the compressor. As the compressed air cools, moisture condenses and can then be separated from the air before it reaches the blasting equipment. Schmidt Aftercooler Systems use a four-stage process: screening, cooling, cyclonic separation, and demisting.
Are Schmidt AirPrep Systems portable?
Yes. Schmidt AirPrep Systems are available in portable and stationary configurations. Skid-mounted configurations include forklift pockets and full-load lifting eyes to facilitate transportation and positioning.
What pressure can Schmidt AirPrep Systems handle?
The current Schmidt specifications list a maximum working pressure of 150 psig at 250°F and a minimum operating temperature of 35°F at 150 psig. Specific product configurations should be evaluated for the requirements of the application.
How does an aftercooler remove moisture from compressed air?
An aftercooler reduces the temperature of compressed air after it leaves the compressor. As the compressed air cools, moisture condenses and can then be separated from the air before it reaches the blasting equipment. Schmidt Aftercooler Systems use a four-stage process: screening, cooling, cyclonic separation, and demisting.
What is the difference between an aftercooler and an air dryer?
An air dryer may be appropriate when blasting in high-humidity environments or when moisture removal is especially critical to the application. The appropriate system depends on factors such as compressor output, environmental conditions and blasting requirements.
When should I use an air dryer instead of an aftercooler?
Routine maintenance should include inspecting hoses, valves, moisture separators, nozzles, seals, and other wear components. Regular preventive maintenance helps maintain consistent abrasive flow, reduces unexpected downtime, and extends equipment life.
Can AirPrep Systems increase blasting productivity?
Yes. Schmidt reports documented production increases of 12% to 15% in blasting operations that added an AirPrep System. Treating compressed air can help reduce moisture-related problems and interruptions while supporting more consistent blasting performance.
What sizes are Schmidt Aftercooler Systems available in?
Schmidt Aftercooler Systems are available in 250, 400, 750, 950, 1,200, 1,600, 2,000 and 2,500 CFM configurations.