Case Study: Eliminating Valve Freezing in a Craft Brewery’s Outdoor Silos
🍺 The Challenge
Confluence Brewing, a craft brewery located in Des Moines, Iowa, was experiencing freezing issues in pneumatic valves and cylinders controlling their outdoor silos. The system used an Ingersoll Rand R11n 15 HP compressor with a refrigerated air dryer.
While the refrigerated dryer worked well indoors, cold winter temperatures caused residual moisture in the air lines to freeze once the air exited the building. This resulted in frozen valves, interrupted production flow, and costly downtime during peak brewing operations.
The brewery needed a simple, low-maintenance solution to ensure dry air reached outdoor equipment.
🔧 The Super-Dry Solution
Super-Dry recommended installing a Model D-1 Desiccant Air Dryer approximately 100 feet downstream from the compressor, just before the air line exited outdoors.
💧 Point-of-use installation — removes residual moisture after the refrigerated dryer
🧱 Compact and easy to install — ideal for wall-mounting in utility rooms
❄️ Reliable winter protection — ensures dry, moisture-free air reaches outdoor valves and actuators
This setup added a final drying stage to handle temperature drops that the main dryer could not manage.
📈 Results
🚫 No More Frozen Valves — Outdoor silo valves and actuators now operate reliably in all weather conditions
⚙️ Improved Production Consistency — The brewing process remains stable with no unplanned interruptions
💰 Low-Cost, High-Impact Upgrade — Immediate results without modifying the existing compressor or dryer system
🌨️ All-Season Reliability — Continuous dry air flow through harsh winter conditions
🛠️ Product Details
Compressor Used: Ingersoll Rand R11n 15 HP
Existing System: Refrigerated air dryer
Added Equipment: Super-Dry Model D-1 Desiccant Air Dryer
Installation: 100 ft downstream, before outdoor line
Application: Outdoor silo valve and cylinder protection
Result: Dry, freeze-free compressed air during winter months
✅ Outcome Summary
By adding a Super-Dry D-1 downstream of the main system, Confluence Brewing eliminated freezing issues and significantly improved operational reliability without changing their existing setup.
🏭 About the Client
Confluence Brewing is a Des Moines-based craft brewery known for its commitment to quality, locally crafted beer, and sustainable brewing practices. Their operation focuses on reliability, efficiency, and consistent production year-round.
