Standard for Liquid-Line Driers

ARI 710-86: Standard for Liquid-Line Driers

Ensuring the longevity and efficiency of refrigeration and air-conditioning systems relies heavily on maintaining refrigerant purity. ARI 710-86, the "Standard for Liquid-Line Driers," provides the essential framework for understanding and specifying these critical components, offering engineers and designers a proven methodology for selecting driers that meet stringent performance requirements.

What is ARI 710-86?

ARI 710-86, developed by the Air-Conditioning & Refrigeration Institute (ARI), establishes a comprehensive procedure for rating the capacity of liquid-line refrigerant driers. Its primary purpose is to provide a standardized method for determining water capacity and refrigerant flow capacity, enabling consistent comparison and selection of driers for various HVACR applications.

Scope & Purpose

This authoritative standard governs the testing and rating of solid desiccant driers specifically designed for use in the liquid lines of refrigeration and air-conditioning systems. It defines key performance metrics such as water capacity and refrigerant flow capacity under specified conditions. Notably, this standard does not cover filtration performance due to insufficient data and excludes driers intended for suction lines or those utilizing liquid anti-freeze solutions.

Who Must Comply?

• • Primary audience: Refrigeration Engineers, HVAC Designers, Equipment Manufacturers, and Service Technicians.
• • Industries affected: HVAC Manufacturing, Commercial Refrigeration, Industrial Cooling Systems, and Mechanical Systems Installation.
• • Compliance nature: While ARI standards are often voluntary, adherence is highly recommended for product comparability and industry best practices, influencing purchasing decisions and project specifications.
• • Enforcement: Compliance is typically driven by market demands, OEM specifications, and contractual agreements. Manufacturers who publish ratings based on ARI 710-86 are expected to adhere to its methodologies.

Key Requirements Overview

• • The standard requires manufacturers to establish clear ratings for a drier's water capacity, indicating its ability to absorb moisture while maintaining a specified Equilibrium Point Dryness (EPD).
• • Professionals must ensure that refrigerant flow capacity ratings are determined to prevent excessive pressure drop, safeguarding system efficiency and performance.
• • Key provisions include standardized testing methods to ensure consistency in performance data across different manufacturers.
• • The standard outlines specific assumptions for calculating drier capacity based on assumed refrigerant charge and wetness levels for common refrigerants like R-12, R-22, and R-502.
• • Safety recommendations are provided to guide the proper installation and operational considerations for liquid-line driers.

Related Standards & References

ARI 710-86 often works in conjunction with standards like ASHRAE 34, which provides refrigerant designation nomenclature, ensuring clarity in the application of drier ratings across different refrigerant types. Additionally, performance data generated according to this standard can inform selections based on broader system design principles outlined by organizations like ASHRAE.