Brilliant Aftercooler BA328: Cleaner, Drier Air for Dry Ice Blasting

Compressed-air quality has a direct effect on dry ice blasting. Air coming straight from a compressor can be hot and carry significant moisture, particularly when the compressor is working hard. The Brilliant Aftercooler BA328 cools the compressed air and removes moisture before the air reaches the blasting machine.

Compressing air raises its temperature, while moisture from the surrounding atmosphere remains in the air stream. As the hot compressed air passes through the BA328, it is cooled rapidly. This causes moisture to condense so that it can be separated and removed through the unit's filtration system.

The result is cooler, drier air being supplied to the blasting equipment.

Why Drier Air Matters

Moisture in a compressed-air system can cause problems for air-driven equipment and affect dry ice blasting performance. The Brilliant Aftercooler BA328 treats the air before it reaches the blaster helps reduce the amount of heat and moisture reaching downstream components.

This can improve operating consistency and reduce moisture-related problems within the system. It can also reduce the load on a separate air dryer where one forms part of the setup.

In some installations, pre-cooling the compressed air may allow a smaller dryer to be used, depending on the required air quality, flow rate and operating conditions.

Dry air becomes particularly important when dry ice blasting is being used around electrical equipment or other moisture-sensitive components. Introducing additional moisture in these environments is something maintenance teams generally want to avoid.

Fully Pneumatic Operation

The BA328 is fully pneumatic and does not require an electrical power connection. This makes it useful on industrial sites where electrical supply is limited or where running another electrical connection to the work area would be inconvenient.

The setup is relatively simple. A compressed-air hose runs from the compressor to the marked inlet on the BA328. A second hose connects the outlet to the dry ice blasting equipment.

Both connections use 1½-inch BSP fittings, and dedicated attachment points are provided for anti-whip restraints on the hoses.

The unit is mounted on a mobile frame with wheels, allowing it to be moved between cleaning locations in a workshop, plant or on site.

Straightforward Maintenance

There isn't a long maintenance list for the BA328.

Before operation, the lubricator should be checked to make sure it contains sufficient air-tool-grade oil. The radiator coil also needs to be kept clear of dust and grime, as a build-up will restrict airflow through the coil and reduce cooling efficiency.

A pressure regulator controls the air supplied to the pneumatic motor and is preset at 7 bars. This setting should not be exceeded. Maximum inlet pressure for the unit is 16 bar. Dry Ice Blasting Services supplies the Brilliant Aftercooler BA328 for use with industrial dry ice blasting systems.

For operations where compressor heat and moisture are affecting the quality of the air supplied to a dry ice blaster, the BA328 provides a straightforward way of conditioning that air before it reaches the machine. It cools the compressed air, removes condensed moisture and does so without requiring an electrical connection at the unit itself. Visitors to Electra Mining Africa 2026 can learn more about the BA328 and its use in dry ice blasting applications at the show.