seems like the best solution to the moisture problem would be to learn what components are directly in contact with the moist air and learn to tearn down and maintain those areas.This is often stated, and is true with qualifications. In principle, for a given amount of either desiccant or chilling, the statement is true. But with an appropriately sized desiccant filter, or with a deep enough temperature of chilling, air can be "dried" (aka have the vapor level reduced) just fine before compression.
The main reason that it is "easier" to dry air after compression is because the act of compression itself drives much of the water vapor out of the air, and then also because the amount air flow is reduced significantly because the pressurised air is denser (ame amount of air, just with molecules closer together). This increases dwell time in the filter dramatically.
But those that say we can't dry before compression are just wrong, or at least misreading the facts.
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