Axxiom Pressure Vessel

In 2025, the team at Atlantic Design Inc. (ADI) of Baltimore, Maryland requested a custom ASME-coded pressure vessel to support their 175 psi compressed air systems used in mobile abrasive blast and reclaim units. These systems are important for removing old coatings and corrosion from structures such as bridges, water towers and aircraft carriers. By removing old coatings, these structures will prepare metal surfaces for new, protective finishes.

Working in partnership with Axxiom Manufacturing, Inc. (Axxiom), the team engineered an innovative all-in-one desiccant dryer vessel that cools the air, removes liquid water, and dries the remaining moisture through a desiccant absorption bed. This complex system performs under these circumstances all while maintaining pressures up to 150 psi. The vessel incorporates a tangential inlet to “sling” out moisture, internal structures for drainage, and an outlet coalescing filter to capture any residual liquid. With how complex the design of the structure was and its continual contact with moisture, it was paramount to utilize a coating protection system that could endure exposure to water and salt-based desiccant.

When considering a method of protection for the steel, painted and sprayed coatings were quickly eliminated because of the inability to uniformly coat the internal and external elements. Hot-dip galvanizing was able to not only provide complete coverage of the intricate internal elements and weld seams but also ensure lasting protection for nearly 50-100 years down the road with minimal maintenance.

In the galvanizing process, a metallurgical bond between zinc and steel creates a barrier that resists corrosion and abrasion. This type of chemical bond is critical for equipment used in marine and industrial settings. In addition to this strong barrier, a duplex coating system was used on the structure as well. When paint and galvanized steel are used together, the corrosion protection is superior to either protection system used alone and can last from 1.5 to 2.5 times the combined lifetimes of both systems according to the American Galvanizers Association.

A major consideration and challenge for the project members was moisture control. As compressed air cools, water condenses and must be removed quickly to prevent contamination that could lead to costly rework or system failure. Early communication between Axxiom, ADI and the galvanizer ensured that vent and drain hole placement would prevent zinc buildup.

Engineered for endurance, the Axxiom Pressure Vessel represents the thoughtful design, development and protection of a structure that will perform well into the future due to the decision to galvanize its internal and external parts while serving its industrial and marine applications for generations to come – by Axxiom, manufacturer of Schmidt® products.