What is the purpose of water separators in an aircraft?

The primary function of water separators in an aircraft is to remove moisture from the air, significantly reducing the amount of water vapor that can enter various systems. By removing up to 90% of water vapor, the separators help maintain the performance and reliability of pneumatic systems, such as those used for cabin pressurization and environmental control. Excessive moisture can cause freezing in certain operating conditions and lead to operational inefficiencies or failures. Therefore, the high efficiency of these devices in extracting water vapor makes their role crucial in ensuring the safety and performance of the aircraft systems.