Gas purification device, positioning element and method of assembling a gas purification device

Abstract

The present application relates to a gas purification device, a positioning element and a method of assembling a gas purification device. A gas purification device, the gas purification device (1) essentially comprises at least one container (2) having an inlet (3) for the gas to be purified and an outlet (4) for the purified gas, blocks (5) of two or more purification agents being arranged in the container (2), which blocks are stacked on top of each other, characterized in that a positioning element (8) is arranged between two successive blocks (5), the positioning element being provided with at least one pin (9) on both sides of the positioning element (8), the pin being arranged in an opening (10) provided for this purpose in the block (5), the positioning element (8) lying completely within the outer circumference (11) of the block (5).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a gas purification device.

[0002] In particular, the present invention relates to a gas purification device, which includes at least one container having an inlet for a gas to be purified and an outlet for a purified gas. Background Technology

[0003] In this context, "purified gas" refers to the process of extracting other gases, liquids, or other substances from the gas to be purified, thereby purifying the gas.

[0004] The container contains a purifying agent.

[0005] Purifying agents can take different forms, such as granules or structured materials in the form of one or more blocks. The blocks are typically stacked one on top of the other.

[0006] Purifying agents can be, for example, desiccants, also known as dehumidifiers, which dry the gas to be purified and separate water vapor from it. This is typically done in the case of compressed gas, for example, from a compressor, where the compressed gas must be free of moisture before being discharged to the user.

[0007] Of course, the use of other types of purifying agents instead of desiccants is not excluded. For example, this could be a purifying agent that can purify gases from a gas mixture, typically in the case of a gas generator.

[0008] The shape of the blocks of purifying agents or desiccants is usually complementary to the shape of the containers in which they are stacked.

[0009] The block has cavities, channels, etc., so that the gas to be purified can flow through it.

[0010] In WO2017 / 035607, seals are used to anchor individual blocks that are stacked one on top of the other. The seals are positioned around the blocks where they are stacked one on top of the other and have inwardly projecting lips that extend between the blocks.

[0011] The seal anchors two successive blocks that are stacked one on top of the other, while the protruding lip keeps the two blocks at a certain distance from each other.

[0012] Because the geometry and location of the cavities, channels, etc., are different in each block, the blocks must be kept at a certain distance from each other so that one block cannot block the channel of another block.

[0013] One drawback of this design is that the protruding lip seals off a significant portion of the surface of each block through which the gas must flow, making it impossible to utilize the entire volume of the block.

[0014] In addition, the seals caused roughness or irregularities on the outer surfaces of each stacked block.

[0015] This has the following disadvantages: due to the roughness, the covers (such as membranes, tapes or shrink sleeves) arranged around the periphery of the stack of blocks cannot make very good contact with the individual stacked blocks.

[0016] US2016 / 0236135A1 describes the use of tape as a cover.

[0017] If the cover is not properly attached to the perimeter wall, leakage may occur. Such leakage is undesirable, as it allows unpurified or incompletely purified gas to escape, thus contaminating the purified gas leaving the gas purification device. Summary of the Invention

[0018] The present invention aims to solve at least one of the above-mentioned disadvantages and other disadvantages.

[0019] The present invention relates to a gas purification device comprising at least one container having an inlet for a gas to be purified and an outlet for a purified gas, wherein two or more blocks of purifying agent are arranged in the container and stacked one on top of the other, characterized in that a positioning element is arranged between two successive blocks, the positioning element having at least one pin on each side thereof, the pin being arranged in an opening provided in the block for this purpose, the positioning element being located entirely within the outer periphery of the block.

[0020] One advantage is that the positioning element with pins allows the individual blocks stacked one on top of the other to be anchored to each other.

[0021] Because the pins extend into the blocks, the blocks are anchored relative to each other, that is, they are held in a horizontal position by the pins.

[0022] The positioning element between two successive blocks serves as a spacer, so that the blocks are kept at a certain distance from each other in the vertical direction.

[0023] Because the positioning element is located inside the outer periphery of the block, the peripheral walls of each stacked block are completely flat, allowing the shrink sleeve arranged around each stacked block to make complete and good contact with the peripheral walls, thereby preventing leakage.

[0024] Furthermore, since the size of the stack does not increase radially due to the protrusions of the positioning elements, the gas purification device can be manufactured as compactly as possible.

[0025] The pins described above can be designed in various ways. They can be hollow or solid. They can be open at both ends and can take various forms: cylindrical, cubic, pyramidal, etc.

[0026] In the most preferred embodiment, the positioning element includes a frame-shaped spacer with two or more pins on its two sides.

[0027] In this context, "frame-shaped" means that the spacer is a narrow strip that follows the shape of the block's cross-section. If the block has a circular cross-section, the ring can be circular, but it can also be rectangular or square.

[0028] It is known that the block typically has a circular cross-section. In this case, such a circular or annular spacer can support the block around its outer periphery while simultaneously pinning or retaining the block.

[0029] By making the dimensions of the frame spacer or, in the case of the annular spacer, the diameter match the dimensions or diameter of the block, it can be ensured that the outer dimensions or outer diameter of the frame or annular spacer match the outer dimensions or outer diameter of the block, thus supporting the blocks along their outer diameters.

[0030] As a result, a very stable stack can be obtained.

[0031] In addition, the frame spacer can be designed to be very thin in the radial direction, so that only a very limited block surface is covered by the frame spacer.

[0032] In addition, these frame-shaped spacers prevent the individual blocks from tilting relative to each other.

[0033] By setting at least two pins on each side, the individual blocks cannot rotate relative to each other along an axis parallel to the stacked block axis.

[0034] In a practical embodiment, the frame spacer has an open frame shape.

[0035] This means that the frame is interrupted over a preferably limited distance.

[0036] The advantage of this is that less of the block's surface is obscured, without compromising the stability of the stacked blocks.

[0037] However, according to the present invention, the positioning element does not necessarily have to have a frame-shaped spacer.

[0038] After all, the positioning element can include two or more spacers of any shape, with one or more pins on both sides.

[0039] By properly positioning the spacers, a stable stack can be formed.

[0040] Furthermore, in this way, the surface area covered by the spacer can be kept very limited.

[0041] The fewer channels and cavities blocked by spacers, the more volume of blocks can be used to purify the gas.

[0042] In a practical embodiment, the outermost blocks of the various purifier blocks stacked one on top of the other, namely the topmost and bottommost blocks, are provided with positioning elements on their free sides. The positioning elements are provided with at least one pin on one side, and the pin is arranged in an opening in the block provided for this purpose.

[0043] Therefore, this positioning element is the same as the positioning element described above, but it only has a pin on one side.

[0044] The present invention also relates to a positioning element for placement between two blocks of purifying agent stacked one on top of the other, the positioning element having at least one pin on each side of the positioning element, the pin being able to be placed in an opening in the block provided for this purpose, the positioning element being located entirely within the outer periphery of the block.

[0045] The present invention also relates to a method for assembling a gas purification device, the method using positioning elements, the method comprising the following steps:

[0046] Step A: Provide a gas purification device, which has at least one container having an inlet for the gas to be purified and an outlet for the purified gas;

[0047] Step B: Provide two or more blocks of purifying agent;

[0048] Step C: Provide one or more positioning elements, each positioning element having at least one pin on both sides;

[0049] Step D: Arrange a block of purifying agent in the at least one container;

[0050] Step E: Arrange the positioning element on the block of purifying agent, ensuring that at least one pin of the positioning element is arranged in the opening of the block of purifying agent provided for this purpose, and ensuring that the positioning element is completely located within the outer periphery of the block.

[0051] Step F: Arrange the block of another purifier in the at least one container by stacking the block of another purifier on top of the block of purifier already placed in the container, ensuring that the at least one pin of the positioning element, which is still exposed, is arranged in the opening of the block of the other purifier for this purpose.

[0052] Step G: Repeat steps E and F until all the blocks of purifying agent are arranged in the at least one container. Attached Figure Description

[0053] To better illustrate the features of the present invention, several preferred embodiments of the gas purification device, positioning element, and method of assembling the gas purification device using the positioning element according to the present invention are described below by non-limiting examples with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0054] Figure 1 A gas purification device according to the present invention is illustrated schematically;

[0055] Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 The actual embodiment of the part represented by F2 in the middle;

[0056] Figure 3A and Figure 3B It shows Figure 1 and Figure 2 Actual embodiment of the positioning element in the text;

[0057] Figures 4 to 10 An alternative embodiment of Figure 3 is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0058] Figure 1 The gas purification device 1 shown schematically generally includes a container 2, which has an inlet 3 for the gas to be purified and an outlet 4 for the purified gas.

[0059] Although only one container 2 is shown in the figure, it is possible that the gas purification device 1 includes multiple containers 2.

[0060] Place multiple purifier blocks 5 (five in this example) in container 2, stacking them one on top of the other.

[0061] In this example, block 5 has a cylindrical design. Blocks can also have beam-shaped or cubic designs.

[0062] like Figure 1 As shown, but not necessarily for the present invention, the container inlet 3 is connected to the compressor outlet 6.

[0063] In this example, but not essential to the present invention, the aforementioned purifying agent is a desiccant, also known as a dehumidifier.

[0064] Gas purification device 1 dries the compressed gas of compressor 7.

[0065] However, the present invention can also be used, for example, to purify other polluting gases from a gas at atmospheric pressure or below or in a vacuum.

[0066] Positioning element 8 is arranged between two successive blocks 5.

[0067] The purpose of the positioning element 8 is to position or anchor the individual blocks 5 relative to each other so that they cannot move. Furthermore, the positioning element acts as a spacer to maintain a distance A between the individual blocks 5 and each other.

[0068] The exact or precise embodiments of the positioning element 8 may differ, but they all have in common that they are provided with at least one pin 9 on both sides of the positioning element 8, which is arranged in an opening 10 in the block 5 provided for this purpose, and the positioning element 8 is located entirely within the outer periphery or peripheral wall 11 of the block 5.

[0069] This is Figure 2 As shown in the image.

[0070] The opening 10 in block 5 can be formed by a channel, cavity, etc. of block 5, or it can be specifically set in block 5. The aforementioned channel, cavity, etc., in... Figure 2 It is shown in the middle by a dashed line.

[0071] The shape of pin 9 can vary. As already mentioned, pin 9 can be designed in a variety of ways. Pin 9 can be hollow or solid. Pin 9 can be open at both ends and can take various forms: cylindrical, cubic, pyramidal, etc.

[0072] like Figure 1 As shown, the positioning element 8a is also disposed on the two outermost blocks 5, on the side of the outermost block 5 that is away from the other blocks 5.

[0073] This positioning element 8a has at least one pin 9 on only one side, which is arranged in the opening 10 of the corresponding block 5 provided for this purpose. The positioning element 8a is located entirely within the outer periphery or peripheral wall 11 of the block 5.

[0074] Positioning element 8a ensures that the stacked blocks 5 are positioned in the container 2 so that the outermost block 5 does not contact the wall of the container 2.

[0075] The positioning element 8 may be made of a material, such as a metal (e.g., aluminum), or a polymer, or a combination of these materials.

[0076] exist Figure 3A and Figure 3B Including Figure 1 and Figure 2 Positioning element 8.

[0077] The positioning element 8 includes an annular spacer 12, which in this example has two pins 9 on both sides.

[0078] Although an annular spacer 12 is mentioned in this example, the invention is certainly not limited thereto. If block 5 is, for example, cubic in shape, then spacer 12 will have a square shape.

[0079] The diameter D of the annular spacer 12 corresponds to the diameter of block 5, and the outer diameter of the spacer is consistent with the outer diameter of block 5, as shown in... Figure 2 As clearly seen in the text.

[0080] If block 5 is cubic, then the size of the frame spacer will correspond to the size of block 5, and the external dimensions of the frame spacer will be consistent with the external dimensions of the block.

[0081] The annular spacer 12 has a relatively thin design in its radial direction, such that only a limited surface of block 5 is covered by the annular spacer 12.

[0082] When the blocks 5 are stacked, the annular spacer 12 is arranged on each block 5.

[0083] In this example, pin 9 is arranged in opening 10 provided for this purpose.

[0084] Then, the next block 5 is arranged such that its opening 10 is located on the exposed pin 9 of the annular spacer 12.

[0085] Due to pin 9, block 5 automatically aligns correctly with block 5 below it.

[0086] The annular spacer 12 also ensures that the next block 5 will be a distance A from the block 5 below it, so that the blocks 5 will not contact each other and thus can seal their cavities, channels, etc. In addition, the mutual distance between the blocks 5 is also necessary to allow for the redistribution of gas as it flows from one block 5 to another.

[0087] It is not excluded that shrink sleeves or other covers such as tape or membranes may be arranged on at least a portion of the peripheral wall 11 of the purifying agent blocks 5 stacked one on top of the other.

[0088] The shrink sleeve is preferably made of a low-permeability elastic material (e.g., polyolefin).

[0089] Because the positioning element 8 is located entirely within the outer periphery or peripheral wall 11 of block 5, the shrink sleeve will be able to fit snugly anywhere on block 5 during application.

[0090] The operation of gas purification device 1 is very simple, as described below.

[0091] The gas compressed by compressor 7 reaches container 2 through inlet 3.

[0092] Compressed gas flows through block 5 of the desiccant, and as a result, the moisture present in the gas is absorbed by the desiccant.

[0093] The dried gas leaves container 2 through outlet 4.

[0094] To assemble this gas purification device 1 using the positioning element 8, the following method is employed.

[0095] The method begins with a gas purification device 1 having at least one container 2, multiple purifying agents in a block 5, and multiple positioning elements 8.

[0096] First, place a block 5 in container 2, and then place a positioning element 8 on the block.

[0097] In this example, it is important to ensure that pin 9 is positioned within the opening of block 5, which is provided for this purpose.

[0098] In this example, the positioning element will be entirely within the outer perimeter 11 of block 5.

[0099] Then, the next block can be placed in container 2 by stacking the next block 5 on top of the block 5 that already exists in container 2.

[0100] In this example, care should be taken to ensure that the still exposed pin 9 of the positioning element 8 is arranged in the opening of the next block 5 provided for this purpose.

[0101] The next positioning element 8 and block 5 are similarly arranged in container 2, until all blocks 5 are arranged in container 2.

[0102] Figures 4 to 10 Several variations are shown in the figure.

[0103] exist Figure 4 The diagram shows a variation in which the annular spacer 12 has an open annular shape. In this way, less of the surface of block 5 is covered by the annular spacer 12.

[0104] In the case of frame-shaped spacers, the spacers can similarly have an open frame shape, which is interrupted at a certain distance.

[0105] exist Figure 5 In the middle, the positioning element 8 includes three spacers 13, each having a pin 9 on both sides of the spacers. Figure 6 In the variant, each spacer 13 has two pins 9 on both sides.

[0106] In both cases, the spacers 13 of the positioning element 8 are evenly distributed along the peripheral wall 11 of the block 5.

[0107] Figure 7 Another variation is shown by way of illustration, in which the shape of spacer 13 is changed to a T-shape to show that there is a great deal of freedom in choosing the shape.

[0108] exist Figure 8 and Figure 9 In the middle, the positioning element 8 includes four spacers 13, which are evenly distributed along the peripheral wall 11 of the block 5.

[0109] Here, the spacer 13 is sized to match the pin 9, and each spacer 13 has a pin 9 on both sides.

[0110] In addition, Figure 9 In the middle, spacer 13 is placed centered between the two blocks 5, which means that spacer 13 is placed in the center of block 5.

[0111] This ensures that the center of block 5 is supported and prevents block 5 from sagging and deforming when its outer perimeter 11 rests on the four other spacers 13.

[0112] at last, Figure 10 The positioning element 8 is shown, which includes a cross-shaped spacer 13, in this example having four arms 14, each with a centrally positioned pin 9 on each side.

[0113] You can also set three or more than four arms 14.

[0114] In this example, the arms 14 mentioned above have equal lengths.

[0115] Figures 3A to 10 The example shown illustrates that the positioning element 8 or the spacers 12, 13 of the positioning element 8 can be designed in different ways.

[0116] However, all of these satisfy the following conditions: they have at least one pin 9 on both sides of the positioning element 8, which is arranged in the opening 10 of the block 5 provided for this purpose, and the positioning element 8 is completely located within the outer periphery 11 of the block 5.

[0117] Obviously, all the above-described variations of positioning element 8 can also be applied to positioning element 8a with slight modifications.

[0118] The present invention is by no means limited to the embodiments described by way of example and shown in the accompanying drawings, but the gas purification device, positioning element and method for assembling the gas purification device using the positioning element according to the invention can be implemented in all variations without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A gas purification device, the gas purification device (1) comprising at least one container (2) having an inlet (3) for a gas to be purified and an outlet (4) for a purified gas, wherein two or more blocks (5) of purifying agent are arranged in the container (2) and are stacked one on top of the other, characterized in that, The positioning element (8) is arranged between two successive blocks (5), and the positioning element has at least one pin (9) on both sides of the positioning element (8), the pin being arranged in an opening (10) in the block (5) for this purpose, the positioning element (8) being completely located within the outer periphery (11) of the block (5); the positioning element (8) includes a spacer having three or more arms (14), each arm having a centrally positioned pin (9) on each side.

2. The gas purification device according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each arm (14) has an equal length.

3. The gas purification device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The outermost block (5) of the various purifier blocks stacked one on top of the other has a positioning element on its free side, and the positioning element has at least one pin (9) on one side, which is arranged in the opening (10) of the block (5) for this purpose.

4. The gas purification device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The positioning element (8) is made of a single material or a combination of materials.

5. The gas purification device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The material of the positioning element (8) is metal or polymer.

6. The gas purification device according to claim 1, characterized in that, A cover is arranged on the outer periphery (11) of at least a portion of the blocks (5) of purifying agents stacked on top of each other.

7. The gas purification device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The purifying agent is a desiccant.

8. The gas purification device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The container inlet (3) is connected to the compressor outlet (6).

9. A positioning element for placement between two blocks (5) of purifying agent stacked one on top of the other, the positioning element (8) having at least one pin (9) on each side of the positioning element (8), the pin being able to be placed in an opening of the block (5) provided for this purpose, the positioning element (8) being located entirely within the outer periphery (11) of the block (5), the positioning element (8) including a spacer having three or more arms (14), each arm having a centrally positioned pin (9) on each side.

10. A method for assembling a gas purification device, the method using positioning elements, the method comprising the steps of: Step A: Provide a gas purification device having at least one container (2) having an inlet (3) for the gas to be purified and an outlet (4) for the purified gas. Step B: Provide two or more blocks of purifier (5); Step C: Provide one or more positioning elements (8), each positioning element (8) having at least one pin (9) on both sides of the positioning element (8), the positioning element (8) including a spacer having three or more arms (14), each arm having a centrally positioned pin (9) on each side. Step D: Arrange a block (5) of purifying agent in the at least one container (2); Step E: Arrange the positioning element (8) on the block (5) of the purifying agent, ensuring that at least one pin (9) of the positioning element (8) is arranged in an opening provided in the block (5) of the purifying agent for this purpose, and ensuring that the positioning element (8) is completely located within the outer periphery (11) of the block (5). Step F: Arrange the other purifier block (5) in the at least one container (2) by stacking another purifier block (5) on top of the purifier block (5) already placed in the container (2), ensuring that the at least one pin (9) of the positioning element (8) is still exposed and arranged in the opening provided in the other purifier block (5) for this purpose. Step G: Repeat steps E and F until all the purifying agent blocks (5) are arranged in the at least one container (2).

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