Compressor device

Abstract

Compressor device with a compressor element, an outlet with an outlet line and a dryer, which is provided with a drying section and a regeneration section, wherein the drying section is provided with a first inlet and a first outlet, wherein the first inlet is connected to the outlet line, wherein the regeneration section is provided with a second inlet and a second outlet, wherein a regeneration line is provided between the second inlet and a first point of the outlet line, wherein a return line is connected at the second outlet, which connects the second outlet to a second point of the outlet line downstream of the first point, characterized in that in the return line a primary part of a heat exchanger is incorporated, wherein a secondary part of the heat exchanger is incorporated in an oil line of the compressor element.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a compressor device.

[0002] More specifically, the present invention relates to a compressor device having at least one compressor element having an associated oil passage having a dryer for drying compressed gas connected to an outlet line of the compressor element.

[0003] This oil circuit can be used solely for lubricating, for example, the supports of compressor components and cooling compressor components, but it can also be used to spray oil into the compressor components for lubrication and sealing.

[0004] This dryer is of the type that uses a desiccant or dehumidifying agent and is provided with a drying section and a regeneration section. The drying section has a first inlet for the compressed gas to be dried and a first outlet for the dried compressed gas, wherein the first inlet is connected to an outlet line for supplying the compressed gas to be dried. The regeneration section has a second inlet and a second outlet for regeneration gas. A regeneration line is provided between the second inlet and a first point on the outlet line, the first point being used to divert a portion of the compressed gas to be dried, wherein the second outlet is connected to a return line, the return line connecting the second outlet to a second point on the outlet line downstream of the first point.

[0005] The regeneration pipeline will divert a portion of the compressed gas to be dried and deliver it as regeneration gas to the regeneration section, where the desiccant will be regenerated.

[0006] After regeneration, the regenerated gas must be cooled before it is returned to the compressed gas to be dried via the return line.

[0007] Therefore, a cooler is installed in the return pipeline to cool the regenerated gas. Background Technology

[0008] Such compressor devices are known, wherein the cooler is either air-cooled, i.e., an air-to-air cooler, or water-cooled, i.e., a water-to-air cooler.

[0009] The disadvantage of air-to-air coolers used to cool regenerated air is that they require many pipes to deliver the regenerated air to the cooling section of the compressor unit.

[0010] After all, for many air-cooled compressor units, all or many of the compressor unit’s coolers (i.e., intercoolers, aftercoolers, oil coolers, etc.) are grouped together in a location within the unit, called a cooler arrangement, where they are cooled by means of one or more fans using ambient air.

[0011] Additional piping ensures the installation becomes more extensive.

[0012] Furthermore, not only must additional coolers be installed in the cooler arrangement, but also, in some cases, if the coolers are arranged in groups in the cooler arrangement, the cooler for the regenerated gas is placed before the intermediate cooler and the aftercooler, so that the latter has already received partially heated ambient air, and therefore its size must be set to be larger in order to achieve the same cooling.

[0013] The disadvantage of water-air coolers used for cooling regenerated air is that they rely on a water supply provided by the user of the compressor unit.

[0014] Therefore, the user must be able to provide a sufficient quantity of water at a sufficiently low temperature. If the user cannot guarantee this possibility, the normal operation of the compressor unit cannot be guaranteed. Summary of the Invention

[0015] The purpose of this invention is to provide a solution that overcomes the aforementioned and other disadvantages.

[0016] The object of the present invention is to provide a compressor device comprising at least one compressor element having an associated oil passage, wherein the compressor element has an outlet having an outlet line connected thereto, wherein the compressor device further comprises a dryer for drying compressed gas originating from the compressor element, wherein the dryer is of the type using a desiccant or dehumidifier, wherein the dryer comprises a drying section and a regeneration section, wherein the drying section comprises a first inlet for compressed gas to be dried and a first outlet for dried compressed gas, wherein the first inlet is connected to the outlet line. A regeneration line is provided for supplying compressed gas to be dried, wherein the regeneration section is provided with a second inlet and a second outlet for regenerating gas, wherein the regeneration line is provided between the second inlet and a first point of the outlet line, the first point being used to divert a portion of the compressed gas to be dried, wherein a return line is connected at the second outlet, the return line connecting the second outlet to a second point located downstream of the first point on the outlet line, characterized in that a primary portion of a heat exchanger is incorporated in the return line for cooling the regenerated gas, wherein a secondary portion of the heat exchanger is incorporated into the oil passage of the compressor element.

[0017] Instead of using air or water to cool the regenerated gas, the heat exchanger will use another medium present in the compressor unit, namely oil from the oil line.

[0018] In other words, the heat exchanger in the return pipeline forms a cooler for the regenerated gas, which is an oil-cooled cooler or an oil-air cooler, rather than an air-cooled or water-cooled cooler.

[0019] The advantage is that this compressor unit will be more compact compared to air-cooled compressor units that must be supplied with additional air-to-air coolers along with the necessary piping.

[0020] This is not the case for the heat exchanger, which can be integrated into the oil circuit of the compressor equipment.

[0021] Furthermore, in the case of air-cooled compressor equipment where the coolers are grouped in a cooler arrangement, the coolers no longer need to be set to a larger size.

[0022] Another advantage is that it no longer depends on the supply of cooling medium provided by the user, as is the case for water-cooled coolers used for regenerated gas.

[0023] Another advantage is that the dryer with a water-cooled heat exchanger in the return line has the same construction as the dryer with an oil-cooled heat exchanger.

[0024] It is known that the regenerated air can be set to 200°C, which would expose the oil in the heat exchanger to that temperature.

[0025] This high temperature can have an adverse effect on the lifespan of the oil.

[0026] However, because the oil circulates continuously in the oil circuit during operation, the oil will never reach that temperature.

[0027] In addition, the flow rate can be set so that other components in the oil circuit are supplied with oil at the correct temperature.

[0028] When the machine stops, the oil stops circulating, but the gas in the heat exchanger will still be at a high temperature.

[0029] However, this is not a problem because the flash point and auto-ignition temperature are higher than the gas temperature in the heat exchanger.

[0030] When using oil to cool regeneration gas via a heat exchanger (which in turn is cooled, for example, by means of ambient air), it is impossible to cool it as low or deep as when using an air cooler to cool the regeneration gas via ambient air. After all, oil can never be cooled to ambient temperature.

[0031] However, it appears that this fact will only have a limited impact on the operation of the dryer. The effect on the dew point of the dryer is on the order of 2°C.

[0032] They might also wonder if using an oil-based heat exchanger carries the risk of introducing oil into the compressed gas, which is something that must always be avoided with oil-free compressors.

[0033] However, this risk will not exist. In fact, the risk of oil entering the compressed gas is less than the risk of water entering the compressed gas if water is used to cool the regenerated gas.

[0034] Finally, during operation, the maximum pressure of the oil in the oil circuit is always lower than the minimum operating pressure of the compressor unit.

[0035] When the compressor stops, the oil pump in the control oil circuit also stops, causing the pressure in the oil circuit to drop. Therefore, no oil can enter the compressed gas.

[0036] This is the opposite of the case where the regenerated gas is cooled by water. Since the water is supplied by the user, the water pressure will not automatically stop when the compressor stops. In other words, the water pressure then exceeds the pressure of the compressed gas, potentially causing leakage.

[0037] In a practical embodiment, the oil circuit includes an oil reservoir and an oil pump for circulating oil from the reservoir. The oil circuit also includes an oil line extending from the oil reservoir to the cooling jacket of the compressor element (if present), then to the secondary portion of the heat exchanger, and then back to the oil reservoir.

[0038] Alternatively, the oil line can extend from the oil reservoir to the secondary section of the heat exchanger, then to the compressor components for their lubrication, and then back to the oil reservoir.

[0039] Furthermore, the oil line from the oil reservoir can extend to the cooling jacket of the compressor components before extending to the secondary section of the heat exchanger.

[0040] Therefore, the heat exchanger is integrated into each of the embodiments at an appropriate location in the oil passage. Furthermore, this integration in the oil passage does not result in an increase in the size of the compressor unit.

[0041] Preferably, the cooler is integrated into the oil passage for cooling the oil, wherein the cooler is integrated into the oil passage upstream of the secondary portion of the heat exchanger in the oil passage.

[0042] In this way, after the compressor components are optionally cooled first, the oil will be cooled and have an optimal temperature for cooling the regenerated gas.

[0043] In an alternative embodiment, the compressor device is provided with two compressor elements connected in series, wherein an intercooler is combined between the two compressor elements for cooling the compressed gas.

[0044] The dryer itself can be implemented in different ways.

[0045] The first method involves a dryer with a housing containing a drying section and a regeneration section. A drum containing desiccant is arranged within the housing and connected to a drive unit, allowing the desiccant to move continuously through the drying section and the regeneration section.

[0046] The second approach involves a dryer comprising multiple containers filled with a desiccant, wherein at least one of the containers forms a drying section and at least one container forms a regeneration section. The dryer also includes a valve system connecting an outlet line, a regeneration line, and an optional return line to the containers. The valve system ensures that at least one container is always regenerated while the other containers dry the compressed gas. The containers are regenerated sequentially by controlling the valve system. Attached Figure Description

[0047] To better illustrate the features of the invention, some preferred embodiments of the compressor device according to the invention are described below by way of example and not limitation with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0048] Figure 1 A compressor device according to the present invention is illustrated schematically. Detailed Implementation

[0049] Figure 1 The compressor equipment 1 mainly includes two compressor components 2 and a dryer 3 for drying the compressed gas from the compressor.

[0050] According to the present invention, the compressor device 1 includes at least one compressor element 2, and... Figure 1 In this case, it includes two compressor components 2.

[0051] Figure 1 The diagram shows that, in this configuration, compressor elements 2 are connected in series, with an intercooler 4 integrated between the two compressor elements 2 for cooling the compressed gas, and a condensate separator or liquid separator 5 is also provided.

[0052] A common driver 6 is provided for the two compressor components 2. Of course, the invention is not limited thereto.

[0053] An inlet filter 7 is provided upstream of compressor element 2, and an outlet pipeline 8 is provided downstream of compressor element 2 at the outlet 9 of the second or last compressor element 2.

[0054] The two compressor components 2 have associated oil passages 10.

[0055] The oil circuit 10 includes an oil reservoir 11 and an oil pump 12 for circulating oil from the oil reservoir 11.

[0056] The oil pump 12 is driven by the driver 6.

[0057] The oil circuit 10 is also equipped with an oil line 13 through which oil circulates in the compressor unit. The oil line 13 extends through the entire compressor unit 1.

[0058] Oil passage 10 can be used to cool compressor element 2, and if oil injection is involved in compressor element 2, it can be additionally used to spray oil into compressor element 2 if needed, and additionally used to spray oil for lubricating the supports of compressor element 2 if needed.

[0059] The dryer 3 of the compressor device 1 is of the type that uses a desiccant or dehumidifying agent.

[0060] The dryer 3 is provided with a drying section 14 and a regeneration section 15.

[0061] The compressed gas to be dried from compressor element 2 passes through drying section 14 to dry the gas, wherein a desiccant extracts moisture from the compressed gas to be dried.

[0062] The regeneration section 15 contains a saturated desiccant, which is regenerated by passing regeneration gas through it to extract moisture.

[0063] The drying section 14 is provided with a first inlet 16a for compressed gas to be dried and a first outlet 16b for compressed gas to be dried, wherein the first inlet 16a is connected to the outlet pipeline 8 for supplying compressed gas to be dried.

[0064] The regeneration section 15 is provided with a second inlet 17a and a second outlet 17b for regeneration gas, wherein a regeneration pipeline 18 is disposed between the second inlet 17a and a first point 19 of the outlet pipeline 8, the first point being used to divert a portion of the compressed gas to be dried. This diverted compressed gas to be dried is used as regeneration gas and reaches the regeneration section 15 through the regeneration pipeline 18. Although in Figure 1 This is not the case in the example, but an electric heater can be incorporated into the regeneration line 18 to heat the regeneration gas.

[0065] The return line 20 for regenerated gas is connected to the second outlet 17b, which connects the second outlet 17b to a second point 21 on the outlet line 8, downstream of the first point 19.

[0066] In order to return the regenerated gas to the compressed gas to be dried, the Venturi injector 22 is connected to the outlet line 8 at the second point 21.

[0067] A blower can also be used instead of the Venturi injector 22.

[0068] The actual implementation of the dryer 3 itself can be accomplished in different ways.

[0069] exist Figure 1 In the example, the dryer is provided with a housing 23, in which a drying section 14 and a regeneration section 15 are located. A roller 24 containing desiccant is arranged in the housing 23 and is connected to a drive unit (not shown) so that the desiccant can move continuously through the drying section 14 and the regeneration section 15.

[0070] However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment of dryer 3.

[0071] Another type of dryer 3 that can be used includes multiple containers filled with desiccant, wherein at least one container forms a drying section 14 and at least one container forms a regeneration section 15. The dryer 3 also includes a valve system that connects an outlet line 8, a regeneration line 18 and an optional return line 20 to the containers. The valve system ensures that at least one container is always regenerated while the other containers dry the compressed gas. The containers are regenerated sequentially by controlling the valve system.

[0072] In the example shown, the aftercooler 25 is integrated into the outlet line 8 between the first point 19 and the second point 21 for cooling the compressed gas, and in this case, a liquid separator 26 is also included, but is not required.

[0073] According to the invention, the primary portion 27 of the heat exchanger 28 is incorporated into the return line 20 for cooling the regeneration gas.

[0074] The secondary portion 29 of the heat exchanger 28 is integrated into the oil passage 10 of the compressor element 2.

[0075] This means that the oil from the oil passage 10 of the compressor element 2 is used in the heat exchanger 28 to cool the regenerated gas before it is added back to the compressed gas to be dried.

[0076] In the example shown, the oil passage 10 is constructed as follows.

[0077] Oil circuit 10 includes oil pipeline 13.

[0078] The oil line 13 extends from the oil reservoir 11 to the cooling jacket of the compressor component 2.

[0079] Subsequently, the oil line 13 extends to the secondary section 29 of the heat exchanger 28, then to the compressor components 2 for their lubrication, and then returns to the oil reservoir 11.

[0080] Therefore, oil line 13 can spray oil at certain components (e.g., at supports) to lubricate those components, but oil line 13 can optionally additionally or alternatively spray oil into the compressor element 2 itself.

[0081] Finally, in this case, the oil passage 10 includes an oil cooler 30 for cooling the oil, wherein the oil cooler 30 is connected to the oil line 13 upstream of the secondary portion 29 of the heat exchanger 28 in the oil passage 10.

[0082] In order to control the cooling of the oil, a bypass line 31 is provided on the oil cooler 30, and a control valve 32 is provided therein to control the amount of oil passing through the oil cooler 30.

[0083] For completeness, it is mentioned herein that the oil cooler 30, intercooler 4 and aftercooler 25 may be air-cooled or water-cooled.

[0084] In this case, the oil passage 10 also includes an auxiliary oil line 13a, which is connected to the oil line 13 downstream of the secondary portion 29 of the heat exchanger 28, and extends to the oil reservoir 11.

[0085] Although in the example shown, oil line 13 and oil passage 10 include both the lubrication and cooling sheaths of compressor element 2, it is also possible that neither of them is present.

[0086] The operation of compressor device 1 is very simple, as described below.

[0087] The gas to be compressed is compressed in a known manner by means of compressor element 2, and after passing through aftercooler 25, it is sent to dryer 3, where it is dried in drying section 14.

[0088] During this process, the desiccant will become saturated with moisture and will be regenerated.

[0089] Therefore, a portion of the compressed gas to be dried is diverted as regeneration gas at the first point 19 via regeneration line 18. Note that this diverted gas has not yet passed through aftercooler 25.

[0090] The regenerated gas passes through regeneration section 15, where it extracts moisture from the saturated desiccant.

[0091] After passing through regeneration section 15, the regenerated gas is cooled by heat exchanger 28 before being added back to the compressed gas to be dried, and after passing through drying section 14, the regenerated gas leaves the compressor unit 1 via first outlet 16b.

[0092] During operation, oil pump 12 will circulate oil in compressor unit 1, whereby the oil will first be used to cool compressor components 2.

[0093] The oil is then cooled in oil cooler 30, and the cooled oil is then used to cool regeneration gas in heat exchanger 28.

[0094] Then, the oil can be used to lubricate the components of compressor element 2, and may be sprayed into compressor element 2 itself.

[0095] Then, the oil is returned to the reservoir 11 via the oil line 13.

[0096] The present invention is by no means limited to the embodiments described by way of example and shown in the accompanying drawings, but rather the compressor device according to the invention can be implemented in various shapes and sizes without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A compressor device (1) comprising at least one compressor element (2) having an associated oil passage (10), wherein, The compressor element (2) is provided with an outlet (9) having an outlet line (8) connected thereto. The compressor unit (1) is also provided with a dryer (3) for drying compressed gas originating from the compressor element (2). The dryer (3) is of the type using a desiccant. The dryer (3) is provided with a drying section (14) and a regeneration section (15). The drying section (14) is provided with a first inlet (16a) for compressed gas to be dried and a first outlet (16b) for dried compressed gas. The first inlet (16a) is connected to the outlet line (8) for supplying compressed gas to be dried. The regeneration section (15) is provided with a second inlet for regenerated gas. (17a) and a second outlet (17b), wherein a regeneration line (18) is disposed between the second inlet (17a) and a first point (19) of the outlet line (8), the first point being used to divert a portion of the compressed gas to be dried, wherein a return line (20) is connected at the second outlet (17b), the return line connecting the second outlet (17b) to a second point (21) located downstream of the first point (19) on the outlet line (8), characterized in that a primary portion (27) of a heat exchanger (28) is incorporated in the return line (20) for cooling the regeneration gas, wherein a secondary portion (29) of the heat exchanger (28) is incorporated into the oil passage (10) of the compressor element.

2. The compressor equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The oil passage (10) is provided with an oil reservoir (11) and an oil pump (12) for circulating oil from the oil reservoir (11). The oil passage (10) is also provided with an oil line (13) extending from the oil reservoir (11) to the cooling jacket of the compressor element (2), then to the secondary part (29) of the heat exchanger (28), and then back to the oil reservoir (11).

3. The compressor equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The oil passage (10) is provided with an oil reservoir (11) and an oil pump (12) for circulating oil from the oil reservoir (11). The oil passage (10) is also provided with an oil line (13) extending from the oil reservoir (11) to the secondary portion (29) of the heat exchanger (28), then to the compressor element (2) for lubrication of the compressor element, and then back to the oil reservoir (11).

4. The compressor equipment according to claim 3, characterized in that, The oil line (13) extends from the oil reservoir (11) to the cooling jacket of the compressor element (2) before extending to the secondary section (29) of the heat exchanger (28).

5. The compressor device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that, An oil cooler (30) is incorporated into the oil passage (10) for cooling oil, wherein the oil cooler (30) is incorporated into the oil line (13) upstream of the secondary portion (29) of the heat exchanger (28) of the oil passage (10).

6. The compressor equipment according to claim 5, characterized in that, A bypass line (31) is installed on the oil cooler (30).

7. The compressor equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, An electric heater is incorporated into the regeneration line (18).

8. The compressor equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The aftercooler (25) is connected to the outlet line (8) between the first point (19) and the second point (21).

9. The compressor equipment according to claim 8, characterized in that, The liquid separator (26) is connected to the outlet line (8) between the first point (19) and the second point (21).

10. The compressor equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The dryer (3) is provided with a housing (23), in which the drying section (14) and the regeneration section (15) are located. A drum (24) containing the desiccant is arranged in the housing (23). The drum (24) is connected to a drive device so that the desiccant can move sequentially through the drying section (14) and the regeneration section (15).

11. The compressor equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The dryer (3) includes a plurality of containers filled with the desiccant, wherein at least one of the plurality of containers forms the drying section (14) and at least one container forms the regeneration section (15), wherein the dryer (3) further includes a valve system connecting the outlet line (8) and the regeneration line (18) to the containers, wherein the valve system causes at least one container to always be regenerated while the other containers dry the compressed gas, wherein the containers are regenerated sequentially by controlling the valve system.

12. The compressor equipment according to claim 11, characterized in that, The valve system also connects the return line (20) to the container.

13. The compressor equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The Venturi injector (22) is incorporated into the outlet line (8) at the second point (21).

14. The compressor equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The blower is connected to the outlet line (8) at the second point (21).

15. The compressor equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The compressor device (1) is provided with two compressor elements (2) connected in series, wherein an intercooler (4) is combined between the two compressor elements (2) for cooling the compressed gas.

Images