A gas dryer and method of use

Abstract

The application discloses a kind of gas dryer and use method, including drying shell, heating piece and heat exchanger, drying shell is equipped with air inlet and air outlet, heat exchanger is formed with gas passage inside drying shell, two ends of gas passage are communicated with air inlet and air outlet respectively, gas passage is filled with drying agent, heat exchanger includes multiple heat exchange components distributed in the outer peripheral side of heating piece, heat exchange component is equipped with multiple heat exchange parts spaced apart and arranged in gas passage along the direction away from heating piece, the heat exchange contact area between multiple heat exchange parts and drying agent in gas passage gradually increases along the direction away from heating piece.The application can ensure that each heat exchange part can uniformly heat drying agent, so that drying agent is uniformly heated, the temperature of drying agent regeneration can be accurately and effectively controlled, the moisture in all drying agents is fully analyzed, and the heating power of heating piece is also reduced, which achieves energy-saving effect.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the technical field of gas drying, and particularly to a gas dryer and its usage method. Background Technology

[0002] In many industrial and laboratory applications, gas drying is a crucial process. Excessive moisture content in gases can affect their purity and may also impact the performance and reliability of instruments and equipment, leading to reduced efficiency and lifespan. Many gases require the removal of moisture and other impurities before use to ensure their quality and performance, and this is currently typically achieved using dryers.

[0003] Most gas dryers on the market currently use cylindrical drying cylinders and employ desiccants internally to dry the incoming gas. During use, heating equipment is typically included to regenerate the desiccant. However, these drying cylinders lack integrated heating devices, requiring external heating during gas drying. Heat is conducted through the outer wall of the drying cylinder to the internal desiccant and gas, with higher temperatures closer to the cylinder wall, leading to uneven internal heating and affecting desiccant regeneration efficiency. To ensure effective gas purification, a suitable drying cylinder size must be selected. An excessively large diameter exacerbates uneven internal temperature distribution, resulting in poor heating performance, while an excessively long axial length alters the overall dimensions of the purification system. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a gas dryer and a method of using it, so as to solve one or more technical problems existing in the prior art, and at least provide a beneficial option or create conditions.

[0005] The technical solution adopted to solve the above-mentioned technical problems is as follows:

[0006] Firstly, this invention provides a gas dryer, comprising: a drying shell, a heating element, and a heat exchanger. The drying shell has an air inlet and an air outlet. The heating element is disposed inside the drying shell. The heat exchanger is disposed inside the drying shell, and the heat exchanger and the interior of the drying shell form a gas channel. The two ends of the gas channel are respectively connected to the air inlet and the air outlet. The gas channel is filled with a desiccant. The heat exchanger includes a plurality of heat exchange components distributed on the outer periphery of the heating element. Each heat exchange component has a plurality of heat exchange parts that are spaced apart and connected in the gas channel along a first direction away from the heating element. The heat exchange contact area between the plurality of heat exchange parts and the desiccant in the gas channel gradually increases along the first direction away from the heating element. The first direction is intersected with the gas flow direction in the gas channel.

[0007] The beneficial effects of this invention are:

[0008] This invention dries the gas flowing through a gas channel using a desiccant. When the desiccant's drying efficiency decreases and regeneration requires the adsorbed water to be separated, a heat exchanger is heated by a heating element. The heat exchanger transfers heat to the desiccant in the gas channel through multiple heat exchange sections on multiple heat exchange components, and then dried gas is introduced to carry away the moisture. Since the heat exchange sections near the heating element have a higher temperature, while those farther away have a relatively lower temperature, this invention gradually increases the heat exchange contact surface between the multiple heat exchange sections on each heat exchange component and the desiccant along a first direction away from the heating element. This ensures that the heating effect of the heat exchange sections farther from the heating element on the desiccant is comparable to that of the sections closer to the heating element, thereby ensuring that each heat exchange section can uniformly heat the desiccant. This results in a uniform temperature rise of the desiccant in the gas channel, allowing for accurate and effective control of the desiccant regeneration temperature, ensuring that all moisture in the desiccant is fully separated, and also reducing the heating power of the heating element, thus achieving energy savings.

[0009] As a further improvement to the above technical solution, the distance between two adjacent heat exchange sections gradually decreases along a first direction away from the heating element.

[0010] This solution also limits the spacing between heat exchange parts on each heat exchange component, reducing the spacing between heat exchange parts close to the heating element and increasing the spacing between heat exchange parts far from the heating element. This is equivalent to reducing the arrangement density of heat exchange parts close to the heating element and increasing the arrangement density of heat exchange parts far from the heating element, ensuring that the heating effect of the desiccant close to the heating element and the desiccant far from the heating element is uniform.

[0011] As a further improvement to the above technical solution, the top of the drying shell is provided with a top cover, the air inlet and the air outlet are provided on the top cover, and the gas channel includes an air inlet section and an air outlet section located on the left and right sides respectively between the heat exchanger and the interior of the drying shell, and a flow passage section connecting the air inlet section and the air outlet section. The flow passage section is located inside the bottom of the drying shell, the upper end of the air inlet section is connected to the air inlet, and the upper end of the air outlet section is connected to the air outlet.

[0012] This design places the air inlet and outlet on the top cover on the same side of the drying shell. The gas channel includes an inlet section and an outlet section arranged side by side, as well as a flow passage section connecting the lower ends of the inlet section and the outlet section. This U-shaped channel structure minimizes the axial height of the gas dryer, making it more compact and efficient. Compared with traditional cylindrical dryers, the flow channel length is longer and the drying efficiency is higher at the same axial height.

[0013] As a further improvement to the above technical solution, the heating element is a heating rod, which is vertically disposed between the air inlet section and the air outlet section. The heat exchange assembly includes a heat transfer plate extending radially along the heating rod. A plurality of heat exchange parts are arranged radially and spaced along the side wall of the heat transfer plate. Two of the heat transfer plates arranged in opposite directions separate the interior of the drying shell into the air inlet section and the air outlet section.

[0014] The heating element in this solution is a heating rod, which heats multiple heat transfer plates. The heat transfer plates then transfer the heat to multiple heat exchange sections on them, and the multiple heat exchange sections then heat the desiccant.

[0015] As a further improvement to the above technical solution, the heat exchanger includes a vertically arranged heat exchange tube, the heating rod is sleeved inside the heat exchange tube, and the heat transfer plate is connected to the outer peripheral wall of the heat exchange tube.

[0016] This solution uses heat exchange tubes to fix and protect the heating rods. The heating rods heat the heat exchange tubes, and the heat exchange tubes transfer the heat to the surrounding heat transfer plates, thus making the heat transfer more uniform.

[0017] As a further improvement to the above technical solution, the upper end of the heat exchange tube is connected to the top cover, and the top cover is provided with an installation through hole for docking with the heat exchange tube.

[0018] The installation through-hole makes it easier to install the heating element.

[0019] As a further improvement to the above technical solution, the heat exchange section is a heat exchange plate connected to the side wall of the heat transfer plate, and the size of the multiple heat exchange plates gradually increases in the radial direction away from the heating rod.

[0020] The heat exchange section of this solution uses heat exchange plates, which come into contact with the desiccant and heat it. This increases the heat exchange area and reduces wind resistance.

[0021] As a further improvement to the above technical solution, on each heat transfer plate, the spacing between two adjacent heat exchange plates gradually decreases radially away from the heating rod.

[0022] As a further improvement to the above technical solution, the heat exchange plates are provided on both sides of the heat transfer plate. The heat exchange plates extend to the same length in the vertical direction, and the height of the heat exchange plates extending laterally toward the heat transfer plate gradually increases in the radial direction away from the heating rod.

[0023] The heat transfer plate in this design can transfer heat to the heat exchange fins on both sides. The heat exchange contact area of ​​the heat exchange fins can be controlled by changing the height of the fins extending laterally, which facilitates design and manufacturing.

[0024] Furthermore, the present invention also provides a method of using the gas dryer described above, comprising:

[0025] Drying mode: Moist gas to be treated enters the gas channel through the inlet, and after being treated by the desiccant, dry gas is obtained and discharged from the outlet.

[0026] Regeneration mode: The heating element heats the desiccant through the heat exchange section on the heat exchanger, causing the water in the desiccant to be separated. The dried gas enters the gas channel through the air inlet, carrying the separated water and is discharged from the air outlet.

[0027] The gas dryer of this invention possesses highly efficient moisture removal capabilities, enabling rapid and thorough removal of moisture from gases. Its compact and efficient structural design, compared to commonly available cylindrical dryers, utilizes a box-type structure, effectively reducing the axial length of the equipment and bringing several beneficial effects, such as easier installation, improved drying efficiency, and reduced costs. Furthermore, through the rational design of the heat exchanger, the desiccant can be uniformly heated during dryer regeneration, making this invention widely applicable in various fields and capable of meeting the demand for high-quality, high-efficiency gas drying. Attached Figure Description

[0028] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments;

[0029] Figure 1 This is an exploded view of an embodiment of the gas dryer provided by the present invention;

[0030] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the gas dryer provided by the present invention;

[0031] Figure 3 This is a front cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the gas dryer provided by the present invention, wherein the arrows indicate the gas flow path;

[0032] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the heat exchanger provided by the present invention;

[0033] Figure 5 This is a bottom view of an embodiment of the heat exchanger provided by the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0034] This section will describe in detail specific embodiments of the present invention. Preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown in the accompanying drawings. The purpose of the drawings is to supplement the textual description with graphics, so that people can intuitively and vividly understand each technical feature and overall technical solution of the present invention, but they should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0035] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the orientation descriptions, such as up, down, front, back, left, right, etc., are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limiting this invention.

[0036] In the description of this invention, if there are words such as "several", they mean one or more, "multiple" means two or more, "greater than", "less than", "exceeding" etc. are understood to exclude the number itself, and "above", "below", "within" etc. are understood to include the number itself.

[0037] In the description of this invention, unless otherwise explicitly defined, terms such as "set up," "install," and "connect" should be interpreted broadly, and those skilled in the art can reasonably determine the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention in conjunction with the specific content of the technical solution.

[0038] Reference Figures 1-5 The gas dryer of the present invention is provided in the following embodiments:

[0039] The gas dryer of the present invention includes a drying shell 100, a heating element, and a heat exchanger 200.

[0040] The drying shell 100 is a rectangular box structure. The drying shell 100 is provided with an air inlet 110 and an air outlet 120. In order to reduce energy consumption, the drying shell 100 in this embodiment can be made of heat-insulating material, which can keep the interior warm and prevent heat loss from being too fast.

[0041] The heating element is located inside the drying shell 100. In this embodiment, the heating element is a heating rod 300. In other embodiments, the heating element may be other heating elements, which will not be described in detail here.

[0042] The heat exchanger 200 is also located inside the drying shell 100, and the heat exchanger 200 and the inner cavity of the drying shell 100 form a gas channel 400. The two ends of the gas channel 400 are connected to the air inlet 110 and the air outlet 120, respectively. The gas channel 400 is filled with desiccant. The function of the heat exchanger 200 is to form the aforementioned gas channel 400 and to transfer heat between the heating element and the desiccant.

[0043] Specifically: The heat exchanger 200 of this embodiment includes a plurality of heat exchange components 210, which are distributed on the outer periphery of the heating element. The heat of the heating element is transferred to the outer periphery through the plurality of heat exchange components 210. Each heat exchange component 210 is provided with a plurality of heat exchange parts, which are located in the gas channel 400 and are in contact with the desiccant. The plurality of heat exchange parts are connected at intervals in a direction away from the heating element.

[0044] In a heat exchange assembly 210, the heat exchange contact area between the desiccant in each heat exchange section is different. Specifically, the heat exchange contact area between the desiccant in multiple heat exchange sections gradually increases along the direction away from the heating element. The direction in which the desiccant in multiple heat exchange sections are connected intermittently intersects the flow direction of the gas in the gas channel 400. It can be understood that the multiple heat exchange sections on each heat exchange assembly 210 are individually in contact with the gas in a fixed flow section, which makes it more convenient to control the heating temperature.

[0045] This invention dries the gas flowing through the gas channel 400 using a desiccant. When the desiccant's drying efficiency decreases and regeneration requires the adsorbed water to be separated, a heating element heats the heat exchanger 200. The heat exchanger 200 transfers heat to the desiccant within the gas channel 400 through multiple heat exchange sections on multiple heat exchange components 210, and then dried gas is introduced to carry away the moisture. Since the heat exchange sections near the heating element have a higher temperature, while those farther from the heating element have a relatively lower temperature, this invention gradually increases the heat exchange contact surface between the multiple heat exchange sections on each heat exchange component 210 and the desiccant along a first direction away from the heating element. This ensures that the heating effect of the heat exchange sections farther from the heating element on the desiccant is comparable to that of the heat exchange sections closer to the heating element, thereby ensuring that each heat exchange section can uniformly heat the desiccant. This results in a uniform temperature rise of the desiccant within the gas channel 400, allowing for accurate and effective control of the desiccant regeneration temperature, ensuring that all moisture in the desiccant is fully separated, and simultaneously reducing the heating power of the heating element, thus achieving energy savings.

[0046] Furthermore, the spacing between two adjacent heat exchange sections is set to gradually decrease along the direction away from the heating element. The present invention also limits the spacing between heat exchange sections on each heat exchange assembly 210, reducing the spacing between heat exchange sections near the heating element and increasing the spacing between heat exchange sections away from the heating element. This is equivalent to reducing the arrangement density of heat exchange sections near the heating element and increasing the arrangement density of heat exchange sections away from the heating element, ensuring that the heating effect of the desiccant near the heating element and the desiccant away from the heating element is uniform.

[0047] The structure of the gas channel 400 is further optimized in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the air inlet 110 and the air outlet 120 are both located on the top cover 130 of the top of the drying shell 100. The air inlet 110 and the air outlet 120 are arranged at left and right intervals. The gas channel 400 in this embodiment includes an air inlet section 410, a flow passage section 420 and an air outlet section 430 connected in sequence. The air inlet section 410 and the air outlet section 430 are arranged side by side on the left and right sides between the heat exchanger 200 and the interior of the drying shell 100. The flow passage section 420 is located between the lower ends of the air inlet section 410 and the air outlet section 430. The upper end of the air inlet section 410 is connected to the air inlet 110 and the upper end of the air outlet section 430 is connected to the air outlet 120.

[0048] In this embodiment, the air inlet 110 and the air outlet 120 are located on the top cover 130 on the same side of the drying shell 100. The gas channel 400 includes an air inlet section 410 and an air outlet section 430 arranged side by side, and a flow passage section 420 connecting the lower ends of the air inlet section 410 and the air outlet section 430. In this way, the gas channel 400 has a U-shaped channel structure, which minimizes the axial height of the gas dryer, making the gas dryer more compact and efficient. Compared with the traditional cylindrical dryer, the flow channel length is longer and the drying efficiency is higher at the same axial height.

[0049] Regarding the specific structure between the heat exchanger 200 and the heating rod 300, this embodiment further optimizes the structure of the gas channel 400 described above. In this embodiment, the heating rod 300 is vertically arranged in the center of the drying shell 100. It can be understood that the heating rod 300 is located at the center between the air inlet section 410 and the air outlet section 430.

[0050] The heat exchange assembly 210 includes a heat transfer plate 211 extending radially along the heating rod 300. Multiple heat exchange sections are arranged radially at intervals along the sidewall of the heat transfer plate 211. Two heat transfer plates 211 arranged opposite each other divide the interior of the drying shell 100 into the aforementioned air inlet section 410 and air outlet section 430. In this embodiment, the heating rod 300 heats the multiple heat transfer plates 211, and then the heat transfer plates 211 transfer heat to the multiple heat exchange sections thereon, and the multiple heat exchange sections then heat the desiccant.

[0051] Furthermore, the heat exchanger 200 also includes a heat exchange tube 220 vertically disposed between the inner ends of multiple heat transfer plates 211. The heating rod 300 is sleeved inside the heat exchange tube 220. The upper end of the heat exchange tube 220 is connected to the top cover 130. In this embodiment, the top cover 130 is detachably installed on the top of the drying shell 100. The top cover 130 is provided with a mounting through hole 131 that connects with the heat exchange tube 220. When inspecting the heating rod 300, the heating rod 300 can be disassembled and assembled through the mounting through hole 131.

[0052] The present invention uses heat exchange tube 220 to fix and protect heating rod 300, heating rod 300 to heat heat exchange tube 220, and heat exchange tube 220 to transfer heat to heat transfer plates 211 around it, so that the heat transfer is more uniform.

[0053] In this embodiment, the heat exchange section uses heat exchange plate 212, which is connected to the side wall of heat transfer plate 211. The size of heat exchange plate 212 gradually increases in the radial direction away from heating rod 300. The heat exchange plate 212 is used to contact the desiccant and heat the desiccant, which can increase the heat exchange area and reduce wind resistance.

[0054] In other embodiments, the heat exchange section may employ other structures, such as a trough structure, etc.

[0055] In this embodiment, both the heat exchange plate 212 and the heat transfer plate 211 extend in the vertical direction and are arranged perpendicular to each other. In other embodiments, the heat exchange plate 212 and the heat transfer plate 211 may be connected at a set angle.

[0056] In this embodiment, heat exchange plates 212 are provided on both sides of the heat transfer plate 211, and the lengths of the heat exchange plates 212 extending in the vertical direction are equal. The height of the heat exchange plates 212 extending laterally toward the heat transfer plate 211 gradually increases in the radial direction away from the heating rod 300. In this embodiment, the heat transfer plate 211 can transfer heat to the heat exchange plates 212 on both sides. The heat exchange contact area of ​​the heat exchange plates 212 can be controlled by changing the height of the heat exchange plates 212 extending laterally, which is convenient for design and manufacturing.

[0057] The size of the heat exchange components 210 can be determined according to different positions. In this embodiment, four heat exchange components 210 are provided. The four heat exchange components 210 are respectively arranged on the front, rear, left and right sides of the heat exchange tube 220. The heat exchange components 210 on the front and rear sides are arranged symmetrically, while the heat exchange components 210 on the left and right sides are arranged symmetrically. The size of the heat exchange components 210 on the front and rear sides is smaller than that of the heat exchange components 210 on the left and right sides.

[0058] The interior of the front and rear heat transfer plates 211 and the drying shell 100 is divided into the aforementioned air inlet section 410 and air outlet section 430.

[0059] The present invention also provides a method of using the above-mentioned gas dryer, which has two modes: a drying mode and a regeneration mode.

[0060] When the gas dryer is in drying mode, the heating rod 300 is not working. The humidified gas to be treated enters the gas channel 400 through the inlet 110. The gas passes through the inlet section 410, the flow section 420 and the outlet section 430 in sequence. After being treated by the desiccant, the gas is dried and discharged from the outlet 120.

[0061] When the gas dryer is in regeneration mode, the heating rod 300 operates and heats the heat exchange tube 220. The heat exchange tube 220 transfers heat to the surrounding heat transfer plates 211, which in turn transfer heat to the heat exchange fins 212. The heat exchange fins 212 heat the desiccant, causing the water in the desiccant to be separated. The dried gas enters the gas channel 400 through the inlet 110 and is discharged from the outlet 120 carrying the separated water.

[0062] The gas dryer of this invention possesses highly efficient moisture removal capabilities, enabling rapid and thorough removal of moisture from gases. Its compact and efficient structural design, compared to commonly available cylindrical dryers, utilizes a box-type structure, effectively reducing the axial length of the equipment and bringing several beneficial effects, such as easier installation, improved drying efficiency, and reduced costs. Furthermore, through the rational design of the heat exchanger 200, the desiccant can be uniformly heated during dryer regeneration, giving this invention broad application prospects in various fields and meeting the demand for high-quality, high-efficiency gas drying.

[0063] The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, but the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described. Those skilled in the art can make various equivalent modifications or substitutions without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and these equivalent modifications or substitutions are all included within the scope defined by the claims of this application.

Claims

1. A gas dryer, characterized in that, include: The drying shell is equipped with an air inlet and an air outlet; The heating element is located inside the drying shell; A heat exchanger is disposed inside the drying shell, forming a gas channel with the interior of the drying shell. The two ends of the gas channel are respectively connected to the air inlet and the air outlet. The gas channel is filled with desiccant. The heat exchanger includes a plurality of heat exchange components distributed on the outer periphery of the heating element. Each heat exchange component has a plurality of heat exchange parts that are spaced apart and connected in the gas channel along a first direction away from the heating element. The heat exchange contact area between the plurality of heat exchange parts and the desiccant in the gas channel gradually increases along the first direction away from the heating element. The first direction is intersected with the gas flow direction in the gas channel. The distance between two adjacent heat exchange sections gradually decreases along a first direction away from the heating element; The top of the drying shell is provided with a top cover, the air inlet and the air outlet are provided on the top cover, the gas channel includes an air inlet section and an air outlet section located on the left and right sides respectively between the heat exchanger and the interior of the drying shell, and a flow passage section connecting the air inlet section and the air outlet section. The flow passage section is located inside the bottom of the drying shell, the upper end of the air inlet section is connected to the air inlet, and the upper end of the air outlet section is connected to the air outlet. The heating element is a heating rod, which is vertically disposed between the air inlet section and the air outlet section. The heat exchange assembly includes a heat transfer plate extending radially along the heating rod. A plurality of heat exchange sections are radially spaced on the side wall of the heat transfer plate. Two of the heat transfer plates arranged in opposite directions separate the interior of the drying shell into the air inlet section and the air outlet section. The heat exchange section consists of heat exchange plates connected to the side wall of the heat transfer plate, and the size of the multiple heat exchange plates gradually increases radially away from the heating rod.

2. The gas dryer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heat exchanger includes a vertically arranged heat exchange tube, a heating rod is sleeved inside the heat exchange tube, and a heat transfer plate is connected to the outer peripheral wall of the heat exchange tube.

3. The gas dryer according to claim 2, characterized in that: The upper end of the heat exchange tube is connected to the top cover, and the top cover is provided with an installation through hole for docking with the heat exchange tube.

4. The gas dryer according to claim 1, characterized in that: On each of the heat transfer plates, the spacing between two adjacent heat exchange plates gradually decreases radially away from the heating rod.

5. The gas dryer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heat exchange plates are provided on both sides of the heat transfer plate. The heat exchange plates extend to the same length in the vertical direction, and the height of the heat exchange plates extending laterally toward the heat transfer plate gradually increases in the radial direction away from the heating rod.

6. A method of using a gas dryer as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: include: Drying mode: Moist gas to be treated enters the gas channel through the inlet, and after being treated by the desiccant, dry gas is obtained and discharged from the outlet. Regeneration mode: The heating element heats the desiccant through the heat exchange section on the heat exchanger, causing the water in the desiccant to be separated. The dried gas enters the gas channel through the air inlet, carrying the separated water and is discharged from the air outlet.

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