Intelligent switching drying pipe system for plateau environment and control method thereof

Abstract

The invention discloses a plateau environment intelligent switching drying pipe system and a control method thereof. The first to fourth three-way valves are communicated with the first and second drying units through pipelines, air respectively flows through the first and second drying units to be dried, and the first and second drying units are respectively regenerated by an oil-water separator and an air compressor; the humidity sensors monitor the humidity of the inlet and the outlet in real time, the computer controls the first three-way valve to the fourth three-way valve to automatically switch working modes according to the humidity, one drying unit works while the other drying unit regenerates, continuous operation can be conducted under the unattended condition, and continuous moisture absorption and regeneration circulation is achieved. The device is suitable for Qinghai-Tibet Plateau weather stations, glacier scientific investigation equipment and unmanned aerial vehicle-mounted atmospheric sampling platforms, and the technical problem that a traditional drying pipe is difficult to regenerate and frequently replaced under the complex atmospheric condition is solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to plateau environment monitoring equipment technology, and in particular to a plateau environment intelligent switching drying pipe system and a control method thereof. Background Art

[0002] Humidity significantly affects the chemical composition, size distribution, and optical properties of aerosol particles, which in turn influences their scattering cross section, visibility, and radiative forcing effects. At a relative humidity of 90%, the scattering cross section of ammonium sulfate particles can be more than five times higher than that of dry particles. As humidity increases, aqueous phase reactions promote the formation of organic matter and sulfate, especially under high humidity conditions, where sulfate is produced through aqueous phase reactions of sulfur dioxide. To ensure accurate aerosol analysis, samples need to be dried before entering the instrument. Drying samples has four main benefits: eliminating water vapor dependence, increasing sensitivity, optimizing molecular ion analysis capabilities, and improving instrument performance, ensuring the reliability and stability of experimental results.

[0003] However, desiccant tube regeneration is difficult in high-altitude meteorological observation stations, atmospheric environment monitoring drones, and polar expeditions, and frequent replacement increases expedition costs. Therefore, it is crucial to develop a system and control method for intelligently switching color-changing silica gel desiccant tubes for high-altitude environments. This system uses a humidity sensor to determine desiccant saturation and automatically switches operating units, enabling unattended, continuous desiccant absorption and regeneration cycles. This addresses the technical challenges of traditional desiccant tube regeneration and frequent replacement in complex atmospheric conditions. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In response to the problems existing in the above-mentioned prior art, the present invention proposes an intelligent switching drying tube system for plateau environments and a control method thereof. The system uses a humidity sensor to determine the desiccant saturation and automatically switches the working unit, thereby realizing a continuous moisture absorption and regeneration cycle without human supervision.

[0005] One purpose of the present invention is to provide an intelligent switching drying pipe system for plateau environments.

[0006] The plateau environment intelligent switching drying pipe system of the present invention includes: an inlet pipe, first and second humidity sensors, first to fourth three-way valves, first and second drying units, an outlet pipe, an oil-water separator, an air compressor, and a computer; wherein the inlet pipe is connected to the first port of the first three-way valve, and the first humidity sensor is provided on the inlet pipe; the second port of the first three-way valve is connected to the first end of the first drying unit via a pipe, the second end of the first drying unit is connected to the second port of the second three-way valve via a pipe, and the first port of the second three-way valve is connected to the outlet pipe; the third port of the first three-way valve is connected to the first end of the second drying unit via a pipe, and the second end of the second drying unit is connected to the third port of the second three-way valve via a pipe;

[0007] The air compressor is connected to the oil-water separator through a pipeline; the oil-water separator is connected to the first port of the third three-way valve through a pipeline, the second port of the third three-way valve is connected to the second end of the first drying unit, and the third port of the third three-way valve is connected to the second end of the second drying unit; the first port of the fourth three-way valve is connected to the atmosphere, the second port of the fourth three-way valve is connected to the first end of the first drying pipe through a pipeline, and the third port of the fourth three-way valve is connected to the first end of the second drying pipe through a pipeline;

[0008] The first to fourth three-way valves are respectively connected to the relay, and the first and second humidity sensors and the relay are respectively connected to the computer;

[0009] The computer controls the first to fourth three-way valves according to the humidity obtained by the first and second humidity sensors, and automatically switches between two working modes: the first drying unit dries while the second drying unit regenerates, and the second drying unit dries while the first drying unit regenerates.

[0010] The first and second drying units include first and second drying tubes, respectively, with desiccant placed inside. The desiccant is a color-changing silica gel desiccant, which automatically changes color according to changes in ambient humidity, thereby intuitively indicating its moisture absorption status, making it a very intuitive and convenient humidity monitoring tool. When the humidity increases, the color-changing silica gel desiccant absorbs moisture and reflects the degree of moisture absorption through color changes. Usually, the color-changing silica gel desiccant presents a set color when it is not saturated, but when it is saturated with moisture, the color will change significantly, prompting the user that the color-changing silica gel desiccant has reached its drying limit and needs to be replaced or regenerated. The color-changing silica gel desiccant not only helps users understand the usage of the desiccant in real time, but also optimizes the system's maintenance cycle to avoid a decrease in drying effect due to desiccant saturation. In addition, the use of color-changing silica gel desiccant also improves the system's degree of automation, reduces the need for manual intervention, and improves overall work efficiency and stability.

[0011] The computer used is an industrial computer.

[0012] The first to fourth three-way valves are L-type or T-type three-way electric valves.

[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide a control method for an intelligent switching drying pipe system in a plateau environment.

[0014] The control method of the plateau environment intelligent switching drying pipe system of the present invention comprises the following steps:

[0015] 1) The first drying unit dries while the second drying unit regenerates:

[0016] a) The computer controls the first to fourth three-way valves so that the first drying unit is connected to the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe, and the second drying unit is connected to the air compressor and the atmosphere:

[0017] The first port and the second port of the first three-way valve are opened, and the third port of the first three-way valve is closed;

[0018] The first port and the second port of the second three-way valve are open, and the third port of the second three-way valve is closed;

[0019] The first port and the third port of the third three-way valve are opened, and the second port of the third three-way valve is closed;

[0020] The first port and the third port of the fourth three-way valve are opened, and the second port of the fourth three-way valve is closed;

[0021] b) Drying in the first drying unit:

[0022] The ambient air flows into the first drying unit through the first three-way valve. After being dried by the first drying unit, the dried air is transmitted to the subsequent air detection equipment through the second three-way valve.

[0023] c) Regeneration of the second drying unit:

[0024] Ambient air is transmitted to the air compressor through a pipeline and compressed by the air compressor. The compressed air passes through the oil-water separator to further remove moisture, and then enters the second drying unit. The dry compressed air flows through the second drying unit, removing the moisture accumulated in the second drying unit. The moisture and water are discharged to the outside of the system through the fourth three-way valve, thus achieving the regeneration of the second drying unit.

[0025] 2) The first and second humidity sensors monitor the air humidity at the inlet and outlet in real time and transmit the information to the computer in real time; the saturation level of the first drying unit is determined based on the air humidity at the inlet and outlet; when the first drying unit is saturated, the computer automatically switches the operating mode from drying the first drying unit while the second drying unit is regenerating to drying the second drying unit while the first drying unit is regenerating;

[0026] 3) The second drying unit dries while the first drying unit regenerates so that the second drying unit is connected to the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe and the first drying unit is connected to the air compressor and the atmosphere:

[0027] a) Computer controls the first to fourth three-way valves:

[0028] The first port and the third port of the first three-way valve are opened, and the second port of the first three-way valve is closed;

[0029] The first port and the third port of the second three-way valve are opened, and the second port of the second three-way valve is closed;

[0030] The first port and the second port of the third three-way valve are open, and the third port of the third three-way valve is closed;

[0031] The first port and the second port of the fourth three-way valve are opened, and the third port of the fourth three-way valve is closed;

[0032] b) Drying in the second drying unit:

[0033] The ambient air flows into the second drying unit through the second three-way valve. After being dried by the second drying unit, the dried air is transmitted to the subsequent air detection equipment through the second three-way valve.

[0034] c) Regeneration of the first drying unit:

[0035] Ambient air is transmitted to the air compressor through a pipeline and compressed by the air compressor. The compressed air passes through the oil-water separator to further remove moisture, and then enters the first drying unit. The dry compressed air flows through the first drying unit, removing the moisture accumulated in the first drying unit. The moisture and water are discharged to the outside of the system through the fourth three-way valve, thus achieving the regeneration of the first drying unit.

[0036] 4) When the second drying unit is saturated, the computer automatically switches the working mode to drying the first drying unit while regenerating the second drying unit, and repeats the above steps; through the humidity sensor and three-way valve, the intelligent switching drying pipe system is guaranteed to continue operating in the plateau environment without supervision.

[0037] In steps 1) and 3) (c), the compressed air typically has a temperature between 5 and 35°C and a relative humidity between 15 and 35%. After the compressed air is further dried by the oil-water separator, it can efficiently remove moisture from the desiccant. During this process, the moisture and water are discharged to the outside of the system, thereby regenerating the desiccant. This regeneration process not only extends the service life of the desiccant, but also ensures that the system continues to provide efficient drying effects, avoiding a decrease in drying effect due to desiccant saturation.

[0038] In step 2), when it is detected that the difference in air humidity between the inlet and outlet exceeds a difference threshold and the air humidity at the outlet is higher than a first humidity threshold, or when the air humidity at the outlet is higher than a second humidity threshold, it indicates that the first drying unit is close to saturation; the difference threshold is 10-15%, the first humidity threshold is 25-35%; and the second humidity threshold is 40-60%.

[0039] In step 4), when it is detected that the difference between the air humidity at the inlet and outlet exceeds the difference threshold and the air humidity at the outlet is higher than the first humidity threshold, or when the air humidity at the outlet is higher than the second humidity threshold, it indicates that the second drying unit is close to saturation.

[0040] Advantages of the present invention:

[0041] The present invention uses a humidity sensor to monitor humidity in real time, and a computer automatically switches the working mode according to the humidity. One drying unit is working while the other is regenerating. It can continue to operate unattended, realizing a continuous moisture absorption and regeneration cycle. The present invention is suitable for Qinghai-Tibet Plateau meteorological stations, glacier scientific research equipment and drone-mounted atmospheric sampling platforms, and solves the technical problems of traditional drying tubes that are difficult to regenerate and frequently replaced under complex atmospheric conditions. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an embodiment of the plateau environment intelligent switching drying pipe system of the present invention, in which the first drying unit is drying while the second drying unit is regenerating;

[0043] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the plateau environment intelligent switching drying pipe system of the present invention, in which the second drying unit is drying while the first drying unit is regenerating. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] The present invention will be further described below through specific embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0045] like Figure 1 and 2 As shown, the plateau environment intelligent switching drying pipe system of this embodiment includes: an inlet pipe, first and second humidity sensors, first to fourth three-way valves, first and second drying units, an outlet pipe, an oil-water separator, an air compressor, and a computer; wherein the inlet pipe is connected to the first port of the first three-way valve, and the first humidity sensor is provided on the inlet pipe; the second port of the first three-way valve is connected to the first end of the first drying unit through a pipe, the second end of the first drying unit is connected to the second port of the second three-way valve through a pipe, and the first port of the second three-way valve is connected to the outlet pipe; the third port of the first three-way valve is connected to the first end of the second drying unit through a pipe, and the second end of the second drying unit is connected to the third port of the second three-way valve through a pipe;

[0046] The air compressor is connected to the oil-water separator through a pipeline; the oil-water separator is connected to the first port of the third three-way valve through a pipeline, the second port of the third three-way valve is connected to the second end of the first drying unit, and the third port of the third three-way valve is connected to the second end of the second drying unit; the first port of the fourth three-way valve is connected to the atmosphere, the second port of the fourth three-way valve is connected to the first end of the first drying pipe through a pipeline, and the third port of the fourth three-way valve is connected to the first end of the second drying pipe through a pipeline;

[0047] The first to fourth three-way valves are respectively connected to the relay, and the first and second humidity sensors and the relay are respectively connected to the computer;

[0048] The computer controls the first to fourth three-way valves according to the humidity difference obtained by the first and second humidity sensors, and automatically switches between two working modes: the first drying unit dries while the second drying unit regenerates, and the second drying unit dries while the first drying unit regenerates.

[0049] The first and second drying units include first and second drying tubes, respectively, with desiccant placed inside. The desiccant is a color-changing silica gel desiccant, which automatically changes color according to changes in ambient humidity, thereby intuitively indicating its moisture absorption status, making it a very intuitive and convenient humidity monitoring tool. When the humidity increases, the color-changing silica gel desiccant absorbs moisture and reflects the degree of moisture absorption through color changes. Usually, the color-changing silica gel desiccant presents a set color when it is not saturated, but when it is saturated with moisture, the color will change significantly, prompting the user that the color-changing silica gel desiccant has reached its drying limit and needs to be replaced or regenerated. The color-changing silica gel desiccant not only helps users understand the usage of the desiccant in real time, but also optimizes the system's maintenance cycle to avoid a decrease in drying effect due to desiccant saturation. In addition, the use of color-changing silica gel desiccant also improves the system's degree of automation, reduces the need for manual intervention, and improves overall work efficiency and stability.

[0050] In this embodiment, an industrial computer is used as the computer; the first to fourth three-way valves are L-shaped three-way electric valves; the humidity sensor is an ultra-low power RS485 temperature and humidity sensor, which is waterproof, dustproof, adaptable to high humidity environments, and has a wide voltage input of 3.3V to 28V; and an LH-04 four-way relay is used to realize the switch control of the electrical equipment.

[0051] The control method of the plateau environment intelligent switching drying pipe system of this embodiment includes the following steps:

[0052] 1) The first drying unit dries while the second drying unit regenerates, e.g. Figure 1 As shown:

[0053] a) The computer controls the first to fourth three-way valves so that the first drying unit is connected to the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe, and the second drying unit is connected to the air compressor and the atmosphere:

[0054] The first port and the second port of the first three-way valve are opened, and the third port of the first three-way valve is closed;

[0055] The first port and the second port of the second three-way valve are open, and the third port of the second three-way valve is closed;

[0056] The first port and the third port of the third three-way valve are opened, and the second port of the third three-way valve is closed;

[0057] The first port and the third port of the fourth three-way valve are opened, and the second port of the fourth three-way valve is closed;

[0058] b) Drying in the first drying unit:

[0059] The ambient air flows into the first drying unit through the first three-way valve. After being dried by the first drying unit, the dried air is transmitted to the subsequent air detection equipment through the second three-way valve.

[0060] c) Regeneration of the second drying unit:

[0061] Ambient air is transmitted to the air compressor through a pipeline and compressed by the air compressor. The temperature is between 5 and 35 degrees Celsius and the relative humidity is between 15 and 35%. The compressed air passes through the oil-water separator to further remove moisture from it, and then enters the second drying unit. The dry compressed air flows through the second drying unit and removes the moisture accumulated in the second drying unit.

[0062] The moisture and water are discharged to the outside of the system through the fourth three-way valve, thereby achieving the regeneration of the second drying unit;

[0063] 2) The first and second humidity sensors monitor the air humidity at the inlet and outlet in real time and convert the air humidity at the inlet and outlet into

[0064] The humidity is transmitted to the computer in real time; and the saturation level of the first drying unit is determined based on the difference in air humidity between the inlet and outlet. When the first and second humidity sensors detect that the difference in air humidity between the inlet and outlet is less than 20%, and the air humidity at the outlet is higher than the humidity threshold of 30%, or when the second humidity sensor detects that the air humidity is greater than 50%, indicating that the first drying unit is close to saturation, the computer automatically switches the working mode from drying the first drying unit while the second drying unit is regenerating to drying the second drying unit while the first drying unit is regenerating.

[0065] 3) The second drying unit dries while the first drying unit regenerates, e.g. Figure 2 As shown:

[0066] a) The computer controls the first to fourth three-way valves so that the second drying unit is connected to the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe, and the first drying unit is connected to the air compressor and the atmosphere:

[0067] The first port and the third port of the first three-way valve are opened, and the second port of the first three-way valve is closed;

[0068] The first port and the third port of the second three-way valve are opened, and the second port of the second three-way valve is closed;

[0069] The first port and the second port of the third three-way valve are open, and the third port of the third three-way valve is closed;

[0070] The first port and the second port of the fourth three-way valve are opened, and the third port of the fourth three-way valve is closed;

[0071] b) Drying in the second drying unit:

[0072] The ambient air flows into the second drying unit through the second three-way valve. After being dried by the second drying unit, the dried air is transmitted to the subsequent air detection equipment through the second three-way valve.

[0073] c) Regeneration of the first drying unit:

[0074] Ambient air is transmitted to the air compressor through a pipeline and compressed by the air compressor. The compressed air passes through the oil-water separator to further remove moisture, and then enters the first drying unit. The dry compressed air flows through the first drying unit, removing the moisture accumulated in the first drying unit. The moisture and water are discharged to the outside of the system through the fourth three-way valve, thus achieving the regeneration of the first drying unit.

[0075] 4) When the first and second humidity sensors detect that the difference in air humidity between the inlet and outlet is less than 20%, and the air humidity at the outlet is higher than the humidity threshold of 30%, or when the second humidity sensor detects that the air humidity is greater than 50%, it indicates that the second drying unit is close to saturation. The computer automatically switches the working mode to drying the first drying unit while regenerating the second drying unit, and repeats the above steps. Through the humidity sensor and the three-way valve, the intelligent switching drying pipe system is guaranteed to operate continuously in the plateau environment without supervision.

[0076] Finally, it should be noted that the purpose of disclosing the embodiments is to facilitate a further understanding of the present invention. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various substitutions and modifications are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and the appended claims. Therefore, the present invention should not be limited to the contents disclosed in the embodiments; the scope of protection claimed by the present invention shall be determined by the scope defined in the claims.

Claims

1. An intelligent switching drying pipe system for plateau environment, characterized in that: The plateau environment intelligent switching drying pipe system includes: an inlet pipe, first and second humidity sensors, first to fourth three-way valves, first and second drying units, an outlet pipe, an oil-water separator, an air compressor, and a computer; wherein the inlet pipe is connected to the first port of the first three-way valve, and the first humidity sensor is provided on the inlet pipe; the second port of the first three-way valve is connected to the first end of the first drying unit through a pipe, the second end of the first drying unit is connected to the second port of the second three-way valve through a pipe, and the first port of the second three-way valve is connected to the outlet pipe; the third port of the first three-way valve is connected to the first end of the second drying unit through a pipe, and the second end of the second drying unit is connected to the third port of the second three-way valve through a pipe; The air compressor is connected to the oil-water separator through a pipeline; the oil-water separator is connected to the first port of the third three-way valve through a pipeline, the second port of the third three-way valve is connected to the second end of the first drying unit, and the third port of the third three-way valve is connected to the second end of the second drying unit; the first port of the fourth three-way valve is connected to the atmosphere, the second port of the fourth three-way valve is connected to the first end of the first drying pipe through a pipeline, and the third port of the fourth three-way valve is connected to the first end of the second drying pipe through a pipeline; The first to fourth three-way valves are respectively connected to the relay, and the first and second humidity sensors and the relay are respectively connected to the computer; The computer controls the first to fourth three-way valves according to the humidity obtained by the first and second humidity sensors, and automatically switches between two working modes: the first drying unit dries while the second drying unit regenerates, and the second drying unit dries while the first drying unit regenerates.

2. The plateau environment intelligent switching drying pipe system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first and second drying units respectively include first and second drying tubes, and desiccant is placed in the first and second drying tubes.

3. The plateau environment intelligent switching drying pipe system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The desiccant is a color-changing silica gel desiccant, which can change according to the change of environmental humidity.

4. The plateau environment intelligent switching drying pipe system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first to fourth three-way valves are L-type or T-type three-way electric valves.

5. A control method for the plateau environment intelligent switching drying pipe system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The control method comprises the following steps: 1) The first drying unit dries while the second drying unit regenerates: a) computer controls the first to fourth three-way valves so that the first drying unit is connected to the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe and the second drying unit is connected to the air compressor and the atmosphere; b) Drying in the first drying unit: The ambient air flows into the first drying unit through the first three-way valve. After being dried by the first drying unit, the dried air is transmitted to the subsequent air detection equipment through the second three-way valve. c) Regeneration of the second drying unit: Ambient air is transmitted to the air compressor through a pipeline and compressed by the air compressor. The compressed air passes through the oil-water separator to further remove moisture, and then enters the second drying unit. The dry compressed air flows through the second drying unit, removing the moisture accumulated in the second drying unit. The moisture and water are discharged to the outside of the system through the fourth three-way valve, thus achieving the regeneration of the second drying unit. 2) The first and second humidity sensors monitor the air humidity at the inlet and outlet in real time and transmit the information to the computer in real time; the saturation level of the first drying unit is determined based on the air humidity at the inlet and outlet; when the first drying unit is saturated, the computer automatically switches the operating mode from drying the first drying unit while the second drying unit is regenerating to drying the second drying unit while the first drying unit is regenerating; 3) The second drying unit dries while the first drying unit regenerates: a) computer controls the first to fourth three-way valves so that the second drying unit is connected to the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe and the first drying unit is connected to the air compressor and the atmosphere; b) Drying in the second drying unit: The ambient air flows into the second drying unit through the second three-way valve. After being dried by the second drying unit, the dried air is transmitted to the subsequent air detection equipment through the second three-way valve. c) Regeneration of the first drying unit: Ambient air is transmitted to the air compressor through a pipeline and compressed by the air compressor. The compressed air passes through the oil-water separator to further remove moisture, and then enters the first drying unit. The dry compressed air flows through the first drying unit, removing the moisture accumulated in the first drying unit. The moisture and water are discharged to the outside of the system through the fourth three-way valve, thus achieving the regeneration of the first drying unit. 4) When the second drying unit is saturated, the computer automatically switches the working mode to drying the first drying unit while regenerating the second drying unit, and repeats the above steps; through the humidity sensor and three-way valve, the intelligent switching drying pipe system is guaranteed to continue operating in the plateau environment without supervision.

6. The control method according to claim 5, wherein: In step 1) and step c) of step 3), the temperature of the compressed air is between 5 and 35° C., and the relative humidity is between 15 and 35%.

7. The control method according to claim 5, wherein: In step 2), when it is detected that the difference between the air humidity at the inlet and outlet exceeds the difference threshold and the air humidity at the outlet is higher than the first humidity threshold, or the air humidity at the outlet is higher than the second humidity threshold, it indicates that the first drying unit is in a saturated state.

8. The control method according to claim 7, wherein: In step 2), the difference threshold is 10-15%, and the first humidity threshold is 25-35%.

9. The control method according to claim 7, wherein: In step 2), the second humidity threshold is 40-60%.

10. The control method according to claim 5, wherein: In step 4), when it is detected that the difference between the air humidity at the inlet and outlet exceeds the difference threshold and the air humidity at the outlet is higher than the first humidity threshold, or the air humidity at the outlet is higher than the second humidity threshold, it indicates that the second drying unit is in a saturated state.

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