A gas dehumidification device and production system

Abstract

This invention provides a gas dehumidification device and production system. The gas dehumidification device includes an aerogel permeable membrane unit and a driving unit. The aerogel permeable membrane unit includes a dehumidification chamber and an aerogel permeable membrane disposed in the dehumidification chamber. The aerogel permeable membrane divides the dehumidification chamber into a first dehumidification chamber and a second dehumidification chamber. The first dehumidification chamber includes an inlet for the gas to be dehumidified, and the second dehumidification chamber includes an outlet for the dehumidified gas. The driving unit includes a driving inlet, and the outlet for the dehumidified gas is connected to the driving inlet. This device allows the gas to be dehumidified to pass through the aerogel permeable membrane in the dehumidification unit, and the water vapor migration is completed by the hydrophobic selective structure, avoiding the problem of periodic replacement required by traditional adsorption dehumidification, which is beneficial for achieving continuous dehumidification. In addition, the connection with the driving unit can form a controlled negative pressure environment on both sides of the membrane, which enhances the driving force for water vapor migration, thus improving dehumidification efficiency and controllability. The overall structure is simple and has low energy consumption.

Description

[0001] This invention claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202610247555.9, filed on March 2, 2026, entitled "A Gas Dehumidification Device and Production System", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of gas processing, and more particularly to a gas dehumidification device and production system. Background Technology

[0003] In high-end industrial sectors such as chemical engineering, electronics, new energy, and precision manufacturing, there are extremely stringent requirements for the deep removal of trace amounts of moisture from process environments or protective gases. For example, in the production of lithium-ion batteries, moisture can react with the electrolyte, severely damaging battery performance and safety; in semiconductor manufacturing, trace amounts of water vapor can lead to oxide layer defects, affecting chip yield; and in certain chemical polymerization reactions, moisture is a key factor affecting catalyst activity and product purity. Therefore, efficient and reliable dehumidification technology is a fundamental element in ensuring product quality, production safety, and process stability in these industries.

[0004] Existing gas dehumidification technologies mainly include condensation dehumidification and adsorption dehumidification. However, condensation dehumidification relies on lowering the gas temperature to cause water vapor to condense. Its dehumidification effect is limited by dew point conditions and heat exchange efficiency. When the process requires long-term continuous operation or has a high demand for low-humidity gases, the dehumidification efficiency is prone to fluctuations with operating conditions, making it difficult to achieve stable and efficient dehumidification under continuous gas flow conditions. Adsorption dehumidification uses solid adsorbents to capture water vapor. During operation, the adsorbent inevitably reaches saturation gradually, requiring periodic regeneration or switching of adsorption units, making the dehumidification process intermittent and difficult to achieve continuous and stable gas dehumidification. Furthermore, under continuous high-flow conditions, the pressure drop of the adsorption bed is high, and the dehumidification efficiency decreases with operating time. In addition, both existing condensation and adsorption dehumidification technologies require adsorbent regeneration and replacement or heat exchange and refrigeration processes, resulting in high system energy consumption, which is not conducive to large-scale continuous industrial gas dehumidification.

[0005] Therefore, how to achieve continuous, efficient, and low-energy dehumidification to provide a solid guarantee for continuous industrial production is a technical problem that urgently needs to be solved at this stage. Summary of the Invention

[0006] To address the aforementioned problems, this invention provides a gas dehumidification device. This device allows the gas to be dehumidified to pass through an aerogel permeable membrane within the dehumidification unit, where moisture migration is achieved through a hydrophobic selective structure. This avoids the need for periodic replacement required by traditional adsorption dehumidification methods, facilitating continuous dehumidification. Furthermore, the connection to the driving unit allows for the creation of a controlled negative pressure environment across the membrane, enhancing the driving force for water vapor migration and improving dehumidification efficiency and controllability. The overall structure is simple and energy-efficient.

[0007] This invention also provides a production system that integrates the gas dehumidification device provided by this invention with the gas to be dehumidified unit. This system, without altering the original process gas source, leverages the high-flux and low-pressure-drop characteristics of the aerogel membrane to achieve continuous and efficient gas dehumidification. It is suitable for various industrial gas production and processing scenarios and offers advantages such as high system integration, low operating energy consumption, and strong process adaptability.

[0008] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a gas dehumidification device, comprising: an aerogel breathable membrane unit and a driving unit, wherein the aerogel breathable membrane unit includes a dehumidification chamber and an aerogel breathable membrane disposed in the dehumidification chamber. The aerogel breathable membrane divides the dehumidification chamber into a first dehumidification chamber and a second dehumidification chamber, the first dehumidification chamber including an inlet for gas to be dehumidified, and the second dehumidification chamber including an outlet for dehumidified gas. The driving unit includes a driving inlet, and the outlet for dehumidified gas is connected to the driving inlet.

[0009] In one possible implementation, the device as described above, wherein the aerogel breathable membrane comprises a matrix and an aerogel layer loaded on the matrix; the aerogel breathable membrane has an average pore size of 5-100 nm and a porosity of 80-95%.

[0010] In one possible implementation, the apparatus as described above, wherein, in the direction from the inlet of the gas to be dehumidified to the outlet of the dehumidified gas, the aerogel permeable membrane comprises N aerogel permeable sub-membranes, where N ≥ 2. Each aerogel permeable sub-membrane comprises the substrate and the aerogel layer supported on the substrate. The average pore size of the Nth aerogel permeable sub-membrane is smaller than that of the (N-1)th aerogel permeable sub-membrane, and the porosity of the Nth aerogel permeable sub-membrane is smaller than that of the (N-1)th aerogel permeable sub-membrane. The average pore size of the Nth aerogel permeable sub-membrane is 5-100 nm, and the porosity is 80-95%.

[0011] In one possible implementation, the device as described above, wherein the substrate comprises at least one of a polymer porous membrane, porous ceramic, foamed metal, and fiber felt; and the aerogel layer comprises at least one of silica aerogel, organic aerogel, or composite aerogel.

[0012] In one possible implementation, the device as described above includes a first humidity monitoring unit disposed in the second dehumidification chamber; and / or includes a negative pressure monitoring unit disposed in the second dehumidification chamber.

[0013] In one possible implementation, the device as described above includes a liquid flow monitoring unit disposed in the first dehumidification chamber.

[0014] Secondly, the present invention provides a production system comprising a gas unit to be dehumidified and any of the above-mentioned gas dehumidification devices, wherein the gas outlet of the gas unit to be dehumidified and the gas inlet to be dehumidified are connected.

[0015] In one possible implementation, the production system described above further includes a gas source unit, wherein the gas source outlet of the gas source unit is connected to the gas source inlet of the gas to be dehumidified unit.

[0016] In one possible implementation, the production system described above, wherein the gas outlet and the gas inlet of the dehumidifying gas unit are connected via a second humidity monitoring unit.

[0017] In one possible implementation, the production system described above, wherein the gas source outlet and the gas source inlet are connected via a gas flow monitoring unit.

[0018] The gas dehumidification device provided by this invention achieves efficient, continuous gas dehumidification and low energy consumption by functionally coupling an aerogel permeable membrane unit with a driving unit. The aerogel permeable membrane is disposed within the dehumidification chamber, dividing the chamber into a first dehumidification chamber and a second dehumidification chamber. This ensures that the gas to be dehumidified, after entering through the gas inlet, must pass through the aerogel permeable membrane before flowing to the dehumidified gas outlet. Structurally, this guarantees sufficient contact between the gas and the aerogel permeable membrane, facilitating stable water vapor migration. The aerogel permeable membrane possesses high porosity and a interconnected pore structure, providing a large effective mass transfer interface while maintaining low gas resistance, thereby achieving rapid and continuous moisture removal without significantly increasing pressure drop. By connecting the dehumidified gas outlet to the driving inlet of the driving unit, a stable pressure difference can be formed across the aerogel permeable membrane. This allows the gas to be dehumidified to continuously pass through the aerogel permeable membrane under the combined action of the concentration gradient and pressure drive, avoiding the dehumidification efficiency fluctuations caused by adsorption saturation in traditional adsorption devices. This gas dehumidification device allows the dehumidification process to be carried out simultaneously with the gas delivery process, eliminating the need for complex switching mechanisms or regeneration equipment. This results in improved dehumidification efficiency and stability of continuous operation while maintaining low energy consumption. Attached Figure Description

[0019] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with this application and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of this application.

[0020] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the gas dehumidification device provided in this application;

[0021] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the production system provided in this application;

[0022] Figure 3 The first comparative structural diagram provided for this application;

[0023] Figure 4 This is a second comparative structural diagram provided for this application.

[0024] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 1-Aerogel breathable membrane unit; 2-First dehumidification chamber; 3-Aerogel breathable membrane; 4-Second dehumidification chamber; 5-Drive unit; 6-First humidity monitoring unit; 7-Negative pressure monitoring unit; 8-Liquid flow monitoring unit; 9-Gas to be dehumidified unit; 10-Gas source unit; 11-Second humidity monitoring unit; 12-Gas flow monitoring unit; 13-Adsorption column; 14-Condenser.

[0025] The accompanying drawings illustrate specific embodiments of this application, which will be described in more detail below. These drawings and descriptions are not intended to limit the scope of the concept in any way, but rather to illustrate the concept of this application to those skilled in the art through reference to particular embodiments. Detailed Implementation

[0026] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of this invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the embodiments of this invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this invention, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this invention.

[0027] In industrial fields such as semiconductor manufacturing, chemical production, and gas storage and transportation, the moisture content of process gases has a significant impact on product quality and equipment safety. Gas dehumidification is often a critical, long-term process in continuous production. However, existing condensation dehumidification technologies rely on refrigeration and heat exchange conditions, requiring repeated cooling and subsequent heating to achieve dehumidification. This results in low system energy efficiency and difficulty in maintaining stable and efficient dehumidification under continuous gas flow conditions. Existing adsorption dehumidification technologies require periodic interruptions to regenerate or replace adsorbent materials, leading to poor process continuity and high energy consumption. Based on these problems, the inventors analyzed that introducing a selectively permeable structure with both high permeability and high hydrophobicity into the gas transport path would allow moisture separation during the gas transport process. By connecting with the drive unit, a stable driving force is formed on both sides of the structure, continuously promoting the migration efficiency of the gas to be dehumidified, allowing the dehumidification process to occur synchronously with the gas transport process. This would facilitate continuous, efficient, and low-energy-consumption gas dehumidification.

[0028] To address the above problems, the present invention provides a gas dehumidification device and a production system, as detailed below:

[0029] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a gas dehumidification device, comprising: an aerogel permeable membrane unit and a driving unit. The aerogel permeable membrane unit includes a dehumidification chamber and an aerogel permeable membrane disposed within the dehumidification chamber. The aerogel permeable membrane divides the dehumidification chamber into a first dehumidification chamber and a second dehumidification chamber. The first dehumidification chamber includes an inlet for the gas to be dehumidified, and the second dehumidification chamber includes an outlet for the dehumidified gas. The driving unit includes a driving inlet, and the outlet for the dehumidified gas is connected to the driving inlet.

[0030] In one possible embodiment, as described in the device above, the aerogel breathable membrane unit includes a dehumidification chamber and an aerogel breathable membrane disposed inside the dehumidification chamber. The aerogel breathable membrane is fixedly disposed within the dehumidification chamber and spatially divides the dehumidification chamber into a first dehumidification chamber and a second dehumidification chamber, thereby forming two functional areas that are isolated from each other but connected by the aerogel breathable membrane. The first dehumidification chamber is provided with an inlet for the gas to be dehumidified, for connecting to an upstream gas delivery pipeline or process equipment, so that the gas to be dehumidified can continuously and stably enter the dehumidification chamber. The second dehumidification chamber is provided with a dehumidified gas outlet, for delivering the dehumidified gas to the downstream user unit.

[0031] In this embodiment, after the gas to be dehumidified enters the first dehumidification chamber, it passes through the aerogel permeable membrane into the second dehumidification chamber under the influence of pressure and concentration differences. Water vapor in the gas undergoes selective migration during passage through the aerogel permeable membrane, thus achieving simultaneous gas transport and dehumidification. This structural guarantee ensures continuous dehumidification. Furthermore, the dehumidified gas outlet of the second dehumidification chamber is directly connected to the drive inlet of the drive unit. While the drive unit propels the gas from the first to the second dehumidification chamber, it creates a continuous and controllable pressure difference across the aerogel permeable membrane, providing additional mass transfer driving force for the gas to pass through the membrane. This design, which uses structural connection to superimpose driving force, allows the dehumidification process to continue continuously based on the gas flow itself, rather than relying on periodic operation or intermittent regeneration, thereby improving dehumidification efficiency per unit time. Simultaneously, due to the high permeability of the aerogel permeable membrane, the pressure drop of the gas passing through the membrane structure is small. The drive unit does not need to provide excessively high driving power to maintain stable system operation, thus facilitating low-energy dehumidification.

[0032] In this embodiment, the aerogel layer of the aerogel breathable membrane has a highly interconnected nanoporous network, with an average pore size typically on the order of tens of nanometers, far smaller than the minimum stable droplet size of liquid water under normal pressure conditions. When liquid water passes through the aerogel breathable membrane, it needs to overcome significant capillary pressure and interfacial energy barriers. When the pore size is below the critical scale for spontaneous permeation of liquid water, the liquid water will be effectively blocked on one side of the membrane, thus achieving physical interception. Simultaneously, the surface of the aerogel material can be tuned to exhibit hydrophobic or weakly hydrophilic properties, allowing liquid water to form a larger contact angle at the pore opening, further increasing the breakthrough pressure required to enter the pores. Under the influence of gas flow and pressure difference, water vapor molecules can pass through the nanopores via diffusion or molecular migration, while liquid water, due to its large volume and high surface tension, finds it difficult to form a stable pathway in the continuous pores, thus being effectively isolated. This water-blocking mechanism enables the aerogel breathable membrane to achieve intrinsic separation of gas and liquid water during the dehumidification process, preventing liquid water from being carried into the downstream system along with the gas, and providing a key structural basis for continuous, efficient, and low-energy dehumidification.

[0033] In one possible embodiment, as described in the device above, the inlet of the gas to be dehumidified and the outlet of the dehumidified gas can be connected to the upstream and downstream pipelines via flange connections, quick-connect fittings, or welded pipe joints to ensure the sealing and stability of the gas under continuous operating conditions. The dehumidification chamber can be made of a metal shell or a corrosion-resistant engineering plastic shell. Inside, a sealing frame, a compression structure, or a support grid fixes the aerogel permeable membrane in the center of the chamber, thereby achieving reliable separation between the first and second dehumidification chambers and preventing gas shunting. The first dehumidification chamber can also be equipped with a drain valve to discharge intercepted liquid water to ensure long-term continuous operation. The aerogel permeable membrane can be made into a flat or cylindrical structure and connected to the inner wall of the dehumidification chamber via sealing gaskets or clamping structures, ensuring the independence of the gas channels on both sides of the membrane and facilitating replacement or maintenance after long-term operation. The drive unit can be equipped with a blower, centrifugal fan, axial fan or vacuum pump, etc. Its drive inlet is connected to the dehumidified gas outlet through a pipe, so that the drive unit can form a stable pressure difference on both sides of the aerogel breathable membrane while completing the gas delivery.

[0034] In one possible embodiment, as described above, the aerogel breathable membrane includes a matrix and an aerogel layer loaded on the matrix; the aerogel breathable membrane has an average pore size of 5-100 nm and a porosity of 80-95%.

[0035] In this embodiment, the aerogel permeable membrane consists of a substrate and an aerogel layer supported on the substrate, with the aerogel layer serving as the core functional layer. The average pore size of 5-100 nm falls within the scale range between water vapor molecule diffusion and efficient gas flow. This is significantly smaller than the micron-scale pore size of conventional porous support materials, yet significantly larger than the size of water molecules, facilitating water vapor diffusion and adsorption migration within the pores. Simultaneously, it avoids blocking the bulk gas, ensuring continuous gas passage through the membrane structure without significant stagnation. This pore size range allows the dehumidification process to occur synchronously with the gas transport process, a fundamental condition for achieving continuous dehumidification. Furthermore, the porosity is controlled within the high-porosity range of 80-95%, creating a highly interconnected pore network within the aerogel layer. This significantly reduces the flow resistance of gas passing through the membrane structure while ensuring sufficient mechanical stability. The high porosity results in a larger effective mass transfer interface per unit membrane area, facilitating sufficient contact between water vapor and the aerogel framework as water vapor passes through the membrane structure, thereby increasing the amount of moisture transported per unit time and achieving higher dehumidification efficiency.

[0036] In one possible embodiment, as described in the device above, the aerogel breathable membrane can specifically employ a porous polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) microporous membrane as the substrate, with a silica aerogel layer loaded on its surface and within its pores to form a composite structure. The PTFE substrate itself possesses a continuous, interconnected microporous structure, excellent chemical stability, and resistance to damp heat. Its concentrated pore size distribution and high pore wall strength serve as a mechanical support framework for the aerogel layer. A silicon source precursor is introduced into the micropores of the PTFE substrate using a sol-gel method. After gelation, aging, and atmospheric pressure drying, a silica aerogel network structure is generated in situ on the substrate surface and within the pores. By controlling the sol concentration, gelation time, and drying conditions, the average pore size of the resulting aerogel breathable membrane is stabilized within the range of 5-100 nm, and the porosity can reach 80-95%. The PTFE matrix provides a macroscopic continuous ventilation channel, ensuring low-resistance gas flow on both sides of the membrane; the loaded silica aerogel layer forms a highly developed nanoporous system, significantly increasing the diffusion path and contact area of ​​water molecules in the membrane, thereby enhancing the selective permeability of water vapor.

[0037] In one possible embodiment, as described in the apparatus above, the aerogel permeable membrane comprises N aerogel permeable sub-membranes, where N ≥ 2, in the direction from the inlet of the gas to be dehumidified to the outlet of the dehumidified gas. Each aerogel permeable sub-membrane comprises a matrix and an aerogel layer supported on the matrix. The average pore size of the Nth aerogel permeable sub-membrane is smaller than that of the (N-1)th aerogel permeable sub-membrane, and the porosity of the Nth aerogel permeable sub-membrane is smaller than that of the (N-1)th aerogel permeable sub-membrane. The average pore size of the Nth aerogel permeable sub-membrane is 5-100 nm, and the porosity is 80-95%.

[0038] In this embodiment, the aerogel permeable membrane adopts a gradient structure formed by sequentially stacking multiple aerogel permeable sub-membranes along the flow direction of the gas to be dehumidified. Each aerogel permeable sub-membrane includes a substrate and an aerogel layer loaded on the surface of the substrate. The substrate provides the necessary mechanical strength and overall support, while the aerogel layer serves as the core mass transfer functional layer. While the aerogel permeable sub-membranes maintain a consistent structural form, they exhibit a design characteristic of progressively decreasing key pore structure parameters along the gas flow direction. The Nth downstream aerogel permeable sub-membrane has a smaller average pore size and porosity than the (N-1)th aerogel permeable sub-membrane.

[0039] In this embodiment, through the aforementioned gradient design, the sub-membrane near the inlet of the gas to be dehumidified has a relatively large average pore size and high porosity. This provides a low-resistance ventilation channel and sufficient water vapor diffusion interface when the gas moisture content is high, thus completing the first stage of rapid dehumidification without significantly increasing the pressure drop. As the gas gradually flows towards the outlet of the dehumidified gas, its water vapor partial pressure continuously decreases, increasing the requirement for mass transfer selectivity. At this point, setting a downstream sub-membrane with a smaller pore size and lower porosity effectively extends the diffusion path of water molecules, increases the probability of interaction between water vapor and the aerogel pore walls, and enhances the deep dehumidification effect. Simultaneously, the average pore size of the Nth aerogel permeable sub-membrane is limited to the range of 5-100 nm, with a porosity of 80-95%. On the one hand, the nanoscale pore size helps suppress the penetration of liquid water or condensate, ensuring stable operation of the dehumidification process; on the other hand, the higher porosity avoids the increased pressure drop caused by an excessively dense structure, reducing the energy consumption requirements of the drive unit at the system level.

[0040] In this embodiment, to avoid the retention of liquid water between the multiple layers of aerogel breathable membranes during long-term continuous dehumidification, the multiple layers of aerogel breathable membranes can be completely bonded together, allowing the intercepted water to drain out from the bottommost aerogel breathable membrane. Alternatively, the aerogel breathable membranes can be inclined at certain intervals with a drainage outlet at the lower end. The liquid water intercepted by the aerogel breathable membranes can flow naturally to the drainage outlet under gravity along the inclined direction, thereby preventing liquid water retention.

[0041] In one possible embodiment, as described above, the aerogel permeable membrane unit specifically comprises three aerogel permeable sub-membranes (N=3) connected in series. The first aerogel permeable sub-membrane employs a composite membrane structure with an average pore size of approximately 80-100 nm and a porosity of approximately 90-95%, used to treat compressed air with a high initial moisture content, achieving rapid pre-dehumidification while maintaining low airflow resistance. The second aerogel permeable sub-membrane has an average pore size controlled at 50-80 nm and a porosity of 85-90%, used to further reduce the water vapor content in the air. The third aerogel permeable sub-membrane, i.e., the Nth sub-membrane, has an average pore size of approximately 20-40 nm and a porosity of approximately 80-85%, used to complete deep dehumidification, ensuring that the outlet air humidity meets stringent process requirements. Each sub-membrane uses porous polytetrafluoroethylene as the matrix, with a silica aerogel layer loaded on its surface, and is modularly encapsulated within the dehumidification chamber. Under the pressure difference provided by the drive unit, the gas flows through each sub-membrane in sequence, achieving continuous operation without the need for cooling, heating, or periodic switching.

[0042] In one possible embodiment, as described above, the substrate comprises at least one of a polymer porous membrane, porous ceramic, foamed metal, and fiber felt; the aerogel layer comprises at least one of silica aerogel, organic aerogel, or composite aerogel.

[0043] In this embodiment, the matrix primarily serves as the load-bearing and shaping element in the overall structure. The polymer porous membrane features controllable pore size distribution, good flexibility, and low processing and encapsulation costs, making it suitable for large-area continuous laying. Porous ceramics possess excellent temperature resistance and chemical stability, making them suitable for high-temperature or corrosive gas conditions. Foamed metals, due to their three-dimensional interconnected pore structure and high mechanical strength, maintain structural stability under high flow rates and large pressure differentials. Fiber felts have a high specific surface area and good gas dispersion capabilities, which helps reduce local velocity gradients. By selecting or combining the above matrix materials, a stable, low-resistance support interface can be provided for the aerogel layer while ensuring overall ventilation capacity, thus avoiding the problems of high brittleness and molding difficulties associated with using aerogel materials alone.

[0044] In this embodiment, the aerogel layer, serving as the dehumidification functional layer, directly determines the water vapor transport and separation efficiency of the device. Silica aerogel possesses extremely high porosity and a nanoscale pore structure, exhibiting excellent diffusion and adsorption capabilities for water vapor, while its low thermal conductivity reduces additional energy consumption caused by temperature differences. Organic aerogels, while maintaining high porosity, possess better toughness and impact resistance, making them suitable for use in environments with vibration or frequent start-stop cycles. Composite aerogels achieve a balance between strength, stability, and mass transfer performance through the synergistic effect of inorganic and organic components.

[0045] In one possible embodiment, as described above, the aerogel permeable membrane in the device specifically employs a composite structure of a polymer porous membrane (e.g., polytetrafluoroethylene) and silica aerogel. The polymer porous membrane serves as the substrate, with its pore size controlled in the micrometer range, providing low-resistance gas channels and good flexible support. The silica aerogel is loaded onto the substrate surface and its pore walls via coating or in-situ gelation, forming a continuously distributed nanoscale pore network. During operation, humid compressed air continuously passes through this composite membrane assembly under the pressure difference of a fan or the system itself. The bulk gas molecules pass rapidly through the channels provided by the substrate, while water vapor preferentially enters the nanoporous structure of the silica aerogel layer under the drive of the partial pressure difference and is migrated to the low-humidity side, thereby achieving continuous dehumidification. Since the entire process does not involve condensation, heating, or adsorbent regeneration, the system only needs to maintain a small pressure difference to operate stably, resulting in significantly lower energy consumption than traditional condensation or adsorption dehumidification devices.

[0046] In one possible embodiment, the device as described above includes a first humidity monitoring unit disposed in a second dehumidification chamber.

[0047] In this embodiment, a first humidity monitoring unit is installed inside the second dehumidification chamber to monitor the humidity status of the dehumidified gas in real time. This first humidity monitoring unit is preferably located near the outlet of the dehumidified gas, allowing it to directly reflect the actual dehumidification effect after the aerogel membrane completes mass transfer. By arranging the humidity monitoring unit inside the second dehumidification chamber, measurement errors caused by pipeline delays or external environmental interference can be avoided, achieving accurate and continuous feedback on the outlet humidity. During continuous operation, operating parameters only need to be adjusted when the outlet humidity deviates from the target range, effectively reducing continuous operation energy consumption.

[0048] In one possible embodiment, as described in the device above, the first humidity monitoring unit can specifically employ a capacitive, impedance, or dew point humidity sensing structure. Its measurement range covers the low humidity range, with a short response time and minimal drift, enabling it to adapt to continuous gas flow conditions. Installed in the second dehumidification chamber near the gas outlet, this structural design allows the device to adjust the drive unit or operating conditions based on real-time humidity data, thereby preventing over- or under-dehumidification, improving system stability while reducing energy consumption.

[0049] In one possible embodiment, the device as described above includes a negative pressure monitoring unit disposed in the second dehumidification chamber.

[0050] In this embodiment, a negative pressure monitoring unit is installed in the second dehumidification chamber to monitor the pressure state of the chamber containing the dehumidified gas in real time. This negative pressure monitoring unit is preferably located near the outlet of the dehumidified gas or in communication with the drive unit, so that it can accurately reflect the actual negative pressure level formed in the second dehumidification chamber under the driving action. By monitoring the negative pressure parameters in the second dehumidification chamber in real time, the magnitude of the driving force formed on both sides of the aerogel permeable membrane can be precisely controlled, ensuring that the water vapor mass transfer process is always within the efficient range. If the negative pressure is too low, the driving force for water vapor migration is insufficient, affecting the dehumidification efficiency; if the negative pressure is too high, it will increase the energy consumption of gas passing through the membrane layer and may even adversely affect the structural stability of the aerogel layer. The introduction of the negative pressure monitoring unit allows the drive unit to dynamically adjust according to the actual pressure state, maintaining only the minimum negative pressure required for continuous dehumidification, thereby avoiding ineffective suction power consumption and reducing the overall energy consumption of the system.

[0051] In one possible embodiment, as described in the device above, the negative pressure monitoring unit can specifically employ a differential pressure sensor or an absolute pressure sensor, whose range covers a low differential pressure range, has high resolution, and fast response speed, making it suitable for stable monitoring under continuous gas flow conditions. It is installed in the second dehumidification chamber near the drive inlet to monitor changes in negative pressure within the chamber in real time. During continuous operation, if the gas flow rate or moisture load changes, the negative pressure monitoring unit feeds the signal back to the control system, automatically adjusting the suction power to ensure stable water vapor transmission during the dehumidification process under low energy consumption conditions.

[0052] In one possible embodiment, the apparatus as described above includes a liquid flow monitoring unit disposed in the first dehumidification chamber.

[0053] In this embodiment, a liquid flow monitoring unit is installed in the first dehumidification chamber to monitor the flow rate of liquid water formed or collected in the first dehumidification chamber in real time. The liquid flow monitoring unit is preferably located in the bottom drainage channel or liquid collection area of ​​the first dehumidification chamber, so that it can directly reflect the actual situation of water conversion from the gas phase to the liquid phase and being discharged after the aerogel breathable membrane completes mass transfer. Real-time monitoring of the liquid flow parameters can intuitively characterize the instantaneous dehumidification flux and cumulative dehumidification capacity of the aerogel breathable membrane. When the liquid flow is stable, it indicates that the water vapor migration process is continuous and efficient; when the flow rate abnormally decreases or fluctuates, it can be promptly determined whether there is membrane module fouling, changes in wet load, or insufficient driving conditions. This monitoring structure allows the device to adjust the driving intensity or operating parameters only when necessary, avoiding further energy consumption when the dehumidification capacity has been fully utilized, thereby achieving low-energy operation.

[0054] In one possible embodiment, as described in the device above, the liquid flow monitoring unit can specifically employ an electromagnetic, ultrasonic, or micro-flow mass flow meter, whose range is adapted to low flow rate, intermittent, or continuous drainage conditions, and possesses high measurement sensitivity and long-term stability. It is installed in the effluent discharge pipe at the bottom of the first dehumidification chamber. During operation, the control system determines the current dehumidification load based on changes in liquid flow: when the liquid flow reaches a stable plateau, the existing driving conditions are maintained; when the flow rate decreases significantly, the negative pressure or gas residence time is appropriately increased. In this way, precise control of the dehumidification process can be achieved, ensuring long-term continuous operation of the system while maintaining low energy consumption.

[0055] To illustrate the gas dehumidification device provided by the present invention in more detail, in one possible embodiment, such as Figure 1The diagram shows a schematic of the gas dehumidification device provided in this application. An aerogel breathable membrane unit 1 forms a closed dehumidification chamber. An aerogel breathable membrane 3 is disposed in the middle of the dehumidification chamber, structurally dividing the chamber into a first dehumidification chamber 2 and a second dehumidification chamber 4. A gas inlet to be dehumidified is provided on one side of the first dehumidification chamber 2 for introducing humidified gas; a dehumidified gas outlet is provided on one side of the second dehumidification chamber 4 and is directly connected to the drive inlet of the drive unit 5. During operation, humidified gas enters the first dehumidification chamber 2 through the gas inlet to be dehumidified. The aerogel breathable membrane 3 is disposed between the first dehumidification chamber 2 and the second dehumidification chamber 4, and its structure allows selective permeation of humidified gas. When the drive unit 5 is activated and a negative pressure is formed in the second dehumidification chamber 4, the pressure in the second dehumidification chamber 4 is lower than that in the first dehumidification chamber. A stable pressure difference is generated on both sides of the aerogel breathable membrane 3, driving the humidified gas to continuously migrate from the first dehumidification chamber 2 side to the second dehumidification chamber 4 side. The moisture is intercepted by the aerogel breathable membrane 3 and collected in the first dehumidification chamber 2. The dehumidified dry gas is transported downstream via the drive unit 5, thereby achieving the separation of the gas phase and the moisture migration path.

[0056] In this embodiment, the liquid flow monitoring unit 8 is located in the first dehumidification chamber 2 to monitor the flow rate of the collected and discharged liquid water in real time, thereby reflecting the current dehumidification flux and the working status of the membrane module. The first humidity monitoring unit 6 is located in the second dehumidification chamber 4 to detect the humidity level of the dehumidified gas in real time, ensuring that the gas has reached the expected degree of dryness. The negative pressure monitoring unit 7 is also located in the second dehumidification chamber 4 to monitor the negative pressure state formed by the drive unit 5, ensuring that the differential pressure is within the reasonable range required for efficient mass transfer. Through the above structural connection, the gas forms a continuous flow path from the first dehumidification chamber 2 to the second dehumidification chamber 4 in the device, and the moisture is continuously separated and discharged under the differential pressure drive, realizing a continuous, efficient and energy-controllable gas dehumidification process.

[0057] Secondly, the present invention provides a production system comprising a gas unit to be dehumidified and any of the above-mentioned gas dehumidification devices, wherein the gas outlet and the gas inlet of the gas unit to be dehumidified are connected.

[0058] In one possible embodiment, as described in the production system above, the system includes a gas unit to be dehumidified and any of the aforementioned gas dehumidification devices, wherein the gas outlet of the gas unit to be dehumidified is connected to the gas inlet of the gas dehumidification device. By directly connecting the gas unit to be dehumidified and the gas dehumidification device, the system can achieve continuous gas flow from generation to dehumidification, avoiding energy losses caused by frequent start-ups and shutdowns or intermediate gas storage in traditional intermittent dehumidification systems. This structure eliminates the need for additional cooling or heating of the gas before it enters the dehumidification device; water vapor migration can be completed solely by the partial pressure difference or negative pressure driving force formed across the aerogel permeable membrane, which helps reduce overall operating energy consumption. Simultaneously, the continuously connected structure helps maintain stable gas flow and pressure conditions, ensuring the dehumidification device always operates within its efficient mass transfer range, thereby improving dehumidification capacity per unit energy consumption. Therefore, directly integrating the gas unit to be dehumidified with the gas dehumidification device is a crucial structural foundation for realizing a continuous, efficient, and low-energy-consumption dehumidification production system.

[0059] In one possible embodiment, such as the production system described above, the connection structure can specifically employ a closed pipeline or integrated interface to ensure that the gas does not exchange moisture with the external environment during transmission, thus ensuring the accuracy of humidity control before and after dehumidification from the system structure. The gas unit to be dehumidified may include a gas generation, collection, or pretreatment module, and the flow rate, temperature, and initial moisture content of its outlet gas can be set according to the production conditions, thereby providing stable input conditions for the subsequent dehumidification process. Because the entire system remains closed and connected, the gas humidity fluctuation is small, and the dehumidification device only needs to maintain a low driving negative pressure to meet the process requirements, thereby significantly reducing energy consumption. This solution is suitable for production lines that operate continuously for long periods, and can stably provide low-humidity gas, avoiding the energy consumption and control complexity problems caused by traditional periodic dehumidification solutions.

[0060] In one possible embodiment, such as the production system described above, there is also a gas source unit, the gas source outlet of which is connected to the gas source inlet of the gas to be dehumidified unit.

[0061] In this embodiment, the gas source outlet of the gas source unit is connected to the gas source inlet of the gas unit to be dehumidified, providing a stable carrier gas to the system continuously. The carrier gas provided by the gas source unit forms a stable airflow with the gas to be treated within the gas unit, serving both a transporting and propelling function to ensure continuous gas entry into the gas dehumidification device. Furthermore, the gas source unit continuously provides the gas unit with a stable composition and controllable moisture content, maintaining relatively constant humidity and partial pressure conditions within the gas unit. Without a stable gas source, the gas unit to be dehumidified is prone to momentary increases or decreases in humidity due to fluctuations in gas generation, intermittent air intake, or localized stagnation. This leads to frequent load fluctuations in the subsequent gas dehumidification device, reducing dehumidification efficiency and forcing the drive unit to repeatedly adjust its operating conditions, increasing unnecessary energy consumption. By introducing a gas source unit, the gas in the gas unit to be dehumidified is continuously replaced and diluted, making it difficult for high-humidity gas to accumulate locally. This keeps the humidity of the gas entering the gas dehumidification device within a predictable and controllable range, providing stable mass transfer driving force conditions for the aerogel permeable membrane, which is beneficial for long-term continuous operation.

[0062] In this embodiment, the gas to be dehumidified unit is typically used to collect, buffer, or pre-treat humid gases, which are often in a high-temperature or high-humidity state during generation or transportation. When the gas enters the gas to be dehumidified unit, due to reduced flow rate, pressure changes, or heat exchange with the cavity wall, some water vapor easily reaches local saturation and undergoes a phase change, forming liquid water. Furthermore, under continuous operation conditions, the mixing of humid gases from different batches or sources within the gas to be dehumidified unit may also lead to an increase in local water vapor partial pressure, thereby inducing condensation. The gas source unit plays a crucial role in the above scenarios. On one hand, the gas source unit continuously introduces a stable carrier gas, which can continuously replace and disturb the gas inside the gas to be dehumidified unit, preventing humid gas from remaining for extended periods, thus reducing the probability of localized water vapor enrichment and condensation. On the other hand, when liquid water has already formed, the airflow provided by the gas source unit can create a directional flow within the cavity, allowing the liquid water to be carried out of the system by lower-humidity gas. In this way, the gas source unit stabilizes the humidity state within the gas unit to be dehumidified, reduces interference with the subsequent dehumidification process, and creates favorable inlet conditions for the continuous, efficient, and low-energy-consumption operation of the gas dehumidification device.

[0063] In one possible embodiment, such as the production system described above, the gas source unit can specifically be equipped with a compressed air source, a nitrogen generator, or an inert gas storage device / pipeline interface, depending on the application scenario. Compressed air sources are suitable for applications with less stringent requirements on gas composition, offering advantages such as easy access and a wide flow rate adjustment range. Nitrogen generators (such as pressure swing adsorption or membrane separation nitrogen generators) are suitable for process systems sensitive to oxygen content and humidity, providing a stable, low-moisture carrier gas. For high-purity or special operating conditions, direct connection to the factory's centralized gas pipeline network can reduce single-point energy consumption and maintenance costs. Furthermore, the gas source unit is typically equipped with pressure reducing valves, pressure regulating valves, and mass flow controllers or needle valves for precise adjustment of output pressure and flow parameters. Through proper selection, the gas source unit can meet the flow carrying and drainage requirements under relatively low pressure conditions, avoiding ineffective energy consumption caused by excessively high gas velocities. Buffer tanks can also be installed if necessary to reduce the impact of gas source fluctuations on the humidity stability of the dehumidification gas unit.

[0064] In one possible embodiment, such as the production system described above, the gas outlet and the gas inlet of the dehumidification unit are connected via a second humidity monitoring unit.

[0065] In this embodiment, the gas outlet of the gas unit to be dehumidified and the gas inlet of the gas dehumidification device are connected by a second humidity monitoring unit. This second humidity monitoring unit is preferably located on the connecting pipeline between the two, forming an online humidity monitoring node before the gas enters the dehumidification device. By monitoring the humidity parameters of the gas online before it enters the dehumidification device, the actual moisture content of the gas to be dehumidified can be determined in advance, providing a stable and reliable input basis for the subsequent dehumidification process. This structure enables the system to proactively adjust the drive unit, gas source unit, or operating parameters based on changes in inlet humidity, avoiding energy waste caused by maintaining high driving force when the moisture load is low, or a decrease in dehumidification efficiency due to adjustment lag when the moisture load suddenly increases.

[0066] In one possible embodiment, such as the production system described above, the second humidity monitoring unit can specifically employ a capacitive, impedance, or dew point humidity sensor structure. Its measurement range covers the medium-to-high humidity range, and its fast response speed makes it suitable for real-time monitoring under continuous airflow conditions. Installed in a sealed pipeline between the outlet of the gas to be dehumidified unit and the inlet of the dehumidification device, when the inlet humidity is detected to be low, the control system automatically reduces the negative pressure level of the drive unit, allowing the dehumidification device to maintain continuous operation while reducing energy consumption. When the inlet humidity increases, the drive force is increased in advance or the air source flow rate is adjusted. This dynamic control scheme based on inlet humidity can significantly improve the overall energy efficiency of the system and ensure the stability and dehumidification efficiency of the continuous dehumidification process.

[0067] In one possible embodiment, such as the production system described above, the gas source outlet and the gas source inlet are connected via a gas flow monitoring unit.

[0068] In this embodiment, the gas source outlet and gas source inlet are connected by a gas flow monitoring unit. This gas flow monitoring unit is installed on the main channel supplying gas from the gas source unit to the system and is used to continuously monitor the actual flow rate of the carrier gas online. By monitoring the gas source supply flow rate in real time, it can be ensured that the carrier gas entering the gas unit to be dehumidified is always kept within a set range. If the flow rate is too low, the carrier gas will not be effective enough in stabilizing humidity and removing liquid water, which may lead to humidity fluctuations or liquid water retention in the gas unit to be dehumidified. If the flow rate is too high, unnecessary gas transport energy consumption will be introduced. The gas flow monitoring unit enables the system to operate under the minimum flow rate required for continuous dehumidification, thereby avoiding waste of gas source and energy and improving the system stability under continuous operation conditions.

[0069] To further illustrate the production system provided by the present invention, in one possible embodiment, such as Figure 2 The diagram shows a production system. The gas dehumidification device, the gas to be dehumidified unit 9, and the gas source unit 10 work together to form a continuously operating production system. The gas to be dehumidified unit 9 is used to collect or generate humid gas. Its gas outlet is connected to the gas to be dehumidified inlet of the gas dehumidification device, and a second humidity monitoring unit 11 is installed between them. The second humidity monitoring unit 11 performs online detection of the humidity of the gas before it enters the dehumidification device, providing a front-end reference for the dehumidification operation. The gas source outlet of the gas source unit 10 is connected to the gas source inlet of the gas to be dehumidified unit 9, used to introduce a stable carrier gas into the system. A gas flow monitoring unit 12 is installed between the gas source outlet and the gas source inlet to monitor the actual supply flow rate of the carrier gas in real time. After the carrier gas enters the gas to be dehumidified unit 9, it forms a stable airflow with the humid gas. On the one hand, this propels the gas to flow continuously towards the dehumidification device; on the other hand, it disturbs and carries away any liquid water that may form within the gas to be dehumidified unit, preventing moisture retention or re-evaporation and ensuring stable system operation.

[0070] In this embodiment, during operation, gas enters the dehumidification unit 9 from the gas source unit 10, passes through the second humidity monitoring unit 11, and then enters the aerogel permeable membrane unit 1 to complete dehumidification. The dehumidified gas then enters the drive unit 5 through the second dehumidification chamber 4 and is transported downstream. The water separated after dehumidification is monitored by the liquid flow monitoring unit 8 and discharged. The first humidity monitoring unit 6 and the negative pressure monitoring unit 7 are used to monitor the state of the dehumidified gas for flexible adjustment. By coordinating the monitoring of inlet humidity, carrier gas flow rate, outlet humidity, and negative pressure state, this production system can maintain a stable gas flow direction and controlled humidity changes under continuous operation conditions, achieving efficient dehumidification while effectively reducing overall energy consumption.

[0071] To demonstrate the technical effects of the gas dehumidification device and production system provided by the present invention, Examples 1, 2, Comparative Example 1 and Comparative Example 2 are given below. The gas dehumidification effect is tested by comparing the gas humidity readings of the first humidity monitoring unit and the second humidity monitoring unit.

[0072] Example 1

[0073] like Figure 2 The diagram shows a production system used in Example 1. The gas outlet of the gas source unit 10 is connected to the gas inlet of the gas to be dehumidified unit 9, and a gas flow monitoring unit 12 is installed between the gas outlet and the gas inlet. The gas outlet of the gas to be dehumidified unit 9 is connected to the gas inlet of the gas to be dehumidified located in the first dehumidification chamber 2 of the gas dehumidification device, and a second humidity monitoring unit 11 is installed between the gas outlet and the gas inlet. The dehumidified gas outlet in the second dehumidification chamber 4 of the aerogel breathable membrane unit 1 is connected to the drive inlet of the drive unit 5. A first humidity monitoring unit 6 and a negative pressure monitoring unit 7 are also installed at the dehumidified gas outlet in the second dehumidification chamber 4. A liquid flow monitoring unit 8 is installed in the first dehumidification chamber 2, and an aerogel breathable membrane 3 is installed between the first dehumidification chamber 2 and the second dehumidification chamber 4.

[0074] The aerogel breathable membrane unit 1 is a sealed stainless steel container equipped with an inlet for the gas to be dehumidified, an outlet for the dehumidified gas, and an aerogel breathable membrane mounting slot. After the aerogel breathable membrane 3 is correctly installed, the aerogel breathable membrane unit 1 is divided into a first dehumidification chamber 2 and a second dehumidification chamber 4. The gas in the first dehumidification chamber 2 and the second dehumidification chamber 4 can only migrate through the aerogel breathable membrane 3. The drive unit 5 uses a vacuum pump. The first humidity monitoring unit 6 and the second humidity monitoring unit 11 use the same type of capacitive humidity sensor and are calibrated before use. The negative pressure monitoring unit 7 uses a diaphragm-type differential pressure sensor. The liquid flow monitoring unit 8 uses a liquid-sealed automatic drainer. The gas to be dehumidified unit 9 is a sealed stainless steel container equipped with a gas source inlet, a gas outlet for the gas to be dehumidified, and a water storage chamber. The gas source unit 10 uses a nitrogen storage device equipped with a pressure regulating valve, and the gas flow monitoring unit 12 uses a bypass flow sensor. In Example 1, the aerogel breathable membrane 3 uses a porous polytetrafluoroethylene microporous membrane as the substrate, and a silica aerogel layer is loaded on its surface and in the pores. The average pore size of the aerogel breathable membrane 3 is 40 nm, and the porosity is 88-92%.

[0075] In this process, 25L of water is added to the water storage chamber within the dehumidification gas unit 9, ensuring the liquid level does not exceed the gas source inlet. Figure 2As shown and connected as described above, all components except the aerogel breathable membrane 3 are installed. The gas source unit 10 is activated to provide a continuous and stable flow of dry nitrogen. The flow rate of the dry nitrogen is controlled at 0.8 L / min by the gas flow monitoring unit 12. After passing through the dehumidification gas unit 9, the dry nitrogen flow forms a dehumidified gas with stable humidity and flow rate. Its humidity is monitored and recorded by the second humidity monitoring unit 11. Simultaneously, the drive unit 5 is activated to maintain a certain negative pressure to drive the gas flow, which is monitored by the negative pressure monitoring unit 7, whose reading is -2 kPa. The humidity of the dehumidified gas is also monitored and recorded by the first humidity monitoring unit 6.

[0076] After the readings of the gas flow monitoring unit 12, the second humidity monitoring unit 11, and the negative pressure monitoring unit 7 stabilize to form a controllable test environment, the aerogel breathable membrane 3 is installed and the system is kept running while ensuring the airtightness of the system to start the test. The readings of the first humidity monitoring unit 6 and the second humidity monitoring unit 11 are recorded after the same amount of time after the start of the test, for a period of 24 hours. Table 1 shows the humidity comparison after 24 hours of dehumidification provided in this embodiment.

[0077] As shown in Table 1, after the air source unit 10 and drive unit 5 are turned on, the humidity reading of the second humidity monitoring unit 11 remains stable throughout the 24-hour ventilation process, while the humidity reading of the first humidity monitoring unit 6 shows a downward trend and maintains a measurable difference from the humidity reading of the second humidity monitoring unit 11. This proves that the gas to be dehumidified passes through the aerogel breathable membrane 3 and achieves efficient water-gas separation. This structure achieves higher dehumidification efficiency without increasing additional energy consumption such as refrigeration and regeneration, fully demonstrating the comprehensive advantages of this invention in continuous, efficient, and low-energy-consumption gas dehumidification applications.

[0078] Example 2

[0079] In Example 2, the equipment and process were exactly the same as in Example 1, except for the type of aerogel breathable membrane 3. Data is recorded in Table 1. The aerogel breathable membrane 3 in Example 2 consists of three aerogel breathable sub-membranes (N=3). Each sub-membrane uses porous polytetrafluoroethylene as the matrix, with a silica aerogel layer loaded on its surface, forming a seamless, modular encapsulation. The first aerogel breathable sub-membrane, closest to the gas to be dehumidified, has an average pore size of approximately 80 nm and a porosity of approximately 90-95%. The second aerogel breathable sub-membrane has an average pore size of 60 nm and a porosity of 85-90%. The third aerogel breathable sub-membrane has an average pore size of 40 nm and a porosity of approximately 80-85%.

[0080] As shown in Table 1, after replacing the aerogel permeable membrane 3 with a three-layer aerogel permeable sub-membrane (N=3) connected in series, the parallel structure of the three-layer aerogel permeable membrane can further reduce the outlet humidity to approximately 37%RH within the same operating time, significantly increasing the overall dehumidification range. Especially in the first 2 hours of operation, the humidity reduction rate of the three-layer parallel membrane was significantly higher than that of the single-layer membrane structure, indicating that the parallel setup effectively increased the effective mass transfer area of ​​the aerogel permeable membrane, thereby enhancing the transmembrane migration capacity of water vapor. Furthermore, during the entire 24-hour continuous operation, the parallel structure of the three-layer aerogel permeable membrane did not exhibit any dehumidification performance degradation or failure, and the outlet humidity remained stable, demonstrating good long-term stability under continuous operation.

[0081] Comparative Example 1

[0082] like Figure 3 The diagram shown is a schematic diagram of the first comparative example structure provided by the present invention. In Comparative Example 1, the same gas source unit 10, gas flow monitoring unit 12, dehumidified gas unit 9, and second humidity monitoring unit 11 as in Example 1 are used to obtain dehumidified gas with the same humidity and flow rate as the initial conditions. The dehumidified gas outlet of the dehumidified gas unit 9 is connected to the gas inlet of the adsorption column 13, and the gas outlet of the adsorption column 13 is equipped with the same first humidity monitoring unit 6 as in Example 1. The adsorption column 13 has an inner diameter of 50 mm and uses two-stage adsorption units connected in series inside. The packing height of each adsorption unit is 400 mm. The first stage is filled with anhydrous calcium chloride particles with a particle size of 2 mm, and the second stage is filled with 3A molecular sieve with a pore size of 0.3 nm and a particle size of 1.6 mm. Similar to Example 1, the flow rate of the dry nitrogen gas was controlled at 0.8 L / min, and the reading of the second humidity monitoring unit 11 was 78%RH. After the readings of the gas flow monitoring unit 12 and the second humidity monitoring unit 11 stabilized to form a controllable test environment, the readings of the first humidity monitoring unit 6 and the second humidity monitoring unit 11 were recorded after the same amount of time had elapsed since the start of the test, for a period of 24 hours, and recorded in Table 1.

[0083] As shown in Table 1, the humidity of the outlet gas decreased rapidly in the initial stage of the experiment, demonstrating a good dehumidification effect. However, after 40 minutes of continuous operation, the outlet humidity began to rise significantly, indicating that the adsorbent was close to saturation and the dehumidification efficiency dropped sharply. After the experiment, the device needed to be disassembled and the adsorbent replaced, making continuous operation impossible. Therefore, compared with the present invention, this adsorbent system cannot operate continuously and stably. In addition, the purchase and replacement of consumable adsorbents incur ongoing costs, while regenerable adsorbents require additional equipment for regeneration, resulting in high energy costs.

[0084] Comparative Example 2

[0085] like Figure 4The diagram shown is a schematic diagram of the second comparative example provided by the present invention. In Comparative Example 2, the same gas source unit 10, gas flow monitoring unit 12, dehumidified gas unit 9, and second humidity monitoring unit 11 as in Example 1 are used to obtain dehumidified gas with the same humidity and flow rate as the initial conditions. The dehumidified gas outlet of the dehumidified gas unit 9 is connected to the gas inlet of the condenser 14, and the gas outlet of the condenser 14 is equipped with the same first humidity monitoring unit 6 as in Example 1. The condenser 14 uses three semiconductor cooling chips (TEC) connected in parallel, the dehumidified gas flow channel is an aluminum cold end with an effective heat exchange area of ​​180 square centimeters, the total cooling power is 150W, and the bottom of the condenser 14 uses the same liquid flow monitoring unit 8 as in Example 1 to discharge condensate. Similar to Example 1, the flow rate of the dry nitrogen gas was controlled at 0.8 L / min, and the reading of the second humidity monitoring unit 11 was 78%RH. After the readings of the gas flow monitoring unit 12 and the second humidity monitoring unit 11 stabilized to form a controllable test environment, the readings of the first humidity monitoring unit 6 and the second humidity monitoring unit 11 were recorded after the same amount of time elapsed since the start of the test, for a total of 24 hours. The records are shown in Table 1.

[0086] As shown in Table 1, under the same intake humidity and flow rate conditions, to achieve effective dehumidification, the condenser temperature needs to be maintained below 5°C. It is estimated that the power consumption for 24 hours of full-power operation is at least 3600Wh. However, in Example 1, with an airflow rate of 0.8L / min, the estimated power consumption for the drive unit 5 maintaining a negative pressure of -2kPa for 24 hours is only 6-7Wh. Example 1 provided by this invention demonstrates a significant advantage in low energy consumption. Furthermore, condensation dehumidification has a dew point limit; lower humidity requires lower condensation temperatures, resulting in higher energy consumption. Simultaneously, with continuous dehumidification operation, the condenser is prone to frosting, leading to increased thermal resistance and requiring periodic defrosting, thus reducing production efficiency.

[0087]

[0088] Finally, it should be noted that other embodiments of the invention will readily occur to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. This invention is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention that follow the general principles of the invention and include common knowledge or customary techniques in the art not disclosed herein. It is not limited to the precise structures described above and shown in the accompanying drawings, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from its scope. The scope of the invention is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A gas dehumidifying device characterized by comprising: include: An aerogel breathable membrane unit and a driving unit, wherein the aerogel breathable membrane unit includes a dehumidification chamber and an aerogel breathable membrane disposed in the dehumidification chamber; The aerogel breathable membrane divides the dehumidification chamber into a first dehumidification chamber and a second dehumidification chamber. The first dehumidification chamber includes an inlet for the gas to be dehumidified, and the second dehumidification chamber includes an outlet for the dehumidified gas. The drive unit includes a drive inlet, and the dehumidified gas outlet is connected to the drive inlet.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, The aerogel breathable membrane includes a matrix and an aerogel layer loaded on the matrix; the average pore size of the aerogel breathable membrane is 5-100 nm, and the porosity is 80-95%.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein, In the direction from the inlet of the gas to be dehumidified to the outlet of the dehumidified gas, the aerogel breathable membrane includes N aerogel breathable sub-membranes, where N≥2; each aerogel breathable sub-membrane includes the substrate and the aerogel layer loaded on the substrate; The average pore size of the Nth aerogel permeable sub-membrane is smaller than that of the (N-1)th aerogel permeable sub-membrane, and the porosity of the Nth aerogel permeable sub-membrane is smaller than that of the (N-1)th aerogel permeable sub-membrane. The average pore size of the Nth aerogel permeable submembrane is 5-100 nm, and the porosity is 80-95%.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 or 3, wherein, The substrate includes at least one of polymer porous membrane, porous ceramic, foam metal and fiber felt; the aerogel layer includes at least one of silica aerogel, organic aerogel or composite aerogel.

5. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, It includes a first humidity monitoring unit disposed in the second dehumidification chamber; and / or includes a negative pressure monitoring unit disposed in the second dehumidification chamber.

6. The device of any one of claims 1-5, wherein, It includes a liquid flow monitoring unit, which is disposed in the first dehumidification chamber.

7. A production system, characterized by It includes a gas dehumidification unit and a gas dehumidification device as described in any one of 1-6, wherein the gas outlet of the gas dehumidification unit and the gas inlet of the gas dehumidification unit are connected.

8. The production system of claim 7, wherein, It also includes an air source unit, the air source outlet of which is connected to the air source inlet of the gas to be dehumidified unit.

9. The production system of claim 8, wherein, The gas outlet and the gas inlet of the dehumidification unit are connected by a second humidity monitoring unit.

10. The production system according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that The gas source outlet and the gas source inlet are connected by a gas flow monitoring unit.

Images