Air flow equalizing adsorption column for compressed air dryers

Abstract

This invention provides an airflow uniformity adsorption tower for a compressed air dryer, belonging to the field of air drying technology. It includes an adsorption tower with a support frame inside. An adsorption section is mounted on the support frame, and at least one airflow uniformity module is installed within the adsorption section. The airflow uniformity module consists of multiple layers of horizontally spaced transverse cavity grids and vertical cavity grids fixed between adjacent layers of transverse cavity grids. The projection of the vertical cavity grids onto each layer of transverse cavity grids forms a ring array, and adjacent layers of vertical cavity grids are staggered, thus forming multiple filling cavities for filling adsorbent filler and uniformly distributed cavities for guiding the airflow in a zigzag pattern. The advantages are: compressed air flows along the path formed by the uniformly distributed cavities; the airflow is remixed, the adsorbent is fully utilized, and the adsorption efficiency and drying depth are improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of air drying technology, specifically relating to an airflow uniformly distributed adsorption tower for a compressed air dryer. Background Technology

[0002] In many industrial fields such as compressed air purification, chemical separation, and environmental protection, towers filled with adsorbents or packing materials are commonly used to treat process airflows. The core of these devices lies in ensuring that the airflow passes uniformly and stably through the entire packed bed to achieve efficient gas-solid phase contact and mass and heat transfer processes. Traditional adsorption towers typically consist of a cylindrical body, a top air inlet distributor, a middle packed bed, and a bottom air outlet collection device. Their performance largely depends on the uniformity of the initial air distribution and the density and regularity of the packing material. However, in practical applications, it is difficult to ensure uniform packing of packing particles when the gas enters the tower, and there may be local differences in porosity. When the gas passes through the packing layer, it is very easy for "deviation" or "channeling" to occur, that is, most of the gas selectively passes through the path with less resistance, causing some packing to fail to make sufficient contact with the gas and become "idle", which reduces the utilization rate of the packing and the processing efficiency of the entire device, resulting in unstable quality of the final produced gas. Utility Model Content

[0003] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention provides an airflow uniform distribution adsorption tower for a compressed air dryer.

[0004] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the technical solution adopted by this utility model is as follows: The invention includes an adsorption tower, the interior of which is equipped with a support frame, and an adsorption section is provided on the support frame. The adsorption section is characterized by having at least one airflow distribution module, which consists of multiple horizontally spaced transverse cavity grid disks and vertically fixed longitudinal cavity grid disks between adjacent layers of the transverse cavity grid disks. The projection of the longitudinal cavity grid disks onto each layer of the transverse cavity grid disks forms a ring array, and the longitudinal cavity grid disks of adjacent layers are staggered, thereby enabling the longitudinal cavity grid disks and the transverse cavity grid disks to jointly enclose multiple filling cavities for filling adsorbent fillers and uniformly distributed cavities for guiding the airflow in a zigzag pattern.

[0005] Furthermore, the cross-sectional shape of the longitudinal cavity grid disk is arc-shaped, with its curved surface facing the side wall of the adsorption tower, which is used to guide the airflow direction.

[0006] Furthermore, the transverse cavity grid disk is an annular structure with a central opening, and the central opening together form a packing channel connecting the upper and lower parts of the adsorption section.

[0007] Furthermore, the outer wall of the adsorption tower is provided with an observation window for observing the state of the internal adsorption section.

[0008] Furthermore, the longitudinal cavity grid disk and the transverse cavity grid disk within the same airflow distribution module are connected by welding.

[0009] Furthermore, the transverse cavity grid plate and the support frame are provided with positioning rings for engaging the longitudinal cavity grid plates between different airflow distribution modules.

[0010] Furthermore, the top and bottom of the adsorption tower are respectively connected to a top cover and a bottom cover via flanges, and the top cover and bottom cover are respectively provided with a desorption port and an adsorption port.

[0011] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows: 1. By setting up an airflow distribution module formed by the staggered stacking of transverse and longitudinal grid plates, the problem of uneven airflow distribution inside traditional adsorption towers is effectively solved. After compressed air enters the adsorption tower, it flows along a complex three-dimensional path composed of uniformly distributed cavities in a ring array and staggered vertically. During this process, the airflow is continuously divided, collided, turned, and remixed, ensuring that the airflow can pass through the entire packing bed with a uniform flow velocity and flow field distribution. The adsorbent is fully utilized, improving adsorption efficiency and drying depth, while reducing pressure drop loss caused by excessively high local flow velocities, achieving a highly efficient and energy-saving operating effect.

[0012] 2. The modular structure design combines high performance with high maintainability; the welded connections inside the modules ensure the robustness and reliability of the individual structure, capable of withstanding long-term airflow impact; quick assembly and disassembly between different modules are achieved through positioning rings, making packing replacement and internal maintenance extremely convenient, significantly reducing downtime and maintenance costs; the observation window facilitates intuitive monitoring of the packing moisture status, while the flange connections at the top and bottom simplify the assembly and sealing of the overall equipment; these features collectively enhance the product's practicality and market competitiveness. Attached Figure Description

[0013] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0014] Figure 1 : A three-dimensional structural diagram of this utility model; Figure 2 This utility model Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure in mid-section.

[0015] Among them, 1. Adsorption tower; 2. Support frame; 3. Observation window; 4. Top cover; 41. Desorption port; 5. Bottom cover; 51. Adsorption port; 6. Horizontal cavity grid plate; 7. Vertical cavity grid plate; 8. Packing cavity; 9. Uniformly distributed cavity; 10. Positioning ring. Detailed Implementation

[0016] To better understand this utility model, the following embodiments further illustrate its content, but the scope of protection of this utility model is not limited to the embodiments described below. Numerous specific details are set forth in the following description to provide a more thorough understanding of this utility model. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that this utility model can be practiced without one or more of these details.

[0017] Example 1: See Figure 1-2 This embodiment describes an airflow uniformity adsorption tower for a compressed air dryer. It includes an adsorption tower 1, which is a vertical pressure vessel made of rolled and welded stainless steel. Inside the tower, a disc-shaped support frame 2 with sieve holes is welded and fixed. The support frame 2 is made of 304 stainless steel and has multiple adsorption sections. Each adsorption section contains at least one airflow uniformity module. Because the requirements for the mechanical strength, adsorption characteristics, and airflow distribution accuracy of each section's packing layer differ during operation, each airflow uniformity module can be independently designed and manufactured. The airflow uniformity module consists of multiple horizontally spaced transverse cavity grid discs 6... It consists of a longitudinal grid plate 7 vertically fixed between two adjacent transverse grid plates 6. Both the transverse grid plates 6 and the longitudinal grid plates 7 are 304 stainless steel annular porous plates formed by precision casting. The projection of the longitudinal grid plate 7 on each layer of transverse grid plates 6 is distributed in a ring array, and the longitudinal grid plates 7 of the upper and lower adjacent layers are staggered, so that the longitudinal grid plates 7 and the transverse grid plates 6 together form a large number of continuous, maze-shaped, square-section packing cavities 8 for filling adsorbent packing and uniformly distributed cavities 9 for guiding the airflow to bend forward. The packing cavities 8 are filled with active alumina composite adsorbent with a particle size of 3-5mm.

[0018] For high-pressure adsorption scenarios, higher-strength materials can be used to manufacture the transverse cavity grid disk 6 and the longitudinal cavity grid disk 7, and the packing chamber 8 can be filled with adsorbent packing material with larger particle size and higher mechanical strength to withstand higher pressure differential impacts and prevent packing material breakage. For low-pressure adsorption scenarios, denser uniformly distributed cavities 9 can be designed to improve distribution accuracy and filled with special adsorbent with smaller particle size and higher adsorption efficiency.

[0019] Furthermore, the cross-sectional shape of the longitudinal cavity grid plate 7 is arc-shaped, and the longitudinal cavity grid plate 7 is formed into a ring structure by stamping. During installation, the concave surfaces of all longitudinal cavity grid plates 7 are uniformly oriented towards the central axis of the adsorption tower 1, and the convex surfaces are oriented towards the tower wall to guide the airflow direction. This arc-shaped curved surface can guide the airflow, promote the mixing and redistribution of airflow in the central and edge areas of the tower, and further optimize the uniformity of the flow field.

[0020] See Figure 2 The transverse cavity grid disk 6 is an annular disk structure with a central opening, and the central opening together form a packing cavity that connects the upper and lower parts of the adsorption section.

[0021] See Figure 1 An observation window 3 is provided on the outer wall of the adsorption tower 1 for observing the state of the internal adsorption section. The observation window 3 is made of high-strength tempered glass and is sealed by a pressure-resistant sealing ring and a clamping bolt assembly. Through the observation window 3, the operator can directly observe the color change, sedimentation and pulverization of the adsorbent inside without stopping the machine and opening the cover, thus realizing online monitoring of the status.

[0022] See Figure 2 The longitudinal cavity grid plate 7 and the transverse cavity grid plate 6 within the same airflow uniform distribution module are connected by welding. For a single airflow uniform distribution module, the internal connection adopts a permanent fixing method to ensure structural strength. Specifically, during manufacturing, the lower transverse cavity grid plate 6 is first positioned horizontally, and then the bottom edges of all longitudinal cavity grid plates 7 are aligned with their preset welding positions and continuous full welding is performed using argon arc welding. Similarly, the upper transverse cavity grid plate 6 is then placed on top of the longitudinal cavity grid plate 7 and welded to fix it, thereby forming a robust and independent modular unit that can be hoisted and transported as a whole.

[0023] See Figure 2 To enable rapid positioning and disassembly between modules with different airflow distribution, several positioning rings 10 are welded on the upper surface of each transverse cavity grid plate 6 and at the corresponding position of the support frame 2.

[0024] See Figure 1-2 Stainless steel flanges are welded to the top and bottom of the adsorption tower 1. The top cover 4 and bottom cover 5 are stamped elliptical heads with matching flanges welded to their edges. The top and bottom of the adsorption tower 1 are connected to the top cover 4 and bottom cover 5 respectively through flanges. The top cover 4 has a pipe port welded in the center as a desorption port 41, which is connected to the regeneration pipeline. The bottom cover 5 has a pipe port welded in the center as an adsorption port 51, which is connected to the compressed air inlet pipeline. The top cover 4 and bottom cover 5 are connected to the tower body flanges by bolt groups, and a gasket is installed in the middle to achieve sealing. This structure ensures the pressure bearing capacity of the equipment while also facilitating the opening for major repairs inside the tower.

[0025] Technical effects of this embodiment: By setting up an airflow distribution module formed by the staggered stacking of transverse and longitudinal grid plates, the problem of uneven airflow distribution inside traditional adsorption towers is effectively solved. After compressed air enters the adsorption tower, it flows along a path formed by a ring array of uniformly distributed cavities that are staggered vertically. During this process, the airflow is continuously divided, collided, turned, and remixed, allowing the airflow to pass through the entire packing bed with a uniform flow velocity and flow field distribution. This enables the adsorbent to be fully utilized, improving adsorption efficiency and drying depth, while reducing pressure drop losses caused by excessively high local flow velocities, achieving a highly efficient and energy-saving operating effect.

[0026] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solution of this utility model and are not intended to limit it. Any other modifications or equivalent substitutions made by those skilled in the art to the technical solution of this utility model, as long as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the technical solution of this utility model, should be covered within the scope of the claims of this utility model.

[0027] The above are merely preferred embodiments of this utility model and are not intended to limit the scope of this utility model. Various modifications and variations can be made to this utility model by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, or improvements made within the spirit and principles of this utility model should be included within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. An airflow uniform distribution adsorption tower for a compressed air dryer, comprising an adsorption tower (1), wherein a support frame (2) is installed inside the adsorption tower (1), and an adsorption section is provided on the support frame (2), characterized in that: The adsorption section is provided with at least one airflow distribution module, which consists of multiple horizontally spaced transverse cavity grid disks (6) and vertical cavity grid disks (7) fixed between two adjacent layers of transverse cavity grid disks (6). The projection of the vertical cavity grid disks (7) on each layer of transverse cavity grid disks (6) is distributed in a ring array, and the vertical cavity grid disks (7) of adjacent layers are staggered, so that the vertical cavity grid disks (7) and the transverse cavity grid disks (6) together form multiple filling cavities (8) for filling adsorbent filler and uniformly distributed cavities (9) for guiding the airflow to bend forward.

2. The compressed air dryer flow equalizing adsorption tower of claim 1, wherein, The cross-sectional shape of the longitudinal cavity grid disk (7) is arc-shaped, with its curved surface facing the side wall of the adsorption tower, which is used to guide the airflow direction.

3. The compressed air dryer flow equalizing adsorption tower of claim 1, wherein, The transverse cavity grid disk (6) is an annular structure with a central opening, and the central opening together form a packing channel connecting the upper and lower parts of the adsorption section.

4. The compressed air dryer flow equalizing adsorption tower of claim 1, wherein, The adsorption tower (1) is provided with an observation window (3) on its outer wall for observing the state of the internal adsorption section.

5. The compressed air dryer flow equalizing adsorption tower of claim 1, wherein, The longitudinal cavity grid plate (7) and the transverse cavity grid plate (6) within the same airflow distribution module are connected by welding.

6. The compressed air dryer flow equalizing adsorption tower of claim 1, wherein, The transverse cavity grid plate (6) and the support frame (2) are provided with positioning rings (10) for engaging the longitudinal cavity grid plate (7) between different airflow distribution modules.

7. The compressed air dryer flow equalizing adsorption tower of claim 1, wherein, The top and bottom of the adsorption tower (1) are respectively connected by flanges to a top cover (4) and a bottom cover (5), and the top cover (4) and the bottom cover (5) are respectively provided with a desorption port (41) and an adsorption port (51).

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