A rapid nitrogen generator
By designing pre-adsorption tanks and buffer tanks, the problem of performance degradation of molecular sieve adsorption towers in high humidity environments was solved, achieving a stable nitrogen production process and efficient nitrogen production.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- GUANGDONG HUJIANG NEW MATERIALS TECHNOLOGY CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-09-05
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-31
AI Technical Summary
Existing PSA nitrogen generators experience a decline in the performance of their molecular sieve adsorption towers under high humidity conditions, affecting nitrogen purity and efficiency.
The design employs a pre-adsorption tank group and a buffer tank. The pre-adsorption tank group is filled with activated carbon to adsorb moisture and impurities, while the buffer tank stabilizes the inlet air pressure. Combined with the inlet and outlet valve group electrically connected to the control box and PLC, it achieves rapid response and pressure equalization.
Protecting the molecular sieve from moisture reduces pressure fluctuations, improves nitrogen production efficiency and purity, and ensures stable operation during rapid start-up.
Smart Images
Figure CN224573498U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of nitrogen production technology, and more specifically, to a rapid nitrogen production device. Background Technology
[0002] Chinese patent document CN221619016 U discloses an energy-saving, fast-start PSA nitrogen generator. A main valve is located at the output end of the left side of the compressed air storage tank, and an adsorption tower group is connected to the right side of the compressed air storage tank via a pipeline. A secondary valve is located on the pipeline between the compressed air storage tank and the adsorption tower group. The adsorption tower group adsorbs oxygen molecules from the compressed air. The compressed air enters the molecular sieve adsorption tower B under a certain pressure for nitrogen production. Molecular sieve adsorption towers A and B can circulate and continuously produce nitrogen, improving work efficiency. When a shutdown is required, the nitrogen in the nitrogen storage tank backflushes the molecular sieve adsorption tower after the shutdown, ensuring the purity of the produced nitrogen. Within the pressure range of the nitrogen storage tank that meets the usage requirements, a short shutdown is possible to save energy without affecting the purity of the nitrogen.
[0003] The aforementioned energy-saving, fast-start PSA nitrogen generator compresses air, which then undergoes dust removal, oil removal, and drying processes. However, in high-humidity environments, if the performance of the refrigerated dryer unit fails to keep up, the molecular sieve in the adsorption tower will become damp, leading to a decline in performance. Utility Model Content
[0004] To address the aforementioned issues, this utility model discloses a rapid nitrogen generation device, comprising an air compressor inlet unit, an adsorption tower unit, and a finished nitrogen storage tank connected in sequence. The adsorption tower unit includes an adsorption tower assembly, a nitrogen storage tank, and a pre-adsorption tank assembly mounted on a skid. An inlet valve assembly is connected between the outlet of the pre-adsorption tank assembly and the inlet of the adsorption tower assembly, and an outlet valve assembly is connected between the outlet of the adsorption tower assembly and the inlet of the nitrogen storage tank. The air compressor inlet unit includes an air compressor, a refrigerated dryer unit, and an air storage tank connected in sequence. A buffer tank is mounted on the skid and connected between the air storage tank and the pre-adsorption tank assembly.
[0005] Preferred options also include:
[0006] The control box, the intake valve assembly, and the exhaust valve assembly are all electrically connected to the PLC inside the control box.
[0007] Preferably, the capacity of the buffer tank is 1 / 3 of the capacity of the air storage tank.
[0008] Preferably, the pre-adsorption tank group consists of two pre-adsorption tanks, one for use and one for standby, and the pre-adsorption tanks are filled with activated carbon.
[0009] Preferably, the adsorption tower group consists of two adsorption towers, with the air inlet located at the bottom of the adsorption tower and the air inlet valve group connected to the air inlets of the two adsorption towers. The air outlet is located at the top of the adsorption tower and the air outlet valve group is connected to the air outlet of the two adsorption towers. The middle section of the two adsorption towers is connected to a central pressure equalization pipeline with a valve.
[0010] Preferably, the inlet valve assembly includes a lower inlet pipe connected to the inlets of the two adsorption towers. Two inlet valves are installed on the lower inlet pipe. One end of the upper inlet pipe is connected to the outlet of the pre-adsorption tank assembly, and the other end of the upper inlet pipe is connected to the lower inlet pipe and located between the two inlet valves. A lower valve-equipped pressure equalization pipe is bypassed and connected to both ends of the lower inlet pipe near the inlets of the adsorption towers.
[0011] Preferably, the lower exhaust pipe is bypassed and connected to both ends of the lower intake pipe near the air inlet of the adsorption tower. Two exhaust valves are installed on the lower exhaust pipe. The silencer is connected to the lower exhaust pipe through a pipe and is located between the two exhaust valves. The silencer is installed on the skid.
[0012] Preferably, the outlet valve assembly includes an upper outlet pipeline connected to the outlets of two adsorption towers, with two outlet valves installed on the upper outlet pipeline. One end of the rear outlet pipeline is connected to the inlet of the nitrogen storage tank, and the other end of the rear outlet pipeline is connected to the upper outlet pipeline and located between the two outlet valves. An upper valve-equipped pressure equalization pipeline is bypassed and connected to both ends of the upper outlet pipeline near the outlets of the adsorption towers. A filter is installed on the rear outlet pipeline.
[0013] Preferably, a small auxiliary pressure equalization pump is installed on the upper pressure equalization pipeline with a valve.
[0014] Preferably, the outlet end of the nitrogen storage tank is equipped with a finished nitrogen pipeline, a flow meter is installed on the finished nitrogen pipeline, a valved venting pipeline is connected to the finished nitrogen pipeline via a tee pipe, a nitrogen recovery pipeline is connected to the valved venting pipeline via a tee pipe, a flow meter, a check valve and a recovery valve are installed on the nitrogen recovery pipeline, and the end of the nitrogen recovery pipeline away from the valved venting pipeline is connected to the inlet gas pipeline.
[0015] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages:
[0016] This invention provides a rapid nitrogen generator. The pre-adsorption tank group protects the molecular sieves in the adsorption tower from moisture. The buffer tank stabilizes the inlet pressure, reduces pressure fluctuations during rapid start-up, and improves nitrogen generation efficiency. Air is compressed by an air compressor, dried by a refrigerated dryer, stored in an air storage tank, then sent to the buffer tank. After pre-adsorption by the pre-adsorption tank group, it enters the adsorption tower group to generate nitrogen, which is then stored in a nitrogen storage tank. The pre-adsorption tank group adsorbs moisture and impurities, preventing malfunctions of the refrigerated dryer and thus protecting the molecular sieves in the adsorption tower from moisture. Attached Figure Description
[0017] To more clearly illustrate the specific embodiments of this utility model or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the specific embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.
[0018] Figure 1 This is a flowchart illustrating the present invention.
[0019] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the adsorption tower unit of this utility model.
[0020] In the diagram: 10. Air compressor inlet unit; 11. Adsorption tower unit; 12. Finished nitrogen storage tank; 13. Adsorption tower group; 14. Nitrogen storage tank; 15. Pre-adsorption tank group; 16. Inlet valve group; 17. Outlet valve group; 18. Air compressor; 19. Refrigerated dryer unit; 20. Air storage tank; 21. Buffer tank; 22. Control box; 23. Middle valved equalization pipeline; 24. Lower inlet pipeline; 25. Inlet valve; 26. Front inlet pipeline; 27. Lower valved equalization pipeline; 28. Lower vent pipeline; 29. Vent valve; 30. Silencer; 31. Upper outlet pipeline; 32. Outlet valve; 33. Rear outlet pipeline; 34. Upper valved equalization pipeline; 35. Small auxiliary equalization pump; 36. Finished nitrogen pipeline; 37. Nitrogen recovery pipeline. Detailed Implementation
[0021] The technical solution of this utility model will now be clearly and completely described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this invention. Based on the embodiments of this utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this utility model.
[0022] Example
[0023] The present invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0024] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, this embodiment provides a rapid nitrogen generation device, including an air compressor inlet unit 10, an adsorption tower unit 11, and a finished nitrogen storage tank 12 connected in sequence. The adsorption tower unit 11 includes an adsorption tower assembly 13, a nitrogen storage tank 14, and a pre-adsorption tank assembly 15 mounted on a skid. An inlet valve assembly 16 is connected between the outlet end of the pre-adsorption tank assembly 15 and the inlet end of the adsorption tower assembly 13. An outlet valve assembly 17 is connected between the outlet end of the adsorption tower assembly 13 and the inlet end of the nitrogen storage tank 14. The air compressor inlet unit 10 includes an air compressor 18, a refrigerated dryer unit 19, and an air storage tank 20 connected in sequence. A buffer tank 21 is mounted on a skid and connected between the air storage tank 20 and the pre-adsorption tank assembly 15.
[0025] The working principle and beneficial effects of the above technical solution are as follows:
[0026] This utility model discloses a rapid nitrogen generator. Air is compressed by an air compressor 18, dried by a refrigerated dryer 19, and stored in an air storage tank 20. It is then fed into a buffer tank 21, and after being adsorbed by a pre-adsorption tank group 15, it enters the adsorption tower group 13 to generate nitrogen, which is then stored in a nitrogen storage tank 14. The pre-adsorption tank group 15 adsorbs moisture and impurities, preventing malfunctions of the refrigerated dryer and protecting the molecular sieve in the adsorption tower group 13 from moisture. The rapid nitrogen generator provided by this utility model utilizes the pre-adsorption tank group 15 to protect the molecular sieve in the adsorption tower group 13 from moisture. The buffer tank 21 stabilizes the inlet pressure, reduces pressure fluctuations during rapid start-up, and improves nitrogen generation efficiency.
[0027] In one embodiment, it also includes:
[0028] The control box 22, the intake valve group 16, and the exhaust valve group 17 are all electrically connected to the PLC inside the control box 22.
[0029] The working principle of the above technical solution is as follows:
[0030] The control box 22 enables rapid response of the intake valve group 16 and the exhaust valve group 17.
[0031] In one embodiment, the capacity of the buffer tank 21 is one-third of the capacity of the air storage tank 20.
[0032] The beneficial effects of the above technical solution are as follows:
[0033] The buffer tank 21 stabilizes the intake pressure, reduces pressure fluctuations during rapid startup, and improves nitrogen production efficiency.
[0034] In one embodiment, the pre-adsorption tank group 15 consists of two pre-adsorption tanks, one for use and one for standby, and the pre-adsorption tanks are filled with activated carbon.
[0035] The working principle and beneficial effects of the above technical solution are as follows:
[0036] The pre-adsorption tanks are filled with activated carbon to adsorb moisture and impurities. Two pre-adsorption tanks are used, one in operation and one as a backup. This allows for quick switching to the other pre-adsorption tank if the activated carbon in one tank becomes damp. If the activated carbon in a pre-adsorption tank becomes damp, it will clump together, increasing the internal pressure. This allows for quick identification of whether the activated carbon in the adsorption tank has become damp and clumped.
[0037] In one embodiment, the adsorption tower group 13 consists of two adsorption towers, with the air inlet located at the bottom of the adsorption tower, the air inlet valve group 16 connected to the air inlets of the two adsorption towers, the air outlet located at the top of the adsorption tower, the air outlet valve group 17 connected to the air outlets of the two adsorption towers, and the middle section of the two adsorption towers is connected to a middle valve equalization pipeline 23.
[0038] The working principle and beneficial effects of the above technical solution are as follows:
[0039] With the central valve-equipped pressure equalization pipeline 23, the two adsorption towers achieve rapid pressure equalization and balance the pressure of the two adsorption towers, while the inlet valve group 16 and outlet valve group 17 enable rapid switching.
[0040] In one embodiment, the inlet valve assembly 16 includes a lower inlet pipe 24, which is connected to the inlets of two adsorption towers. Two inlet valves 25 are installed on the lower inlet pipe 24. One end of the upper inlet pipe 26 is connected to the outlet of the pre-adsorption tank assembly 15, and the other end of the upper inlet pipe 26 is connected to the lower inlet pipe 24 and located between the two inlet valves 25. A lower valve-equipped pressure equalization pipe 27 is bypassed and connected to both ends of the lower inlet pipe 24 near the inlets of the adsorption towers.
[0041] The working principle and beneficial effects of the above technical solution are as follows:
[0042] After adsorption, the air in the pre-adsorption tank group 15 is sent into the lower inlet pipe 24 through the inlet pipe 26, and the two inlet valves 25 installed on the lower inlet pipe 24 realize the switching of the air intake between the two adsorption towers. The setting of the lower valve-equipped pressure equalization pipe 27 realizes rapid pressure equalization at the bottom of the two adsorption towers.
[0043] In one embodiment, the vent pipe 28 is bypassed and connected to both ends of the lower air inlet pipe 24 near the air inlet of the adsorption tower. Two vent valves 29 are installed on the lower vent pipe 28. The silencer 30 is connected to the lower vent pipe 28 through a pipe and is located between the two vent valves 29. The silencer 30 is installed on a skid.
[0044] The working principle and beneficial effects of the above technical solution are as follows:
[0045] When switching between the two adsorption towers, the vented gas is sent into the lower venting pipe 28, and after the venting valve 29 is opened, it is vented through the silencer 30. The silencer 30 is designed to reduce venting noise.
[0046] In one embodiment, the exhaust valve assembly 17 includes an upper exhaust pipe 31 connected to the exhaust ports of two adsorption towers. Two exhaust valves 32 are installed on the upper exhaust pipe 31. One end of the rear exhaust pipe 33 is connected to the inlet of the nitrogen storage tank 14, and the other end of the rear exhaust pipe 33 is connected to the upper exhaust pipe 31 and located between the two exhaust valves 32. An upper valve-equipped pressure equalization pipe 34 is bypassed and connected to both ends of the upper exhaust pipe 31 near the exhaust ports of the adsorption towers. A filter is installed on the rear exhaust pipe 33.
[0047] The working principle and beneficial effects of the above technical solution are as follows:
[0048] The finished nitrogen gas after adsorption by the two adsorption towers is sent into the upper outlet pipeline 31. Two outlet valves 32 installed on the upper outlet pipeline 31 enable the switching of the gas output from the two adsorption towers. The upper valve-equipped pressure equalization pipeline 34 enables rapid pressure equalization at the top of the two adsorption towers.
[0049] In one embodiment, a small auxiliary pressure equalization pump 35 is installed on the upper valved pressure equalization pipeline 34.
[0050] The beneficial effects of the above technical solution are as follows:
[0051] The small auxiliary pressure equalizing pump 35 enables rapid pressure equalization between the two adsorption towers.
[0052] In one embodiment, a finished nitrogen pipeline 36 is installed at the outlet end of the nitrogen storage tank 14. A flow meter is installed on the finished nitrogen pipeline 36. A venting pipeline with a valve is connected to the finished nitrogen pipeline 36 via a T-junction. A nitrogen recovery pipeline 37 is connected to the venting pipeline with a valve via a T-junction. A flow meter, a check valve, and a recovery valve are installed on the nitrogen recovery pipeline 37. The end of the nitrogen recovery pipeline 37 away from the venting pipeline with a valve is connected to the inlet air pipeline 26.
[0053] The working principle and beneficial effects of the above technical solution are as follows:
[0054] The flow meter on the finished nitrogen pipeline 36 is used to monitor the outgoing flow rate, while the nitrogen recovery pipeline 37 can recover nitrogen that is close to meeting the standard, reduce oxygen interference in the initial adsorption stage, and shorten the time to achieve the required purity.
[0055] Obviously, the above embodiments are merely illustrative examples for clear explanation and are not intended to limit the implementation. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other variations or modifications can be made based on the above description. It is neither necessary nor possible to exhaustively list all possible implementations here. However, obvious variations or modifications derived therefrom are still within the scope of protection of this invention.
Claims
1. A rapid nitrogen production apparatus comprising, in series, an air compressor intake unit (10), an adsorption tower unit (11), and a finished nitrogen storage tank (12), characterized by, The adsorption tower unit (11) includes an adsorption tower assembly (13), a nitrogen storage tank (14), and a pre-adsorption tank assembly (15) mounted on a skid. An inlet valve assembly (16) is connected between the outlet end of the pre-adsorption tank assembly (15) and the inlet end of the adsorption tower assembly (13). An outlet valve assembly (17) is connected between the outlet end of the adsorption tower assembly (13) and the inlet end of the nitrogen storage tank (14). The air compressor inlet unit (10) includes an air compressor (18), a refrigerated dryer unit (19), and an air storage tank (20) connected in sequence. A buffer tank (21) is mounted on a skid and connected between the air storage tank (20) and the pre-adsorption tank assembly (15).
2. A quick nitrogen generator as claimed in claim 1, wherein, Also includes: The control box (22), the intake valve group (16) and the exhaust valve group (17) are all electrically connected to the PLC inside the control box (22).
3. The rapid nitrogen generator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The capacity of the buffer tank (21) is 1 / 3 of the capacity of the air storage tank (20).
4. The quick nitrogen generator of claim 1, wherein The pre-adsorption tank group (15) consists of two pre-adsorption tanks, one for use and one for standby, and the pre-adsorption tanks are filled with activated carbon.
5. The quick nitrogen generator of claim 1, wherein The adsorption tower group (13) consists of two adsorption towers. The air inlet is located at the bottom of the adsorption tower. The air inlet valve group (16) is connected to the air inlet of the two adsorption towers. The air outlet is located at the top of the adsorption tower. The air outlet valve group (17) is connected to the air outlet of the two adsorption towers. The middle section of the two adsorption towers is connected to the middle valve equalization pipeline (23).
6. A quick nitrogen generator as claimed in claim 5, wherein, The inlet valve assembly (16) includes a lower inlet pipe (24), which is connected to the inlet of the two adsorption towers. Two inlet valves (25) are installed on the lower inlet pipe (24). One end of the upper inlet pipe (26) is connected to the outlet of the pre-adsorption tank assembly (15), and the other end of the upper inlet pipe (26) is connected to the lower inlet pipe (24) and located between the two inlet valves (25). The lower valve equalization pipe (27) is bypassed and connected to both ends of the lower inlet pipe (24) near the inlet of the adsorption tower.
7. A quick nitrogen generator as claimed in claim 6, wherein The lower exhaust pipe (28) is bypassed and connected to both ends of the lower intake pipe (24) near the air inlet of the adsorption tower. Two exhaust valves (29) are installed on the lower exhaust pipe (28). The silencer (30) is connected to the lower exhaust pipe (28) through a pipe and is located between the two exhaust valves (29). The silencer (30) is installed on the skid.
8. A quick nitrogen generator as claimed in claim 5, wherein, The exhaust valve assembly (17) includes an upper exhaust pipe (31), which is connected to the exhaust ports of the two adsorption towers. Two exhaust valves (32) are installed on the upper exhaust pipe (31). One end of the rear exhaust pipe (33) is connected to the inlet of the nitrogen storage tank (14), and the other end of the rear exhaust pipe (33) is connected to the upper exhaust pipe (31) and located between the two exhaust valves (32). An upper valve-equilibrium pressure equalization pipe (34) is bypassed and connected to both ends of the upper exhaust pipe (31) near the exhaust ports of the adsorption towers. A filter is installed on the rear exhaust pipe (33).
9. A quick nitrogen generator as claimed in claim 8, wherein, A small auxiliary pressure equalization pump (35) is installed on the upper valve-equivalent pressure line (34).
10. The quick nitrogen generator of claim 6, wherein, The outlet end of the nitrogen storage tank (14) is equipped with a finished nitrogen pipeline (36), a flow meter is installed on the finished nitrogen pipeline (36), a valved venting pipeline is connected to the finished nitrogen pipeline (36) through a tee pipe, a nitrogen recovery pipeline (37) is connected to the valved venting pipeline through a tee pipe, a flow meter, a check valve and a recovery valve are installed on the nitrogen recovery pipeline (37), and the end of the nitrogen recovery pipeline (37) away from the valved venting pipeline is connected to the inlet air pipeline (26).