Procedure and arrangement

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for removing a working medium from an adsorption module, comprising the following measures: a) providing an adsorption module (2) having a working space (3) in which a working medium (M), in particular methanol, is arranged, and providing a working medium receiving system (10) having a condensation device (11) for receiving and condensing the working medium (M) from the adsorption module (2), b) evacuating the condensation device (11), c) Fluidically connecting the evacuated condensation device (11) of the working medium receiving system (10) to the working space (3) of the adsorption module, so that due to the pressure difference existing between the working space (3) and the working medium receiving system (10), vaporous working medium flows from the working space into the condensation device (11) and condenses there.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for removing a working medium from an adsorption module. The invention further relates to an arrangement comprising such an adsorption module and configured to carry out this method.

[0002] Conventional adsorption modules for heat pump systems generally comprise a housing surrounding a working chamber in which a working medium, typically methanol, is arranged. A phase change zone is also provided in the working chamber, in which a rib structure is arranged, and a sorption zone is also provided in which activated carbon is arranged. The phase change zone is thermally connected to a first fluid path, through which a first fluid can be conducted, fluidically separated from the working chamber and thus from the working medium. Accordingly, the sorption zone is thermally connected to a second fluid path, through which a second fluid can be conducted, fluidically separated from the working chamber and thus from the working medium, and also fluidly separated from the first fluid path and thus from the first fluid.Heat can then be transferred between the two fluids using the working medium, so that the adsorption module functions like a heat pump.

[0003] The working medium used is often a hazardous substance. This is especially true for methanol. If the adsorption module has to be shut down for any reason, the working chamber must be at least largely, ideally completely, cleared of the working medium. However, such a "clearance" of the adsorption module often proves to be problematic and therefore time-consuming, since the majority of the working medium is normally present in the activated carbon in bound form.

[0004] Conventional methods for removing the working medium from the working chamber of adsorption modules, for example, use a vacuum pump to extract the working medium from the working chamber. However, there is always a risk of damage to the vacuum pump due to the working medium, especially—but not exclusively—when the working medium is methanol.

[0005] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved and in particular cost-effective method for removing a working medium from an adsorption module, in which the problem explained above is at least partially, ideally completely, eliminated.

[0006] This object is achieved by the subject matter of the independent patent claims. Preferred embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent patent claims.

[0007] The basic idea of ​​the invention is therefore to free the working space of an adsorption module of working medium using a condensation device specially tailored to the adsorption module, which is fluidly connected to the working space of the adsorption module for this purpose. This condensation device is designed to remove working medium from the working space and condense it so that it can be collected in liquid form and transported away. The transport of the working medium, which is typically present in vapor form in the working space, into this condensation device takes place by generating a negative pressure in the condensation device, so that the working medium flows from the working space into the condensation device solely due to this negative pressure, i.e. due to a pressure difference in the working medium between the working space and the condensation device.The use of a vacuum pump or other active conveying device to transport the working medium out of the working space is therefore deliberately avoided.

[0008] To generate the negative pressure essential to the invention, the condensation device can be evacuated before it is fluidically connected to the working chamber of the adsorption module. The inventive method presented here thus allows for efficient and reliable removal of the working medium from the working chamber. Since a vacuum pump is required only for the evacuation of the condensation device prior to the actual emptying, but not for the actual transport of the working medium from the working chamber, the risk of damage or increased wear to the vacuum pump is eliminated. This also eliminates complex and consequently comparatively expensive maintenance costs for the vacuum pump. The inventive method therefore also proves to be particularly cost-effective compared to conventional methods.

[0009] The method according to the invention comprises three measures a), b), and c). In a first measure a), an adsorption module is provided which has a working chamber in which the working medium, in particular methanol, is arranged. Furthermore, in measure a), a working medium receiving system is provided which comprises a condensation device through which a fluid and thus, in principle, also the working medium can flow, for condensing the working medium. In measure a), the adsorption module can be provided upstream of the working medium receiving system or, alternatively, downstream of the working medium receiving system. Simultaneous provision of the adsorption module and the working medium receiving system is also possible.

[0010] In a second measure b) of the method, the fluid pressure of the fluid present in the condensation device, in particular air, is reduced, so that a negative pressure is built up in the condensation device compared to the fluid pressure present in the working space of the adsorption module. In this case, "evacuation" therefore means in particular that a fluid pressure is generated in the fluid present in the condensation device - typically air - which is lower than the fluid pressure of the working medium in the working space, so that a negative pressure exists in the condensation device compared to the working space. For this purpose, the fluid pressure of the fluid present in the condensation device can be reduced below a predetermined threshold value, which is preferably 100 mbar, particularly preferably 10 mbar, most preferably 1 mbar. The lower the fluid pressure, the higher the driving pressure gradient between the adsorption module and the condensation device.In this way, the heat energy required at the adsorption module can be reduced.

[0011] The pressure reduction in the condensation device or its evacuation can be achieved using an evacuation device of the working medium intake system, which in turn can include a vacuum pump. During the evacuation of the condensation device, it is still fluidically separated from the working space of the adsorption module, thus preventing the working medium, especially methanol, from entering the evacuation device or its vacuum pump during the evacuation.

[0012] To collect the working medium from the working chamber, in a third step c), the working medium collection system is fluidly connected to the working chamber of the adsorption module, so that, due to the pressure difference between the working chamber and the working medium collection system, vaporous working medium flows from the working chamber into the condensation device and condenses in the condensation device as described above. The use of an evacuation device or vacuum pump is preferably not required in step c). The condensed working medium is thus present in liquid form in the condensation device and can be collected in a suitable container.In this way, the adsorption module is freed from the working medium and at the same time it is ensured that the working medium, which as mentioned above may be a hazardous substance, cannot enter the external environment of the adsorption module and in particular not into the environment in an uncontrolled manner.

[0013] According to an advantageous development of the method according to the invention, at least during the implementation of measure c), in an additional measure x), the condensation device is cooled, in particular to a temperature of 0°C or less, so that condensation heat released by the condensing working medium is absorbed. By means of said cooling of the condensation device, the dissipation of heat from the working medium and thus its condensation can be supported. This accelerates the removal of working medium from the working space. The greater the cooling of the condensation device and, associated with it, the lower the temperature of the condensation device, the less working medium remains in the working space of the adsorption module after completion of the method according to the invention.

[0014] According to another advantageous development of the method according to the invention, at least while carrying out measure c), in an additional measure y), the working chamber of the adsorption module is heated, in particular to a temperature of 80°C or higher, so that heat of vaporization is supplied to the working medium by the heating. In this way, it can be achieved that the working medium bound in the activated carbon is released in the working chamber and, as described above, flows out of the working chamber due to the existing negative pressure in the condensation vessel. The removal of working medium from the working chamber can therefore also be accelerated with the aid of measure y). The additional measure y) explained above can particularly preferably be combined with the additional measure x) explained above in order to achieve particularly rapid emptying of the working chamber.

[0015] In a further preferred embodiment, at least one of the two additional measures x) and y) can be carried out at least until a temperature difference between the working chamber and the condensation device has exceeded a predetermined threshold. The greater this threshold and thus also the value of the temperature difference reached, the faster the removal of working medium from the working chamber takes place. Particularly preferably, both additional measures x) and y) can be carried out simultaneously, i.e., at the same time.

[0016] In a further preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, after carrying out measure c), the working chamber of the adsorption module is fluidically connected to an evacuation device of the working medium receiving system, which preferably comprises a vacuum pump, via the condensation device in an additional measure z) and is further evacuated by conveying working medium from the working chamber. When carrying out measure z), the evacuation device or its vacuum pump is thus in fluid communication with the working chamber, but the risk of damage to the vacuum pump or increased wear and tear mentioned above no longer exists here, since the working chamber has already been largely freed of the working medium in the course of measure c). By means of measure z), any residual amounts of working medium still remaining in the working chamber can thus be discharged after carrying out measure c).

[0017] According to a further advantageous development, measure z) can be carried out after measure c), preferably directly after measure c). Furthermore, in this development, the sequential execution of the three measures b), c) and z) is repeated at least once, preferably several times. In other words, in this development, at least one sequential execution of the individual measures a), b), c), z), b), c), z) takes place. Such an iteration of measures results in an optimized release of working medium from the work space, with which any residual amounts of working medium still present in the work space can be removed even after the first implementation of measures c) - and optionally also measure z).

[0018] Particularly expediently, in the method according to the invention, measure c) can be carried out at least until no more vaporous working medium is condensed in the condensation device. Whether this condition has occurred can be monitored using suitable sensors or another suitable monitoring device. Alternatively, in this variant, measure c) can also be carried out until a pressure difference of the working medium, i.e. the difference between the fluid pressure of the working medium in the working chamber and the fluid pressure of the working medium in the condensation device, falls below a predetermined threshold value. Since the condensation device was evacuated during measure b), falling below such a threshold value, if suitably defined, means that only an acceptable residual amount of working medium remains in the working chamber.

[0019] The present invention also relates to an arrangement with an adsorption module having a working chamber in which a working medium, in particular methanol, is arranged. Furthermore, the arrangement according to the invention comprises a working medium receiving system having a condensation device, which fluidically communicates with the working chamber of the adsorption module for receiving and condensing the working medium from the adsorption module. Such a fluid connection between the working chamber and the condensation device can be realized via a conventional valve device, by means of which this fluidic connection can be canceled. For this purpose, such a valve device can be adjustable between an open state in which the fluid connection between the working chamber and the condensation device is present, and a closed state in which this fluid connection is interrupted.The valve device can, in particular, be arranged in a fluid line via which the working chamber of the adsorption module fluidically communicates with the condensation device of the working medium receiving system. According to the invention, the above-described arrangement according to the invention is configured to carry out the above-described method according to the invention. The above-explained advantages of the method according to the invention are therefore transferred to the above-described arrangement according to the invention.

[0020] The adsorption module presented above or used in the method according to the invention can comprise a housing surrounding a working chamber in which a working medium, in particular methanol, is arranged. A phase change zone in which a ribbed structure is arranged can be provided in the working chamber. A sorption zone in which activated carbon is arranged can also be provided in the working chamber. During operation of the adsorption module, the working medium can be present in bound form in the activated carbon.

[0021] The phase change zone can be thermally connected to a first fluid path, through which a first fluid can be conducted, fluidically separated from the working chamber and thus from the working medium. Similarly, the sorption zone can be thermally connected to a second fluid path, through which a second fluid can be conducted, fluidically separated from the working chamber and thus from the working medium, and also fluidically separated from the first fluid path and thus from the first fluid.

[0022] In the phase change zone, the working medium can evaporate and condense; in the sorption zone, the working medium can be adsorbed by or desorbed from the activated carbon. For any combination of phase change zone and sorption zone temperatures that can be influenced by the two fluids, a steady-state equilibrium can arise with regard to the amount of working medium adsorbed in the activated carbon and the fluid pressure of the working medium. Provided there is a sufficient total mass of working medium, the following generally applies: The temperature of the phase change zone determines the fluid pressure in the working chamber. This corresponds to the saturation vapor pressure of the working medium, for example, the saturation vapor pressure of methanol. A high phase change zone temperature therefore corresponds to a high pressure, and vice versa. The adsorbed amount or mass of working medium depends on the temperature of the activated carbon and the fluid pressure in the working chamber.A low activated carbon temperature and a high pressure correspond to a large amount of working medium adsorbed in the activated carbon, and vice versa.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, the working medium receiving system can comprise an evacuation device that communicates fluidically with the condensation device, by means of which the condensation device of the working medium receiving system and / or the working space of the adsorption module can be evacuated. For this purpose, the evacuation device can preferably comprise a vacuum pump. In addition to the vacuum pump, a secondary condensation device, for example a so-called "cryotrap" with liquid nitrogen, can be provided as part of the evacuation device upstream of the vacuum pump in order to condense and absorb residual working medium.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention, the condensation device comprises a heat exchanger through which the working medium and - fluidly separated from the working medium and thermally connected to the working medium - a cooling fluid can flow, so that heat can be transferred from the working medium to the cooling fluid in the heat exchanger. Such a heat exchanger is commercially available and can therefore be integrated cost-effectively into the adsorption medium receiving system. Furthermore, such a heat exchanger allows for efficient cooling of the working medium and thus causes the working medium entering the condensation device in vapor or gaseous form to largely or even completely condense there. With the help of the heat exchanger, the removal of working medium from the working space can therefore be accelerated.The stronger the cooling of the working medium by means of the heat exchanger, the less working medium remains in the working space of the adsorption module after completion of the process according to the invention.

[0025] According to a further advantageous development, the arrangement according to the invention, in particular the adsorption module of the arrangement according to the invention, comprises a heating device for heating the working medium in the working chamber of the adsorption module. By heating the working medium in the adsorption module, evaporation heat can be supplied to it. In this way, the working medium bound in the activated carbon can be released in the working chamber and, due to the existing pressure gradient, flows out of the working chamber to the condensation device. The heating device thus also accelerates the removal of the working medium from the working chamber.

[0026] Particularly expediently, a heating device already present in the adsorption module can be used as such a heating device. Preferably, a heating circuit is used as the heating device, which is guided through the adsorption module and through which a heating fluid can flow, fluidically separated from the working chamber. This heating fluid, in turn, can be thermally coupled to the working medium present in the working chamber. Thus, by heat transfer from the heating fluid to the working medium, heating or evaporation heat can be supplied to the working medium. As an alternative to such a heating fluid, the provision of an electric heating device, in particular with electrically energized heating elements, is also conceivable.

[0027] According to a further advantageous development, the working medium receiving system comprises a collecting container that communicates fluidically with the condensation device for collecting the working medium condensed in the condensation device. This ensures that the working medium, especially if it is a hazardous substance, cannot escape into the external environment of the adsorption module in an uncontrolled manner and, in particular, cannot enter the environment, but can be discharged in a collected form.

[0028] The functioning of the adsorption module presented above as part of the arrangement according to the invention or the method according to the invention during nominal operation of the adsorption module typically comprises four process steps that the adsorption module successively undergoes during operation. In a first step, methanol evaporates in the phase change zone and is adsorbed in the activated carbon. Environmental heat is absorbed in the phase change zone, while the sorption zone releases useful heat. In a second process step, the temperature of the sorption zone and also of the phase change zone is increased. In a third process step, the methanol bound in the activated carbon is desorbed by supplying heat at a high temperature level and condensed in the phase change zone. The phase change zone releases useful heat. In a fourth process step, the temperatures of the sorption zone and phase change zone are reduced again.The four process steps described above are repeated cyclically.

[0029] Further important features and advantages of the invention emerge from the subclaims, from the drawings and from the associated description of the figures with reference to the drawings.

[0030] It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the combination specified in each case, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0031] Preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description, wherein the same reference numerals refer to the same or similar or functionally identical components.

[0032] They show, schematically: Fig. 1 an example of an arrangement according to the invention, Fig. 2 shows an example of the structure of the adsorption module of the arrangement of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 a flowchart illustrating the method according to the invention.

[0033] The Fig. 1 shows an example of an arrangement 1 according to the invention in a schematic, circuit diagram-like representation. The arrangement 1 comprises an adsorption module 2 with a working space 3 in which a working medium M, in the example methanol, is arranged.

[0034] The Fig. 2 illustrates, in a schematic representation, the structure of the adsorption module 2 by way of example. The working chamber 3 is accordingly surrounded by a housing 4. In addition to the working chamber 3, the adsorption module 2 comprises a first fluid path 5a through which a first temperature control fluid F1 can flow, and a second fluid path 5b that is fluidically separated from the first fluid path 5a and through which a second temperature control fluid F2 can flow.

[0035] As the representation of the Fig. 2, the housing 4 can be arranged between the two fluid paths 5a, 5b, and the working chamber 3 is fluidically separated from the two fluid paths 5a, 5b. In a phase change zone PZ of the working chamber 3 facing the first fluid path 5a, a rib structure 6 can be arranged, by means of which the phase change zone PZ or the working medium M is thermally connected to the first fluid path 5a or to the first fluid F1. In a sorption zone SZ facing the second fluid path 5b, activated carbon 7 is arranged, by means of which the sorption zone SZ or the working medium M is thermally connected to the second fluid path 5b or to the second temperature control fluid F2. In the phase change zone PZ, the working medium M evaporates and condenses, and in the sorption zone SZ, the working medium is adsorbed by the activated carbon 7 or desorbed from it.For every combination of phase change zone temperature and sorption zone temperature, which can be influenced by the two fluids F1, F2, a steady-state equilibrium results with regard to the amount of working medium M adsorbed in the activated carbon 7 and the fluid pressure in the working chamber 3. If there is a sufficient total mass of working medium M, the following basically applies: The temperature of the phase change zone PZ determines the fluid pressure in the working medium M. This corresponds to the saturation vapor pressure of the working medium, in the example the saturation vapor pressure of methanol. A high phase change zone temperature therefore corresponds to a high fluid pressure and vice versa. The amount or mass of working medium adsorbed in the activated carbon depends on the temperature of the activated carbon 7 and the fluid pressure in the working chamber 3. A low activated carbon temperature and a high pressure correspond to a large amount of working medium adsorbed in the activated carbon 7, and vice versa.

[0036] In the phase change zone PZ, the working medium M can evaporate and condense; in the sorption zone SZ, the working medium M can be adsorbed by or desorbed from the activated carbon 7. For each combination of phase change zone and sorption zone temperatures that can be influenced by the two fluids F1, F2, a steady-state equilibrium can arise with regard to the amount of working medium M adsorbed in the activated carbon 7 and the fluid pressure of the working medium M. The temperature of the phase change zone determines the fluid pressure in the working medium M. This corresponds to the saturation vapor pressure of the working medium M, in the example, the saturation vapor pressure of methanol. A high phase change zone temperature therefore corresponds to a high pressure and vice versa. The amount or mass of working medium adsorbed depends on the temperature of the activated carbon 7 and the fluid pressure of the working medium M in the working chamber 3.A low activated carbon temperature and a high pressure correspond to a large amount of working medium M adsorbed in the activated carbon, and vice versa. @ Author: The content of the last paragraph is identical to the second-to-last paragraph. Or does the duplication have a deeper meaning?

[0037] In the following we will return to the Fig. 1. Accordingly, the adsorption module 2 can have a heating device 31 for heating the working medium M in the working chamber 3. In the example, the heating device 31 comprises a through the adsorption module 2 and in Fig. 1 only partially shown heating circuit 32, which can be fluidically separated from the working chamber 3 and through which a heating fluid H can flow, which can be thermally coupled to the working medium M present in the working chamber 3. Thus, by heat transfer from the heating fluid H to the working medium M, evaporation heat can be supplied to the latter.

[0038] Furthermore, the arrangement 1 comprises, in addition to the adsorption module 2 described above, also a working medium receiving system 10, which has a condensation device 11. The condensation device 11 in turn comprises a heat exchanger 12, through which the working medium M and - fluidically separated from it, but thermally connected to it - a cooling fluid K can flow, so that in the heat exchanger 12 heat can be transferred from the working medium M to the cooling fluid K. The cooling fluid K can be guided through the heat exchanger 12 and in Fig. 1 only partially shown cooling circuit 18.

[0039] How Fig. 1, the condensation device 11 and thus the working medium receiving system 10 for receiving and condensing the working medium M from the adsorption module 2 communicates fluidically with the working chamber 3 of the adsorption module 2 via a first fluid line 16. A first valve device 17 is arranged in the fluid line 16, by means of which the fluidic connection between the working chamber 3 and the condensation device 11 can be interrupted. For this purpose, the valve device 17 can be adjusted between an open position, in which the fluid connection between the working chamber 3 and the condensation device 11 is established, and a closed position, in which the fluid connection is interrupted.

[0040] In addition, in the example scenario, the working medium receiving system 10 comprises a collecting container 13 that fluidically communicates with the condensation device 11 and surrounds a container interior 21 for collecting the working medium M condensed in the condensation device 11. As shown in the example, the condensation device 11 is fluidically arranged between the adsorption module 2 and the collecting container 13. The collecting container can have a drain line 29 with a drain valve 30 for discharging the working medium M collected in the container interior 21. The condensation device 11 can be fluidically connected to the collecting container 13 by means of a second fluid line 19. A second valve device 20 can be arranged in the second fluid line 19, by means of which the fluidic connection between the condensation device 11 and the collecting container 13 can be interrupted.For this purpose, the second valve device 20 can be adjusted in a manner analogous to the first valve device 17 between an open state, in which the fluid connection between the condensation device 11 is present, and a closed state, in which this fluid connection is interrupted. Furthermore, a viewing window 33 can be arranged in the second fluid line 19, through which an observer can determine whether liquid working medium M is flowing from the condensation device 11 into the collecting container 13 through the second fluid line 19.

[0041] The cooling circuit 18 explained above can also be designed as in Fig. 1, it can also be guided through the collecting container 13, fluidically separated from the container interior 21, in order to thus also cool the container interior 21 and the condensed working medium M collected in the container interior 21.

[0042] The working medium receiving system 10 further comprises an evacuation device 14 that fluidically communicates with the condensation device 11. The condensation device 11 can be evacuated by means of the evacuation device 14. For this purpose, the evacuation device 14 can have a vacuum pump 15, which sucks in the fluid present in the condensation device 11—typically air—but also the working medium present in the condensation device 11.

[0043] Both the collecting container 13 and the evacuation device 14 are expediently arranged downstream of the condensation device 11. The term "downstream" refers to a flow direction of the working medium M from the adsorption module 2 to the condensation device 11. The collecting container 13 and the evacuation device 14 are preferably connected fluidically in parallel to one another. For this purpose, the evacuation device 14 can be arranged in a third fluid line 22, which branches off from the second fluid line 19 at a branching point 23. A (third) valve device 24 can also be arranged in the third fluid line 22. The third valve device 24 can also be adjustable between an open state, in which a fluid connection is established between the evacuation device 14 or its vacuum pump 15 and the condensation device 11, and a closed state, in which this fluid connection is interrupted.The vacuum pump 15 can be supplemented by a cryogenic trap 25 arranged in the third fluid line 22 and upstream of the vacuum pump 15, which, like the vacuum pump 15, is part of the evacuation device 14.

[0044] Furthermore, a fluid line branch 26 can be provided in the first fluid line 16, via which the first fluid line 16 fluidically communicates with a nitrogen reservoir 27. A (fourth) valve device 28 can be arranged in the fluid branch 26. The fourth valve device 28 can also be adjustable between an open state, in which a fluid connection exists between the first fluid line 16 and the nitrogen reservoir 27, and a closed state, in which this fluid connection is interrupted.

[0045] According to the invention, the arrangement 1 explained above by way of example is set up or programmed to carry out the method according to the invention, which is described below - also by way of example - with reference to the flow chart of Fig. 3 is explained.

[0046] The method according to the invention comprises three mandatory steps a), b), and c). In a first step a), an adsorption module 2 is provided, which has a working chamber 3 in which the working medium, in this example methanol, is arranged. Furthermore, step a) also provides the previously described working medium intake system 10.

[0047] In a second measure b), the condensation device 11 of the working medium intake system is evacuated, i.e., the fluid pressure of the fluid present in the condensation device 11—typically air—is reduced in order to subsequently absorb working medium M from the working chamber 3 of the adsorption module 2. The evacuation of the condensation device 11 can be carried out using the evacuation device 14 or its vacuum pump 15 of the working medium intake system 10. If, at the start of the implementation of measure b), the working chamber 3 is fluidically connected to the condensation device 11 via the first fluid line 16, the valve device 17 is moved to the closed position to implement measure b), so that the fluid connection between the working chamber 3 and the condensation device 11 is eliminated. As a result, the evacuation device 14 only acts on the condensation device 11, but not on the working chamber 3.Alternatively, the first fluid line 16 between the working chamber 3 and the condensation device 11 can also be provided only after step b) has been carried out. In this variant, it is not necessary to provide a valve device in the first fluid line 16. The fourth valve device 28 can also be adjusted to the closed position. It is understood that to evacuate the condensation device 11, the second valve device 20 and the third valve device 24 must each be adjusted to their open positions.

[0048] In both variants explained above, after completion of the evacuation of the condensation device 11 according to measure b), in a third measure c) of the method, the working medium receiving system 10 is fluidically connected to the working chamber 3 of the adsorption module 2, so that, due to the pressure difference existing between the working chamber 3 and the working medium receiving system 10, vaporous working medium M flows from the working chamber 3 into the condensation device 11 and condenses in the condensation device. Said fluid connection can be achieved via the first fluid line 16 or by adjusting the valve device 17 present in the first fluid line 16 to the open position.To carry out measure c), the third valve device 24 can be adjusted to the closed position in order to prevent working medium M condensed in the condensation device 11 from reaching the vacuum pump 15 of the evacuation device 14 via the third fluid line 22.

[0049] During the implementation of measure c), the condensation device 11 is cooled in a first additional measure x) so that the condensation heat released by the condensing working medium M is absorbed. This measure x) intensifies the condensation process of the working medium M.

[0050] Likewise, during the implementation of measure c), the working chamber 3 of the adsorption module 2 is heated in a second additional measure y), so that evaporation heat is supplied to the working medium M through the heating. This measure intensifies the evaporation process of the working medium M. Measure c) and the two additional measures x) and y) can be implemented simultaneously.

[0051] The two additional measures x) and y) are expediently carried out at least until a temperature difference occurring between the working space 3 and the condensation device 11 has exceeded a predetermined threshold value.

[0052] Measure c) can be carried out at least until no more vaporous working medium M is condensed in the condensation device 11. This can be checked, for example, using the previously explained viewing window 33 provided in the second fluid line 19 between the condensation device 11 and the collecting container 13. Alternatively, measure c) can also be carried out until a pressure difference of the working medium M, i.e. the difference between the fluid pressure of the working medium M in the working chamber 3 and the fluid pressure of the working medium M in the condensation device 11, has fallen below a predetermined (pressure) threshold value.

[0053] By closing the third valve device 24 during the implementation of measure c), it can be prevented that the vacuum pump 15 is damaged or exposed to unnecessary wear by the working medium M coming from the condensation device 11.

[0054] After completion of measure c), in the course of a third additional measure z), which is preferably carried out directly after measure c), further working medium M is conveyed from the working chamber 3 by means of the evacuation device 14 of the working medium receiving system 10 or by means of its vacuum pump 15 via the condensation device 11.

[0055] This further evacuates the working chamber 3. To carry out measure z), the cryogenic trap 25 can be filled with liquid nitrogen N fbe filled. To carry out measure z), the first valve device 17, the second valve device 20 and the third valve device 24 must each be moved to the open position. After completion of measure z), the evacuation device 14 can be fluidically separated from the working chamber 3 again by moving the third valve device 24 to the closed position. Likewise, the first valve device 17 can be moved back to its closed position. Alternatively, the working chamber 3 of the adsorption device 2 can be brought to ambient pressure by moving the first valve device 17 and the fourth valve device 28 to their open positions. In this way, nitrogen N can pass from the nitrogen reservoir 27 into the working chamber 3.

[0056] In a variation of the example, as in Fig.3, the three measures b), c) and z) together form a block of measures M, which is repeated at least once, i.e. is carried out at least twice in succession.

Claims

[1] Method for removing a working medium (M) from an adsorption module (2), comprising the following measures: a) providing an adsorption module (2) having a working space (3) in which a working medium (M), in particular methanol, is arranged, and providing a working medium receiving system (10) having a condensation device (11) for receiving and condensing the working medium (M) from the adsorption module (2), b) reducing the fluid pressure in the condensation device (11), in particular evacuating the condensation device (11), so that a negative pressure is built up in the condensation device (11) relative to the working space (3), c) Fluidically connecting the evacuated condensation device (11) of the working medium receiving system (10) to the working space (3) of the adsorption module (1), so that due to the pressure difference existing between the working space (3) and the working medium receiving system (10), vaporous working medium (M) flows from the working space (3) into the condensation device (11) and condenses there. [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by that at least during the implementation of measure c) in an additional measure x) the condensation device (11) is cooled so that condensation heat released by the condensing working medium (M) is absorbed by it. [3] Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that at least during the implementation of measure c) in an additional measure y) the working space (3) of the adsorption module (2) is heated, so that evaporation heat is supplied to the working medium (M) by the heating. [4] Method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized by that at least one of the two additional measures x) and y), preferably both additional measures x) and y), particularly preferably simultaneously, is / are carried out at least until a temperature difference occurring between the working space (3) and the condensation device (11) has exceeded a predetermined threshold value. [5] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that after carrying out measure c), in an additional measure z) the working space (3) is fluidically connected via the condensation device (11) to an evacuation device (14), which preferably has a vacuum pump (15), and is evacuated by conveying working medium (M) from the working space (3). [6] Method according to claim 5, characterized bythat measure z) is carried out after measure c), preferably after measure z) and that measures b), c) and z) are repeated as a block of measures M) at least once, preferably several times. [7] Arrangement (1), - with an adsorption module (2) having a working space (3) in which a working medium (M) is or can be arranged, - with a working medium receiving system (10) having a condensation device (11) which is fluidly connected to the working space (3) of the adsorption module (2) for receiving and condensing the working medium from the adsorption module (2) communicates, - wherein the arrangement (1) is arranged to carry out the method according to one of the preceding claims. [8] Arrangement according to claim 7, characterized bythat the working medium receiving system (10) comprises an evacuation device (14) which communicates fluidically with the condensation device (11) and which preferably has a vacuum pump (15), by means of which the condensation device (11) of the working medium receiving system (10) and / or the working space (3) of the adsorption module (2) can be at least partially evacuated. [9] Arrangement according to claim 7 or 8, characterized by that the condensation device (11) comprises a heat exchanger (12) through which a cooling fluid (K) can flow, fluidically separated from and thermally connected to the working medium (M), so that heat can be transferred, in particular is transferred, from the working medium (M) to the cooling fluid (K) in the heat exchanger (12). [10] Arrangement according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized bythat the arrangement (1), in particular the adsorption module (2), comprises a heating device (31) for supplying heating or evaporation heat to the working medium (M) present in the working space (3). [11] Arrangement according to one of claims 7 to 10, characterized by that the working medium receiving system (10) comprises a collecting container (13) fluidically communicating with the condensation device (11) for collecting the working medium (M) condensed in the condensation device (11).

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