Compressed-air generation device and compressed-air generation method

Abstract

To eliminate a bypass cooler and an ejector for a regeneration zone outlet flow passage in a compressed-air generation device including a suction type dryer.SOLUTION: A compressed-air generation device 1 includes: a compressor unit 2 including a plurality of compressors 21A, 21B disposed at multiple stages; and a suction type dryer 3. Only an expansion mechanism 60 is provided at a regeneration zone outlet flow passage 54 which discharges compressed-air which has passed through a regeneration zone 41 of the suction type dryer 3 from the suction type dryer 3. The regeneration zone outlet flow passage 54 is connected to a passage in the compressor unit 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a compressed air generating device and a compressed air generating method.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a compressed air generating device including a compressor and an adsorption dryer that adsorbs and dries moisture from the compressed air discharged from the compressor. The adsorption dryer includes an adsorption rotor that rotates within a casing. The interior of the casing is partitioned into a treatment zone, a regeneration zone, and a cooling zone, each extending in the rotational axis direction of the adsorption rotor.

[0003] The compressed air discharged from the compressor is supplied to the treatment zone through a treatment zone inlet passage provided with an aftercooler. The compressed air is adsorbed (dehumidified) of moisture by the portion of the adsorption rotor located in the treatment zone and then supplied to the demand side.

[0004] A part of the compressed air before passing through the aftercooler of the treatment zone inlet passage, that is, high-temperature compressed air with a relatively low relative humidity, is supplied to the regeneration zone. The moisture adsorbed on the portion of the adsorption rotor located in the regeneration zone is released into the compressed air. Thereby, the moisture is removed from the adsorption rotor and it is regenerated.

[0005] A part of the compressed air after passing through the aftercooler of the treatment zone inlet passage and before being supplied to the treatment zone is supplied as a cooling gas to the cooling zone. Thereby, the adsorption medium of the portion of the adsorption rotor located in the cooling zone is cooled and the drying ability is restored.

[0006] The compressed air that has passed through the regeneration zone is returned through the regeneration zone outlet flow path to a position downstream of the aftercooler in the processing zone inlet flow path. A bypass cooler is provided in the regeneration zone outlet flow path. An ejector is provided at the junction where the regeneration zone outlet flow path of the processing zone inlet flow path merges. The ejector increases the flow velocity of the compressed air flowing through the processing zone inlet flow path toward the processing zone and reduces the pressure, thereby drawing the compressed air in the regeneration zone outlet flow path into the processing zone inlet flow path.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0007]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0008] The ejector provided in the discharge flow path may not be able to draw in compressed air from the bypass flow path depending on the dimensional tolerances of the components, which may affect the dew point performance of the adsorption dryer and lacks reliability.

[0009] In addition, since the bypass cooler is generally water-cooled and large-sized, there are limitations on the installation location.

[0010] An object of the present invention is to eliminate a bypass cooler and an ejector for a regeneration zone outlet flow path that returns compressed air that has passed through the regeneration zone of an adsorption dryer to a processing zone inlet flow path in a compressed air generation device equipped with an adsorption dryer.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0011] A first aspect of the present invention includes a compressor unit including a plurality of compressors arranged in multiple stages that generate compressed air respectively, and a first cooler that cools the compressed air discharged from the last-stage compressor among the plurality of compressors; a rotary adsorption rotor formed in a columnar shape and having a plurality of rotor flow paths penetrating in the central axis direction, and an adsorption medium provided on the wall surface constituting each of the plurality of rotor flow paths; an adsorption dryer formed in a columnar shape and rotatably supporting the adsorption rotor accommodated concentrically therein, and a casing internally partitioned around the central axis into a processing zone, a regeneration zone, and a cooling zone that each extend in the central axis direction; a processing zone inlet flow path that supplies the compressed air discharged from the last-stage compressor and passing through the first cooler to the processing zone; a processing zone outlet flow path that supplies the compressed air passing through the processing zone to the demand side; a regeneration zone inlet flow path that supplies a part of the compressed air discharged from the last-stage compressor among the plurality of compressors of the compressor unit and before passing through the first cooler to the regeneration zone; a regeneration zone outlet flow path that discharges the compressed air passing through the regeneration zone from the adsorption dryer; a cooling zone inlet flow path that supplies a part of the compressed air passing through the processing zone to the cooling zone; and a cooling zone outlet flow path that discharges the compressed air passing through the cooling zone from the adsorption dryer. An expansion mechanism is provided only in the regeneration zone outlet flow path, and the regeneration zone outlet flow path is connected to a flow path in the compressor unit, thereby providing a compressed air generation device.

[0012] Since the compressed air flowing through the regeneration zone outlet passage is expanded by the expansion mechanism, the regeneration zone outlet passage can be connected to the passage in the compressor unit, that is, the compressed air that has passed through the regeneration zone can be returned into the compressor unit. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide an ejector for returning the compressed air in the regeneration zone outlet passage to the treatment zone inlet passage in the treatment zone inlet passage. Further, since the temperature of the compressed air returning into the compressor unit through the regeneration zone outlet passage decreases when it is expanded by the expansion mechanism, it is not necessary to provide a bypass cooler in the regeneration zone outlet passage. Thus, according to the compressed air generation device of this aspect, the bypass cooler and the ejector for the regeneration zone outlet passage can be eliminated.

[0013] The regeneration zone outlet passage may be connected to a connection passage connecting the N-th stage compressor and the (N + 1)-th stage compressor.

[0014] The expansion mechanism may be an expansion valve.

[0015] The compressor unit further includes a second cooler provided in the connection passage, and the regeneration zone outlet passage may be connected between the N-th stage compressor in the connection passage and the second cooler.

[0016] A cooling jacket is provided in at least one casing of the plurality of compressors, and the cooling jacket may be interposed in the regeneration zone outlet passage.

[0017] Equipment in the compressor unit may be interposed in the regeneration zone outlet passage.

[0018] The expansion mechanism may be an expander provided in the compressor unit.

[0019] The expander may further include a generator connected thereto, and the electric power generated by the generator may be supplied to a motor that drives at least one of the plurality of compressors.

[0020] The output shaft of the expander and the output shaft of a motor that drives at least one of the plurality of compressors may be common.

[0021] A second aspect of the present invention includes a compressor unit including a plurality of compressors arranged in multiple stages that each generate compressed air, and a first cooler that cools the compressed air discharged from the last-stage compressor among the plurality of compressors; a rotary adsorption rotor that is formed in a cylindrical shape and has a plurality of rotor flow paths penetrating in the central axis direction, and an adsorption medium is provided on the wall surface constituting each of the plurality of rotor flow paths; an adsorption dryer including a casing that is formed in a cylindrical shape, rotatably supports the adsorption rotor housed concentrically therein, and is internally partitioned around the central axis into a processing zone, a regeneration zone, and a cooling zone extending in the central axis direction; a processing zone inlet passage that supplies the compressed air discharged from the last-stage compressor and passed through the first cooler to the processing zone; a processing zone outlet passage that supplies the compressed air that has passed through the processing zone to the demand side; a regeneration zone inlet passage that supplies a part of the compressed air discharged from the last-stage compressor among the plurality of compressors of the compressor unit and before passing through the first cooler to the regeneration zone; a regeneration zone outlet passage that discharges the compressed air that has passed through the regeneration zone from the adsorption dryer; a cooling zone inlet passage that supplies a part of the compressed air that has passed through the processing zone to the cooling zone; and a cooling zone outlet passage that discharges the compressed air that has passed through the cooling zone from the adsorption dryer, and provides a compressed air generation method in which the compressed air is expanded in the regeneration zone outlet passage and returned to the flow path in the compressor unit.

Advantages of the Invention

[0022] According to the compressed air generation device including the adsorption dryer according to the present invention, a bypass cooler and an ejector for the regeneration zone outlet passage that returns the compressed air that has passed through the regeneration zone of the adsorption dryer to the processing zone inlet passage can be eliminated.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0024] Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0025] (First Embodiment) Referring to FIG. 1, the compressed air generator 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a compressor unit 2, an adsorption dryer 3, and a flow path group 5.

[0026] The compressor unit 2 includes two oil-free compressors arranged in two stages that generate compressed air, namely a low-pressure stage compressor 21A and a high-pressure stage compressor 21B. The low-pressure stage compressor 21A and the high-pressure stage compressor 21B each include a suction port 21a and a discharge port 21b, and are driven by a motor 23 powered by an inverter 22. In the present embodiment, both the low-pressure stage compressor 21A and the high-pressure stage compressor 21B are screw compressors having male and female rotors.

[0027] The discharge port 21b of the low-pressure stage compressor 21A and the suction port 21a of the high-pressure stage compressor 21B are connected by a connecting flow path 24. An intercooler (second cooler) 25 is provided in the connecting flow path 24. A processing zone inlet flow path 51, which will be described in detail later, is connected to the discharge port 21b of the high-pressure stage compressor 21B, and an aftercooler (first cooler) 26 is provided in the processing zone inlet flow path 51.

[0028] Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4 together, the adsorption dryer 3 has a rotary adsorption rotor 31 and a casing 32 that is formed in a cylindrical shape and rotatably supports the adsorption rotor 31 accommodated concentrically. The adsorption dryer 3 of the present embodiment is a vertical dryer in which the central axis CA of the adsorption rotor 31 extends in the vertical direction.

[0029] The adsorption rotor 31 is formed in a columnar shape and has a large number of fine rotor flow paths 31a (see FIG. 3) penetrating in the axial direction, and an adsorption medium 31b (see FIG. 3) is provided on the wall surface constituting the rotor flow path 31a. For example, the adsorption rotor 31 can be formed of a honeycomb structure material obtained by chemically synthesizing an adsorption medium 31b such as silica gel on ceramics. The adsorption rotor 31 is supported by a shaft 34 coupled to the output shaft of a motor 33 (see FIG. 1) and is rotationally driven in the direction indicated by an arrow RD in FIG. 3 by the motor 33.

[0030] The casing 32 includes a cylindrical portion 32a having an inner diameter substantially the same as the outer diameter of the adsorption rotor 31, and a lid portion 32b and a bottom portion 32c that close the upper and lower portions of the cylindrical portion 32a, respectively. The lid portion 32b forms an upper closed space 35 between the lid portion 32b and the upper end surface of the adsorption rotor 31, and the bottom portion 14c forms a lower closed space 36 between the bottom portion 14c and the lower end surface of the adsorption rotor 11.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 3, inside the lid portion 32b, three partition walls 32d, 32e, 32f are provided that partition the upper closed space 35 around the central axis CA. By these partition walls 32d to 32f, the upper closed space 35 is partitioned into three closed spaces 35a, 35b, 35c arranged in order along the rotational direction RD. Referring to FIG. 4, similar to the lid portion 32b, inside the bottom portion 32c, three partition walls 32g, 32h, 32i are provided that extend in the radial direction and partition the lower closed space 36 around the central axis CA. By these partition walls 32g to 32i, the lower closed space 36 is partitioned into three closed spaces 36a, 36b, 36c arranged in order along the rotational direction RD. The closed spaces 36a to 36c are respectively located in the same circumferential range around the central axis CA with respect to the closed spaces 35a to 36c.

[0032] Inside the casing 32, three zones, namely a processing zone 41, a regeneration zone 42, and a cooling zone 43, are provided by the three spaces 35a to 35c of the upper closed space 35, the three spaces 36a to 36c of the lower closed space 36, and the rotor flow path 31a therebetween. The processing zone 41 is constituted by the upper closed space 35a, the lower closed space 36a, and a plurality of rotor flow paths 31a located therebetween. Also, the regeneration zone 42 is constituted by the upper closed space 35b, the lower closed space 36b, and a plurality of rotor flow paths 31a located therebetween. Further, the cooling zone 43 is constituted by the upper closed space 35c, the lower closed space 36c, and a plurality of rotor flow paths 31a located therebetween.

[0033] Referring to FIG. 2, connection ports 32j, 32k, 32l that communicate with the processing zone 41, the regeneration zone 42, and the cooling zone 43 respectively are provided in the lid portion 32b. Similarly, connection ports 32m, 32n, 32o that communicate with the processing zone 41, the regeneration zone 42, and the cooling zone 43 respectively are provided in the bottom portion 32c.

[0034] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the flow path group 5 includes a processing zone inlet flow path 51, a processing zone outlet flow path 52, a regeneration zone inlet flow path 53, a regeneration zone outlet flow path 54, a cooling zone inlet flow path 55, and a cooling zone outlet flow path 56.

[0035] One end of the processing zone inlet flow path 51 is connected to the discharge port 21b of the high-pressure stage compressor 21B, and the other end is connected to the connection port 32m of the adsorption dryer 3, and thus to the closed space 36a of the processing zone 41. An aftercooler 26 is provided in the processing zone inlet flow path 51.

[0036] One end of the processing zone outlet flow path 52 is connected to the connection port 32j of the adsorption dryer 3, and thus to the closed space 35a of the processing zone 41, and the other end is connected to the demand side (not shown). A pressure gauge 62A is provided in the processing zone outlet flow path 52.

[0037] One end of the regeneration zone inlet flow path 53 is connected to a portion between the discharge port 21b of the high-pressure stage compressor 21B and the aftercooler 26 in the processing zone inlet flow path 51, and the other end is connected to the connection port 32k of the adsorption dryer 3, and thus to the closed space 35b of the regeneration zone 42. A regulating valve 61 and a pressure gauge 62B are provided in the regeneration zone inlet flow path 53.

[0038] One end of the regeneration zone outlet flow path 54 is connected to the connection port 32n of the adsorption dryer 3, and thus to the closed space 36b of the regeneration zone 42, and the other end is connected to a portion between the discharge port 21b of the low-pressure stage compressor 21A and the intercooler 25 in the connection flow path 24. An expansion valve (expansion mechanism) 60 is provided in the regeneration zone outlet flow path 54.

[0039] One end of the cooling zone inlet flow path 55 is connected to the processing zone outlet flow path 52, and the other end is connected to the connection port 32l of the adsorption dryer 3, and thus to the closed space 35c of the cooling zone 43.

[0040] The cooling zone outlet passage 56 has one end connected to the connection port 32o of the adsorption dryer 3, and thus to the closed space 36c of the cooling zone 43, and the other end connected to a portion between the connection port 32n of the adsorption dryer and the expansion valve 60 in the regeneration zone outlet passage 54.

[0041] Hereinafter, the operation during the operation of the compressed air generating device 1 will be described.

[0042] The low-pressure stage compressor 21A compresses the air sucked from the suction port 21a and discharges it as compressed air from the discharge port 21b to the connection passage 24. The compressed air discharged into the connection passage 24 is cooled by the intercooler 25 and then sucked into the high-pressure stage compressor 21B from the suction port 21a and further compressed, and is discharged from the discharge port 21b of the high-pressure stage compressor 21B to the processing zone inlet passage 51. Through the processing zone inlet passage 51, the compressed air discharged from the high-pressure stage compressor 21B and cooled by the aftercooler 26 is supplied to the processing zone 41 of the adsorption dryer 3. Moisture in the compressed air is adsorbed (dehumidified) by the portion of the adsorption rotor 31 located in the processing zone 41. The compressed air that has passed through the processing zone 41 is supplied to the demand side through the processing zone outlet passage 52.

[0043] Through the regeneration zone inlet passage 53, a part of the compressed air discharged from the high-pressure stage compressor 21B before passing through the aftercooler 26, that is, the high-temperature compressed air with a relatively low relative humidity, is supplied to the regeneration zone 42 of the adsorption dryer 3. The moisture adsorbed on the portion of the adsorption rotor 31 located in the regeneration zone 42 is released to the supplied compressed air. Thereby, moisture is removed from the adsorption rotor 31 and it is regenerated. The compressed air that has passed through the regeneration zone 42 flows through the regeneration zone outlet passage 54 and heads towards the connection passage 24, more specifically, a portion between the discharge port 21b of the low-pressure stage compressor 21A and the intercooler 25 in the connection passage 24. Since the compressed air flowing through the regeneration zone outlet passage 54 expands when passing through the expansion valve 60, it can merge with the compressed air discharged from the discharge port 21b of the low-pressure compressor 21A in the connection passage 24.

[0044] Through the cooling zone inlet passage 55, part of the air that has passed through the processing zone 41 is supplied to the cooling zone 43 of the adsorption dryer 3. As a result, the adsorption medium of the part of the adsorption rotor 31 located in the cooling zone 43 is cooled, and the drying capacity is restored. The compressed air that has passed through the cooling zone 43 is sent to the regeneration air outlet passage 54 through the cooling zone outlet passage 56.

[0045] In the compressed air generation device 1 of the present embodiment, since the compressed air flowing through the regeneration zone outlet passage 54 is expanded by the expansion valve 60, the regeneration zone outlet passage 54 can be connected to the connection passage 24 in the compressor unit 2, that is, the compressed air that has passed through the regeneration zone 42 of the adsorption dryer 3 can be returned into the compressor unit 2. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide an ejector for returning the compressed air in the regeneration zone outlet passage 54 to the processing zone inlet passage 51 in the processing zone inlet passage 51. Further, since the temperature of the compressed air returning into the compressor unit 2 through the regeneration zone outlet passage 54 decreases when it is expanded by the expansion valve 60, it is not necessary to provide a bypass cooler in the regeneration zone outlet passage 54. Thus, according to the compressed air generation device 1 of the present embodiment, the bypass cooler and the ejector for the regeneration zone outlet passage 54 can be eliminated.

[0046] When the dew point of the compressed air supplied to the demand side drops, the throttle degree of the regulating valve 61 is adjusted so that the pressure P1 detected by the pressure gauge 62A provided in the process air outlet passage 52 becomes larger than the pressure P2 detected by the pressure gauge 62B provided in the regeneration air inlet passage 53. In the compressed air generation device 1 of the present embodiment, as described above, the bypass cooler and the ejector for the regeneration zone outlet passage 54 can be eliminated, and since there is no pressure loss caused by these, the adjustment range of the throttle degree of the regulating valve 61 can be ensured, and it is easy to perform the adjustment to set the pressure P1 larger than the pressure P2.

[0047] In the modification of the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 5, one end of the regeneration zone outlet passage 54 is connected to the connection port 32n of the adsorption dryer 3, and thus to the closed space 36b of the regeneration zone 42, and the other end is connected to a portion between the intercooler 25 and the suction port 21a of the high-pressure stage compressor 21B in the connection passage 24.

[0048] Hereinafter, other embodiments of the present invention will be described. Points not particularly mentioned in these embodiments are the same as those in the first embodiment. Also, in the drawings of these embodiments, the same or similar elements as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0049] (Second Embodiment) In the compressed air generation device 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 6, cooling jackets 21e are provided on the casings 21c of the low-pressure stage compressor 21A and the high-pressure stage compressor 21B.

[0050] The regeneration zone outlet passage 54 includes a main passage 54a having one end connected to the connection port 32n of the adsorption dryer 3, and thus to the closed space 36b of the regeneration zone 42, and the other end connected to a portion between the discharge port 21b of the low-pressure stage compressor 21A and the intercooler 25 in the connection passage 24. An expansion valve 60 is provided in the main passage 54a. Further, the cooling jacket 21e of the low-pressure stage compressor 21A is interposed in the main passage 54a.

[0051] The regeneration zone outlet passage 54 includes a branch passage 54b that branches from the main passage 54a between the expansion valve 60 and the cooling jacket 21e of the low-pressure stage compressor 21A and rejoins the main passage 54a again between the low-pressure stage compressor 21A and the connection passage 24. The cooling jacket 21e of the high-pressure stage compressor 21B is interposed in the branch passage 54b.

[0052] The compressed air whose temperature has been lowered by expansion by the expansion valve 60 passes through the cooling jackets of the low-pressure stage compressor 21A and the high-pressure stage compressor 21B before flowing into the connection passage 24. That is, the low-pressure stage compressor 21A and the high-pressure stage compressor 21B can be cooled by the compressed air whose temperature has been lowered by expansion.

[0053] (Third Embodiment) In the compressed air generation device 1 according to the third embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 7, equipment 63 within the compressor unit 1 is interposed downstream of the expansion valve 60 in the regeneration zone outlet flow path 54. The equipment 63 is, for example, a cooler, an air end, etc., and the compressed air whose temperature has decreased by expanding by the expansion valve 60 is utilized for cooling in these equipment.

[0054] (Fourth Embodiment) In the compressed air generation device 1 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 8, an expansion valve 60 (see FIG. 1 for example) is not provided in the regeneration zone outlet flow path 54. In this embodiment, instead of the expansion valve 60, an expander (expansion mechanism) 70 is interposed in the regeneration zone outlet flow path 54. Specifically, the regeneration zone outlet flow path 54 in this embodiment includes a first flow path 54c having one end connected to the connection port 32n of the adsorption dryer 3, and thus to the closed space 36b of the regeneration zone 42, and the other end connected to the air supply port 70a of the expansion valve 70, and a second flow path 54d having one end connected to the exhaust port 70b of the expander 70, and the other end connected to a portion between the discharge port 21b of the low-pressure stage compressor 21A and the intercooler 25 in the connection flow path 24.

[0055] A generator 71 is connected to the expander 70. In this embodiment, the expander 70 is a screw-type expander.

[0056] Since the compressed air flowing through the regeneration zone outlet flow path 54 expands in the expander 70, it can merge with the compressed air discharged from the discharge port 21b of the low-pressure compressor 21A in the connection flow path 24. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide an ejector for returning the compressed air in the regeneration zone outlet flow path 54 to the processing zone inlet flow path 51 in the processing zone inlet flow path 51. Also, since the temperature of the compressed air returning into the compressor unit 2 through the regeneration zone outlet flow path 54 decreases when expanding by the expander 70, it is not necessary to provide a bypass cooler in the regeneration zone outlet flow path 54.

[0057] The electric power generated by the generator 71 rotationally driven by the expander 70 is supplied to one or both of the inverters 22 of the low-pressure stage compressor 21A and the high-pressure stage compressor 21B. That is, the electric power generated by the expander 70 is used as part of the operating power of the compressor unit 2. The electric power generated by the generator 71 rotationally driven by the expander 70 may be utilized as the electric power for auxiliary devices such as an oil pump (not shown) that discharges lubricating oil and a fan (not shown), or as the control power for a controller (not shown) or the like.

[0058] (Fifth Embodiment) In the compressed air generation device 1 according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 9, similar to the fourth embodiment, instead of providing the expansion valve 60 (see, for example, FIG. 1) in the regeneration zone outlet flow path 54, an expander (expansion mechanism) 70 is interposed between the regeneration zone outlet flow path 54, specifically, between the first flow path 54c and the second flow path 54d.

[0059] In the present embodiment, the output shaft 70c of the expander 70 is common with the output shaft 23a of the motor 23 that drives the low-pressure stage compressor 21A. Therefore, the rotational driving force generated by the expander 70 is transmitted to the low-pressure stage compressor 21A through the motor 23.

[0060] The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications are possible. For example, the compressor unit 2 may be configured by arranging a plurality of three or more compressors in multiple stages. In this case, the regeneration zone outlet flow path 54 is connected to a connection flow path 24 that connects the Nth stage (for example, the second stage) compressor and the N + 1th stage (for example, the third stage) compressor. Further, the compressor included in the compressor unit 2 is not limited to a screw compressor. Furthermore, the compressor included in the compressor unit 2 is not limited to a compressor having an inverter 22. For example, it may be a compressor to which power is not supplied to the motor 23 by the inverter 22. Furthermore, although the embodiment in which the low-pressure stage compressor 21A and the high-pressure stage compressor 21B are each driven by different motors 23 has been described, the low-pressure stage compressor 21A and the high-pressure stage compressor 21B may be driven by the same one motor 23.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0061] 1 Compressed air generating device 2 Compressor unit 21A Low-pressure stage compressor 21B High-pressure stage compressor 21a Suction port 21b Discharge port 21c Casing 21d Cooling jacket 22 Inverter 23 Motor 23a Output shaft 24 Connecting flow path 25 Intercooler 26 Aftercooler 3 Adsorption dryer 31 Adsorption rotor 31a Rotor flow path 31b Adsorbent medium 32 Casing 32a Cylindrical part 32b Cover part 32d, 32e, 32f Partition walls 32j, 32k, 32l Connection ports 32c Bottom part 32g, 32h, 32i Partition walls 32m, 32n, 32o Connection ports 33 Motor 34 Shaft 35 Upper closed space 35a~35c Closed spaces 36 Lower closed space 36a~36c Closed spaces 37a~37c Partition walls 38a~38c Partition walls 41 Treatment zone 42 Regeneration zone 43 Cooling zone 5 Flow path group 51 Treatment zone inlet flow path 52 Treatment zone outlet flow path 53 Regeneration zone inlet flow path 54 Regeneration zone outlet flow path 54a Main flow path 54b Branch flow path 54c First flow path 54d Second flow path 55 Cooling zone inlet flow path 56 Cooling zone outlet flow path 60 Expansion valve 61 Control valve 62A, 62B Pressure gauges 63 Equipment within the compressor unit 70 Expander 70a Air inlet 70b Exhaust port 71 Generator CA Central axis RD Rotation direction

Claims

1. A compressor unit including a plurality of compressors arranged in multiple stages that each generate compressed air, and a first cooler that cools the compressed air discharged from the last-stage compressor among the plurality of compressors; A rotary adsorption rotor formed in a cylindrical shape and having a plurality of rotor flow paths penetrating in the central axis direction, with an adsorption medium provided on the wall surface constituting each of the plurality of rotor flow paths, and a casing formed in a cylindrical shape, rotatably supporting the adsorption rotor housed concentrically therein, and having its interior partitioned around the central axis into a processing zone, a regeneration zone, and a cooling zone; an adsorption dryer; A processing zone inlet flow path that supplies the compressed air discharged from the last-stage compressor and passing through the first cooler to the processing zone; A processing zone outlet flow path that supplies the compressed air that has passed through the processing zone to the demand side; A regeneration zone inlet flow path that supplies a part of the compressed air discharged from the last-stage compressor among the plurality of compressors of the compressor unit and before passing through the first cooler to the regeneration zone; A regeneration zone outlet flow path that discharges the compressed air that has passed through the regeneration zone from the adsorption dryer; A cooling zone inlet flow path that supplies a part of the compressed air that has passed through the processing zone to the cooling zone; A cooling zone outlet flow path that discharges the compressed air that has passed through the cooling zone from the adsorption dryer and comprising; only an expansion mechanism is provided in the regeneration zone outlet flow path, and the regeneration zone outlet flow path is connected to a flow path within the compressor unit. A compressed air generation device.

2. The compressed air generation device according to claim 1, wherein the regeneration zone outlet flow path is connected to a connection flow path connecting the Nth-stage compressor and the (N + 1)th-stage compressor.

3. The compressed air generation device according to claim 2, wherein the expansion mechanism is an expansion valve.

4. The compressor unit further includes a second cooler provided in the connection flow path, and the regeneration zone outlet flow path is connected between the Nth-stage compressor of the connection flow path and the second cooler. The compressed air generation device according to claim 3.

5. At least one casing of the plurality of compressors is provided with a cooling jacket, and the cooling jacket is interposed in the regeneration zone outlet flow path. The compressed air generation device according to claim 3.

6. The compressed air generating device according to claim 3, wherein equipment in the compressor unit is interposed in the regeneration zone outlet flow path.

7. The compressed air generating device according to claim 2, wherein the expansion mechanism is an expander provided in the compressor unit.

8. The compressed air generating device according to claim 7, further comprising a generator connected to the expander, and power generated by the generator is supplied to a motor that drives at least one of the plurality of compressors.

9. The compressed air generating device according to claim 7, wherein an output shaft of the expander and an output shaft of a motor that drives at least one of the plurality of compressors are common.

10. A compressor unit including a plurality of compressors arranged in multiple stages to generate compressed air respectively, and a first cooler that cools the compressed air discharged from the last-stage compressor among the plurality of compressors, A rotary adsorption rotor formed in a cylindrical shape and having a plurality of rotor flow paths penetrating in the central axis direction, and an adsorption medium provided on the wall surface constituting each of the plurality of rotor flow paths; and a casing formed in a cylindrical shape and rotatably supporting the adsorption rotor accommodated concentrically therein, and having its interior partitioned around the central axis into a processing zone, a regeneration zone, and a cooling zone respectively, an adsorption dryer, A processing zone inlet flow path that supplies the compressed air discharged from the last-stage compressor and passed through the first cooler to the processing zone, A processing zone outlet flow path that supplies the compressed air that has passed through the processing zone to the demand side, A regeneration zone inlet flow path that supplies a part of the compressed air discharged from the last-stage compressor of the plurality of compressors in the compressor unit and before passing through the first cooler to the regeneration zone, A regeneration zone outlet flow path that discharges the compressed air that has passed through the regeneration zone from the adsorption dryer, A cooling zone inlet flow path that supplies a part of the compressed air that has passed through the processing zone to the cooling zone, A cooling zone outlet flow path that discharges the compressed air that has passed through the cooling zone from the adsorption dryer is provided, A compressed air generation method of expanding the compressed air in the regeneration zone outlet flow path and returning it to the flow path in the compressor unit.

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