Air-cooled compressor installation with integrated dryer

Abstract

An air-cooled compressor installation with a housing (10) in which a motor (4) and a compressor element (5) are arranged, and an integrated drying device (2) with a dryer housing (H) with an interior space (R) and at least one air-cooled heat exchanger (11a, 11b), the drying device (2) being arranged adjacent to said motor (4), the heat exchangers (11a, 11b) connecting via a first cooling channel (14a) to a transverse cooling channel (K), the space (R) being connected via a transverse cooling channel (Y) to an outlet of a first cooling air flow (7), the transverse cooling channel (Y) extending through the transverse cooling channel (K).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an air-cooled compressor installation with an integral dryer.

[0002] More specifically, the present invention relates to an air-cooled compressor installation providing a housing with at least one air-cooled heat exchanger, and further providing an integral drying device also disposed in said housing.

[0003] In a conventional air-cooled compressor installation 1 with an integrated dryer as shown diagrammatically in FIG. 1, the drying device 2 is configured, for example, in the form of a desiccant dryer with a rotatable drum provided with a desiccant material, which is placed in a container 3 and disposed above a motor 4 driving a compressor element 5.

[0004] As is known, when using such a desiccant dryer with a rotatable drum, a warm regeneration gas is passed through the desiccant material in order to regenerate the desiccant material after extracting moisture from the compressed gas coming from the compressor element 5.

[0005] After the regeneration gas has passed through the regeneration zone of vessel 3, it is typically cooled in an air-cooled regeneration cooler 6 before being combined with the compressed gas to be dried from compressor element 5 and passed through a drying zone to vessel 3. A first cooling air stream 7 used as a cooling medium for regeneration cooler 6 is discharged, in known embodiments of compressor installation 1, typically by exhausting to the atmosphere via an outlet 8 in the roof 9 of a housing 10 of the compressor installation 1.

[0006] At least a portion of the heat of compression generated during compression of the gas compressed in the compressor elements 5 of the compressor installation 1 is removed through an air-cooled heat exchanger 11, which may typically be an aftercooler, but in the case of a multi-stage compressor with several compressor elements it can also be an intercooler.

[0007] A second cooling air flow 12, which serves as a cooling medium for cooling the compressed gas passing through the primary circuit of the heat exchanger 11, is drawn into the known compressor installation 1 through an suction opening at the top of a side wall 13 of the housing 10, through an internal cooling channel 14, and flows first downwards along one side of the wall 15, then through the secondary circuit of said heat exchanger 11, and then according to arrow C, along the other side of the wall 15, out of the housing 10, through a discharge opening in the roof 9 and discharged by a fan 16 into the atmosphere. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] A disadvantage of the existing compressor installation as shown in FIG. 1 is that the drying device occupies a relatively large space in the central location within the housing 10, which space cannot be used in any other way, and because the drying device 2 is located high above the motor 4, the center of gravity of the compressor installation 1 is located relatively high, making it somewhat difficult to transport the compressor installation 1 for stability reasons. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The present invention aims at an air-cooled compressor installation with an integrated drying device, having an alternative configuration that allows a low positioning of the center of gravity and therefore good stability during transportation of the compressor installation. The present invention aims at providing space within the housing to accommodate additional components, such as, alternatively or additionally, a sound damper.

[0010] For this purpose, the invention relates to an air-cooled compressor installation with an integrated drying device as claimed in claim 1.

[0011] In order to better demonstrate the characteristics of the present invention, some preferred embodiments of an air-cooled compressor installation according to the invention with an integrated drying device are described below, by way of example and without any limiting characteristics, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a conventional air-cooled compressor installation with an integrated dryer. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of an air-cooled compressor installation according to the invention with an integrated drying device. [Diagram 3] 3 shows the representation according to the arrow F3 in FIG. 2 of a part of a compressor installation according to the invention; [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. [Diagram 5] 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] 4A-4C show schematic diagrams of some alternative embodiments of a portion of the compressor installation as shown in FIG. [Figure 7] 4A-4C show schematic diagrams of some alternative embodiments of a portion of the compressor installation as shown in FIG. [Figure 8] 4A-4C show schematic diagrams of some alternative embodiments of a portion of the compressor installation as shown in FIG. [Figure 9] 4A-4C show schematic diagrams of some alternative embodiments of a portion of the compressor installation as shown in FIG. [Figure 10] 4A-4C show schematic diagrams of some alternative embodiments of a portion of the compressor installation as shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, a conventional compressor installation 1 with an integrated drying device 2 has already been described at the beginning of this patent specification and will not be repeated here.

[0014] A first embodiment of an air-cooled compressor installation 1 according to the invention is shown in figure 2. For simplicity, the reference numerals referring to corresponding parts of figure 1 are reproduced in figure 2.

[0015] From this figure 2 it is immediately apparent that there are important similarities with conventional compressor installations, in particular with regard to the presence of a housing 10 in which is provided a motor 4 arranged to drive one or more compressor elements 5. Although only one compressor element 5 is shown diagrammatically in the figure, the invention is not limited thereto and is also applicable to multi-stage compressors comprising two or more compressor elements 5 connected in series or in parallel.

[0016] In the example of FIG. 2, the type of compressor element 5 is an oil-free toothed compressor element, but it is clear that the invention is not limited to toothed compressor installations but can also be applied to other types of compressors, such as, for example, screw compressors (preferably, but not necessarily strictly oil-free), piston compressors, scroll compressors or other types of compressors.

[0017] An important different feature of the compressor installation 1 according to the invention with respect to the conventional compressor installation shown in Figure 1 is that the integrated drying device 2 is located adjacent to the motor 4 rather than above it. The associated drying device 2 in this case comprises a separate dryer housing H connected to the bottom wall X of the housing 10 and closed at the top by a top wall T, all such that a first transverse cooling channel K extends between the top wall T of the dryer housing H and the roof 9 of the housing 10.

[0018] According to the invention, the interior space R of the dryer housing H is connected to the outlet 8 via a second transverse cooling channel Y.

[0019] Within the housing 10, a transverse wall 15 extends from the roof 9 and also comprises at least one, in this case two, air-cooled heat exchangers 11a and 11b. In this example, the first air-cooled heat exchanger 11a forms an aftercooler for cooling the compressed gas originating from the compressor element 5, while the second air-cooled heat exchanger 11b is configured to cool a cooling liquid guided through the jacket of the compressor element 5 and / or the casing of the motor 4.

[0020] It is clear that the invention is not necessarily limited to such an embodiment of the compressor installation 1 with two air-cooled heat exchangers 11a and 11b, but that only one of such air-cooled heat exchangers 11a can also be provided, for example an aftercooler. Alternatively, of course, in the case of a multi-stage compressor installation, for example with two compressor elements 5 connected in series, three or more air-cooled heat exchangers 11a, 11b can also be provided, where the first air-cooled heat exchanger 11a can form an intercooler, while the second air-cooled heat exchanger 11b forms an aftercooler and the third air-cooled heat exchanger (not shown in the figure) is arranged to cool the coolant used, for example, to cool the jacket of one or more compressor elements 5 and / or the motor 4.

[0021] On the other hand, it is also clear that in the case of the two air-cooled heat exchangers 11a and 11b, these may also consist of an intercooler and an aftercooler only, and that none of these air-cooled heat exchangers 11a and 11b is configured to cool the cooling medium passing through, for example, the jacket of the compressor element 5 and / or the motor 4.

[0022] The aforementioned transverse wall 15 preferably extends to the bottom wall X, whereby first and second cooling channels 14a and 14b are formed on either side of the wall 15, respectively, which channels 14a and 14b communicate with each other via the secondary circuits of one or more heat exchangers 11a and 11b.

[0023] The first cooling channel 14a communicates upstream via said lateral cooling channel K with a suction opening at the top of the side wall 13 of the housing 10, while the downstream second cooling channel 14b communicates with a discharge opening in the roof 9 of the housing 10 through which the cooling air by the fan 16 can be discharged to the atmosphere.

[0024] In the example of FIG. 2, the second cooling channel 14b has a downstream increased flow section over at least a portion of its length, although this is not a strict requirement according to the present invention.

[0025] The air-cooled heat exchangers 11a and 11b are integrated into the wall 15 such that an air flow flowing through the substantially U-shaped cooling channels 14a-14b removes heat from the media flowing through the primary circuits of these heat exchangers 11a and 11b, in particular the compressed gas originating from the compressor element 5 and / or the cooling liquid originating from the compressor element 5 and / or the motor 4.

[0026] Another difference of the air-cooled compressor installation 1 according to the invention shown in Fig. 2 with respect to the conventional arrangement shown in Fig. 1 is that, on the one hand, in the space S between the closing walls 17 that keep the second cooling channel 14b separated from the inner space of the housing 10 in which the motor 4 and the compressor element 5 are arranged, and on the other hand, in the wall of the housing 10, a silencer 18 is provided that is arranged in the flow path of the compressed medium, either on the suction side of the compressor element 5 or on its high-pressure side. In this case, the associated silencer 18 is arranged at least partially above the motor 4 and / or above the compressor element 5, in this case between the motor 4 on the one hand and the widened part of the second cooling channel 14b on the other hand. In the schematic example, the widening of the second cooling channel is such that the silencer 18 extends at least partially between the closing wall 17 and the motor 4.

[0027] In this example, the drying device 2 of the compressor installation according to FIG. 2 is configured in a conventional manner, for example in the form of a desiccant dryer with a rotatable drum containing therein a desiccant material, such as silica gel, which is arranged in a container 3.

[0028] The operation of the air-cooled compressor installation 1 with integrated drying device 2 according to the invention is very simple and is as follows.

[0029] The gas to be compressed, e.g. air, is sucked in by compressor element 5, driven by motor 4 and then split into a first regenerated gas stream which is directed to a regenerative zone in vessel 3 and a second compressed gas stream which first passes through the primary circuit of aftercooler 11a and then via a condensate separator, not shown, to a drying zone of vessel 3 where a desiccant material in a drying drum adsorbs moisture from the compressed gas.

[0030] The regeneration gas stream leaving the regeneration zone is cooled in an air-cooled regeneration condenser 6 and then, after removal of condensate by a condensate separator, not shown, is combined with the compressed gas to be dried coming from aftercooler 11a and passed through the drying zone.

[0031] The first cooling air flow 7, used for cooling the regenerative gas flow in the regenerative cooler 6, is discharged from the space R via the second transverse cooling channel Y to an outlet 8 and thus to the atmosphere. In the example shown, for this purpose a fan is provided in the flow path of the cooling air for cooling the regenerative cooler 6, in particular in the second transverse cooling channel Y.

[0032] Through suction openings at the top of the side wall 13 of the housing 10, the second cooling air flow 12 is sucked into a first lateral cooling channel K extending between the roof 9 of the housing 10 and the top wall T of the dryer housing H, and flows along the outer wall of a second transverse cooling channel Y extending through the first lateral cooling channel K.

[0033] The first cooling air flow 12 is then deflected downwards into the first cooling channel 14a, through the secondary circuits of the first and second air-cooled heat exchangers 11a and 11b, this air flow acting as a cooling medium and thus removing heat, on the one hand, from the compressed gas passing through the primary circuit of the first air-cooled heat exchanger 11a, and, on the other hand, from the cooling liquid originating from the jacket of the motor 4 and / or the compressor element 5, passing through the primary circuit of the second air-cooled heat exchanger 11b.

[0034] The second cooling air stream 12 then continues to flow upwards in the flow direction indicated by arrow C under the impact of the fan 16 and is eventually discharged through a discharge opening in the roof 9 .

[0035] Due to the fact that the integrated drying device 2 is located adjacent to the motor 4 in the housing 10 rather than above the motor 4, the centre of gravity of the air-cooled compressor installation 1 according to the invention is lower than in conventional air-cooled compressor installations, whilst space is also available for additional components such as a silencer 18.

[0036] In the air-cooled compressor installation 1 according to the invention, it is by no means obvious that the first and second cooling channels 14a and 14b extend between the space S in which the motor 4 and the compressor element 5 are located and the space R in which the vessel 3 and the regenerative cooler 6 are located, since this has substantial implications for the different cooling air flows 7 and 12 in the housing 10. However, the alternative embodiment according to the invention offers an elegant solution by providing a first transverse cooling channel K and a second transverse cooling channel Y, which, despite the fact that they cross each other in the space above the dryer housing H, do not substantially adversely affect the cooling efficiency of the associated cooling air flows 7 and 12, while still obtaining beneficial effects such as improved stability during transportation of the compressor installation 1 and extra space for additional components such as the silencer 18.

[0037] Figures 3 to 5 show, on a larger scale and diagrammatically, some details of a first embodiment of an air-cooled compressor installation 1 according to the invention with an integrated drying device 2. Figure 3 clearly shows the trajectory of the first cooling air flow 7, which is fed upwards from the space R of the dryer housing H to the outlet 8 via the second transverse cooling channel Y.

[0038] The first transverse cooling channel K extends in a direction perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the main direction of the second transverse cooling channel Y such that the second cooling air flow 12 flows around the outer wall of the second transverse cooling channel Y on both sides. Preferably, but not strictly necessary, the second transverse cooling channel Y extends substantially centrally through the first transverse cooling channel K such that the spaces for throughflow by the second cooling air flow 12 on both sides of the second transverse cooling channel Y have the same size or substantially the same size.

[0039] 4, the transverse cross-section of the second transverse cooling channel Y has an elliptical or, even more preferably, circular shape. Such a configuration has been found to have little or no adverse effect on the cooling efficiency of the second cooling air flow 12, as turbulence remains limited.

[0040] The second cooling air stream 12 is then deflected downward against a transverse wall 15 which, together with a side wall of the dryer housing H and two side walls of the housing 10, defines a first cooling channel 14a. This is shown in FIG.

[0041] In FIG. 6, the representation of FIG. 3 is resumed as a reference for comparison of the alternative embodiments shown in FIGS.

[0042] 7, according to the invention, two or more transverse cooling channels Y may be provided which direct the cooling air from the space H of the dryer housing H to the outlet 8. The transverse cooling channels Y are preferably positioned at a distance from each other such that they minimally disturb the second cooling air flow 12. Preferably, but not necessarily, the walls of the various transverse cooling channels Y all have an elliptical or circular cross section.

[0043] FIG. 8 shows yet another embodiment in which in this case two parallel or substantially parallel transverse cooling channels K1 and K2 respectively run adjacent to each other and are separated from each other by a partition 19.

[0044] Through each of these lateral cooling channels K1 and K2, in this example, a respective transverse cooling channel Y extends from the space R of the dryer housing H.

[0045] In such an embodiment, at least the first cooling channel 14a may also be divided into two parallel channels, a first partial channel along which a first portion of the cooling air 12' is directed to the first air-cooled heat exchanger 11a, and a second partial channel along which a second portion of the cooling air 12' is directed to the second air-cooled heat exchanger 11b.

[0046] Depending on the cooling flow required for the respective air-cooled heat exchangers 11a and 11b, the dimensions of the lateral cooling channels K1 and K2 can be adjusted as desired.

[0047] 9 also shows an embodiment with two parallel lateral cooling channels K3 and K4, which in this case extend one above the other, again separated from each other by a partition 19, which in this example is substantially parallel to the top wall T of the dryer housing H, although this is not necessarily the case.

[0048] Again, in such a configuration, at least a portion of the first cooling channel 14a may be split essentially in line with the splitting of the transverse cooling channels K, such that a first portion of the cooling air 12′ flowing through the first transverse cooling channel K3 is directed to the first air-cooled heat exchanger 11a, while a second portion of the cooling air 12″ flowing through the second transverse cooling channel K4 is directed to the second air-cooled heat exchanger 11b.

[0049] In this example, only one transverse cooling channel Y extends through each lateral cooling channel K3 and K4, but it should be clear that in this embodiment, two or more transverse cooling channels Y may also be provided, for example as in the example of FIG. 7.

[0050] Finally, Fig. 10 shows yet another embodiment in which again more than one transverse cooling channel is provided, but in which a first transverse cooling channel K5 extends at least partially around a second transverse cooling channel K6 in the longitudinal direction. To this end, the respective transverse cooling channels K5 and K6 are separated from each other by two or more partition walls 19a and 19b. It will be clear that also in this embodiment the dimensions of the respective transverse cooling channels K5 and K6 can be adjusted to the cooling capacity required for the respective air-cooled heat exchanger 11a and 11b.

[0051] In this example, the cross-sectional area of ​​the first transverse cooling channel K5 is, for example, significantly larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the second transverse cooling channel K6.

[0052] Although in each illustrated embodiment a maximum of two lateral cooling channels are shown, it is not excluded according to the invention to provide more than two lateral cooling channels which may or may not communicate with separate cooling channels 14 and thus supply cooling air to different air-cooled heat exchangers. Finally, as mentioned above, the number of air-cooled heat exchangers 11 should not be limited to one or two, but rather the air-cooled compressor installation 1 according to the invention may also be provided with more than two air-cooled heat exchangers.

[0053] In the described example, the drying device 2 is formed by a desiccant dryer, but the invention is not necessarily limited to this, since the drying device 2 can also comprise another type of dryer, such as a cooled dryer including an air-cooled condenser. In such a case, it is not necessary to divert a part of the hot compressed gas for regeneration of the desiccant material, but the entire compressed gas flow coming from the compressor element 5 is still cooled in an air-cooled aftercooler and then led to a secondary circuit of a heat exchanger, the primary circuit of which forms the evaporator of a cooling circuit in order to cool the compressed gas to a temperature below its dew point and thus make it possible to separate the condensate from the compressed gas.

[0054] Therefore, in that case, the air-cooled heat exchangers 11a and 11b can still consist of an aftercooler and optionally an intercooler, in which case a first cooling air flow 7 still needs to be provided in the dryer housing H to cool a condenser that is part of the cooling circuit of the refrigerated dryer.

[0055] The invention is in no way limited to the embodiments described by way of example and shown in the figures, but the air-cooled compressor installation according to the invention with integrated drying device can be realised in all kinds of shapes and dimensions without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the accompanying conclusion. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 1. Air-cooled compressor equipment 2 Integrated dryer 3 containers 4 Motor 5 Compressor elements 6 Air-cooled regenerative cooler, air-cooled condenser 7 First Cooling Air Flow 8 Outlet 9. Roof 10. Housing 11a First air-cooled heat exchanger, aftercooler 11b Second air-cooled heat exchanger 12 Second Cooling Air Flow 12' Cooling Air 12'' Cooling Air 13 Side wall 14 Internal Cooling Channels 14a First cooling channel 14b Second cooling channel 15 Cross Wall 16 Fans 17 Closing wall 18 Silencer 19 Bulkhead 19a Bulkhead 19b Bulkhead C Arrow F3 Arrow H Dryer housing K Lateral cooling channel R space S space T top wall X bottom wall Y-cross cooling channel

Claims

1. An air-cooled compressor installation comprising a housing (10), a compressor element (5) driven by a motor (4) disposed in said housing (10), and further comprising: An integrated drying device (2) having a dryer housing (H) with an interior space (R); At least one air-cooled heat exchanger (11a, 11b) is established, the integrated drying device (2) is arranged adjacent to the motor (4), the air-cooled heat exchanger (11a, 11b) has a secondary circuit connecting to a transverse cooling channel (K) via a first cooling channel (14a), the interior space (R) is connected to an outlet of a first cooling air flow (7) via a transverse cooling channel (Y), the transverse cooling channel (Y) extending through the transverse cooling channel (K), An air-cooled compressor installation.

2. 2. An air-cooled compressor installation according to claim 1, characterized in that the integrated drying device (2) comprises a desiccant dryer with a regenerative cooler (6) configured such that the first cooled air flow (7) forms a cooling medium for a regeneration gas passing through the regenerative cooler (6).

3. 3. An air-cooled compressor installation according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the transverse cross-section of the transverse cooling channel (Y) has an elliptical or circular shape.

4. 4. An air-cooled compressor installation according to claim 1, characterized in that the transverse cooling channel (Y) extends substantially centrally through the transverse cooling channel (K) such that the spaces for the through-flow of the second cooling air flow on both sides of the transverse cooling channel (Y) have the same size or substantially the same size.

5. 5. An air-cooled compressor installation according to claim 1, further comprising two air-cooled heat exchangers (11a, 11b), in particular a first air-cooled heat exchanger (11a) forming an intercooler and a second air-cooled heat exchanger (11b) forming an aftercooler, the secondary circuits of each of these heat exchangers (11a and 11n) forming a connection between the first cooling channel (14a) and the second cooling channel (14b), the first and second cooling channels (14a and 14b) extending on either side of a transverse wall (15) arranged in the housing (10).

6. 6. An air-cooled compressor installation according to any one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first cooling channels (14a) extend perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the transverse cooling channels (K).

7. 7. An air-cooled compressor installation according to any one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transverse cooling channels (K) extend at least partially between a top wall (T) of the dryer housing (H) on the one hand and a roof (9) of the housing (10) on the other hand.

8. 8. An air-cooled compressor installation according to any one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the interior space (R) is connected to an outlet (8) in the roof (9) of the housing (10) via a number of transverse channels (Y), each of which extends through a transverse cooling channel (K).

9. 9. An air-cooled compressor installation according to any one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that it is provided with two or more parallel or substantially parallel transverse cooling channels (K1, K2, K3, K4, K5, K6) separated from one another by partitions (19).

10. 10. An air-cooled compressor installation according to claim 9, characterised in that the transverse cooling channels (K1, K2) extend adjacent to one another.

11. 10. An air-cooled compressor installation according to claim 9, characterised in that the transverse cooling channels (K3, K4) extend vertically.

12. 10. An air-cooled compressor installation according to claim 9, characterised in that one of the transverse cooling channels (K5) extends at least partially around another transverse cooling channel (K6).

13. 13. An air-cooled dryer installation according to any one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that a first transverse cooling channel (K1, K3, K5) communicates with a first partial channel of the first cooling channel (14a) and a second transverse cooling channel (K2, K4, K6) communicates with a second partial channel of the first cooling channel (14a).

14. 14. The air-cooled dryer installation according to claim 13, characterized in that the first partial channel is connected to a first air-cooled heat exchanger (11a) and the second partial channel is connected to a second air-cooled heat exchanger (11b).

15. 15. An air-cooled dryer installation according to any one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the air-cooled heat exchanger is configured to cool a cooling medium originating from a cooling jacket of the compressor element (5) and / or the motor (4).

16. 6. The air-cooled dryer installation according to claim 5, characterized in that in the space (S) between, on the one hand, a closing wall (17) separating the second cooling channel (14b) from the inner space of the housing (10) in which the motor (4) and the compressor element (5) are arranged, and, on the other hand, the wall of the housing (10), a silencer (18) is provided which is arranged in the flow path of the compression medium.

17. 17. An air-cooled dryer installation according to any one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the compressor element (5) relates to an oil-free toothed compressor element.

18. 17. An air-cooled dryer installation according to claim 5 or 16, characterized in that the second cooling channel (14b) has a downstream increased flow section over at least a part of its length.

19. 2. The air-cooled dryer installation according to claim 1, characterized in that the integrated drying device (2) comprises a cooled dryer with a cooling circuit comprising an air-cooled condenser (6) configured to be cooled by the first cooling air flow (7).

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