External preloaded adsorption cartridge and adsorption module

Abstract

The present invention provides an adsorption cartridge and adsorption module that enable efficient replacement of the adsorption cartridge installed in the housing of the adsorption module. [Solution] The adsorption cartridge (24) comprises an annular sleeve having an inner wall (28), an outer wall (30), a first end cap (34), and a second end cap (36), the first end cap (34) having an opening (52). The adsorption cartridge (24) further comprises an adsorbent material (40) housed in the annular sleeve, a movable compression plate (38) disposed inside the annular sleeve and between the first end cap (34) and the adsorbent material (40), and at least one actuation element (54) disposed in the opening (52) and configured to bias the movable compression plate (38) toward the adsorbent material (40).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Some embodiments relate to an adsorption cartridge comprising an annular sleeve having an inner wall, an outer wall, and first and second end caps, the sleeve containing an adsorbent material. The present embodiment further relates to an adsorption module comprising a housing for containing the adsorption cartridge.

Background Art

[0002] This type of adsorption cartridge is known from US Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0169566.

[0003] Adsorption cartridges are used in various applications to remove gas components from a gas stream. Typically, an adsorption cartridge needs to be replaced as needed when the adsorption capacity of the adsorbent material is utilized.

[0004] The adsorbent material, or adsorbent, is often provided as a granular material. Therefore, it is desirable to keep the adsorbent material compact in order to avoid the formation of a bypass path by the granular adsorbent material within the body. For this purpose, spring load compression may be employed. Usually, the spring is provided within an exchangeable cartridge.

[0005] The aforementioned U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0169566 discloses an adsorption container including upper and lower end caps. Several annular media cartridges are arranged within the container. Each media cartridge includes an outer wall opposite an inner wall, which defines the radial distance. The adsorbent media is contained between the inner and outer walls. The upper and lower sides of each media cartridge may be uncontained, or may simply contain some mesh material having an opening small enough to keep the adsorbent media contained within. In this regard, the upper and lower containment meshes can be considered as end caps for each cartridge. Removal and replacement of the media cartridges are cumbersome because a central column of the container extending axially through the cartridges restricts access for handling the cartridges.

[0006] The container described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0169566 further comprises a top lid or end cap, which is openable and closable so that a cartridge of media can be slid into the container when the top end cap is removed. The top end cap also supports a column to which a reference plate is fixed. Below the reference plate is a spring plate. The spring biases the spring plate downward so that it moves away from the reference plate. This causes the spring plate to press against the media cartridge.

[0007] An emergency oxygen distribution assembly is known from European Patent Application Publication No. 4227575. The oxygen cartridge comprises a body closed at both ends by a first cover and a second cover to partition an internal volume used for storing oxygen. A bed of particulate adsorbent is housed between two sieve structures. Spring-loaded valves are provided at both ends of the cartridge to shut off or allow gas exchange with the internal volume.

[0008] The objective of this embodiment is to enable efficient replacement of the adsorption cartridge installed in the housing of the adsorption module.

[0009] This is achieved by the adsorption cartridge described in claim 1 and the adsorption module described in claim 7. Advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims and specification. [Overview of the project]

[0010] According to this embodiment, an adsorption cartridge is provided. The adsorption cartridge comprises an annular sleeve having an inner wall, an outer wall, a first end cap, and a second end cap, the first end cap having an opening. The end caps are located at both ends of the sleeve. In particular, the first end cap is located at the first end of the cartridge, and the second end cap is located at the second end of the cartridge. Typically, the end caps are permanently attached to the inner wall and the outer wall. The inner wall and the outer wall may be concentric with respect to each other.

[0011] The annular sleeve surrounds the central axis of the cartridge. Directional designations such as axial, radial, or circumferential generally refer to the central axis unless explicitly stated otherwise.

[0012] The adsorption cartridge further comprises an adsorbent material housed in a sleeve. In other words, the inner wall, the outer wall, and the annular space between the first and second end caps are at least partially filled with an adsorbent material, also called an adsorbent. The adsorbent is typically a granular material.

[0013] The inner and outer walls may be gas permeable to allow gas to pass through the adsorbent. The walls may include a grid structure and a mesh, fabric (woven or nonwoven) covering the flow openings of the grid structure. The mesh or fabric is gas permeable, yet prevents adsorbent particles from passing through the flow openings.

[0014] The first end cap may seal the internal space inside the inner wall. The second end cap may have a central opening that opens into the internal space inside the inner wall. The central opening of the second end cap at the second end allows gas to enter and exit the internal space. By closing the internal space at the first end with the first end cap, the gas is forced to pass through the adsorbent radially inward or outward.

[0015] The connecting nozzle may protrude from the second end cap. This allows the cartridge to be connected to the second connecting port of the second housing component.

[0016] The adsorption cartridge further comprises a movable compression plate positioned within the sleeve and between the first end cap and the adsorbent. The movable compression plate helps to confine the adsorbent within the sleeve. This keeps the adsorbent dense during use. It prevents the formation of gaps through which gas can pass without contacting the adsorbent. As the granular adsorbent shakes (settles) during use, the movable compression plate moves from the first end cap to the second end cap to maintain contact with the adsorbent. Thus, the adsorbent remains confined. Furthermore, since the adsorbent particles are kept essentially in permanent contact with each other, breakage, fragmentation, or the formation of fragments due to vibration is prevented. This contributes to keeping the adsorption cartridge operational.

[0017] A movable compression plate can seal the annular space between the inner and outer walls. However, if the internal space inside the inner wall is sealed at the first end, for example by a first end cap, gas passing between the movable compression plate and the inner or outer wall generally does not affect the adsorption performance, since the gas must pass through the adsorbent bed anyway. Generally, movable compression plates are designed to fit tightly enough between the inner and outer walls to prevent adsorbent particles from passing through. A small radial gap can reduce friction.

[0018] The adsorption cartridge further comprises at least one actuation element positioned at the opening and configured to bias a movable compression plate toward the adsorbent. At least when the cartridge is installed in the housing, the actuation element passes through the opening and interacts with the movable compression plate. This design allows for external operation of the movable compression plate. There is no need to provide preloading means within the cartridge. Rather, preloading is applied from a preloading unit in the housing that houses the cartridge. Since the cartridge generally does not contain preloading means such as springs, the cartridge design is simplified and less material is required for manufacture. The housing's preloading unit is repeatedly used to contain the adsorbent of cartridges that are sequentially installed in the housing. Furthermore, cartridge installation can be simple, such as inserting the cartridge into the housing (with the first and second end caps facing the correct direction) and closing the housing.

[0019] At least one operating element may be fixed to a movable compression plate. When the operating element is held in place by the movable compression plate, the assembly of the cartridge is facilitated.

[0020] The movable compression plate and at least one actuation element may be integrally formed with each other. This allows for efficient manufacturing, for example, by forming the movable compression plate and actuation element as injection-molded plastic parts.

[0021] At least one operating element may protrude from the movable compression plate beyond the first end cap. This further facilitates cartridge installation, as the cartridge can be positioned within the housing at any rotational position relative to the central axis.

[0022] At least one actuation element may include at least two, and in particular at least four, actuation elements. The actuation elements may be arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. This ensures uniform containment of the adsorbent and prevents clogging of the movable compression plate.

[0023] At least two actuating elements may provide a conical interface (with respect to the central axis of the cartridge) configured to abut against a preloading member of the housing. Thereby, when the cartridge is installed in the housing, it is automatically centered at the first end. The movable preloading member may have a conical surface for engaging with the conical interface in the actuating element.

[0024] The first end cap may define a stopper for the movable compression plate. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the movable compression plate from disengaging from the sleeve without the need to provide additional components or structures.

[0025] When the movable compression plate is located at the stopper of the first end cap, the actuating element may protrude beyond the outer surface around the opening of the first end cap by more than 3%, particularly more than 5%, of the total length of the cartridge. Thereby, it becomes possible to move the movable compression plate far enough from the first end cap towards the second end cap.

[0026] The adsorbent material may include any one or any combination of carbon-based adsorbents, particularly activated carbon, activated coke, and molecular sieve carbon, oxide-based adsorbents, particularly zeolite and / or silica gel, and polymer-based adsorbents, particularly adsorption polymers and / or ion exchange resins.

[0027] The adsorption cartridge can be used to adsorb H2O, CO2, and / or VOC (volatile organic compounds). Activated carbon or coke is particularly useful for the adsorption of VOC.

[0028] The adsorption cartridge is preferably used for gas adsorption. However, adsorption of the liquid phase from a gas or liquid stream is also conceivable.

[0029] The adsorption cartridge can be used, for example, in an air dryer for cabin air treatment (i.e., to remove water from air), or in a pressurized air system for, for example, a truck's brake system.

[0030] The adsorption cartridge can be used to capture harmful gases, for example, in military applications or for hydrocarbon removal at airports.

[0031] The sleeve may include a first annular sleeve having an intermediate wall, an outer wall, a first end cap, and a second end cap, and a second annular sleeve having an intermediate wall, an inner wall, a first end cap, and a second end cap. The adsorbent may be accommodated in the first annular sleeve. The adsorption cartridge may further include another adsorbent accommodated in the second annular sleeve. The movable compression plate may be disposed between the first end cap and the adsorbent and the other adsorbent. Advantageously, the adsorption cartridge may include two different types of adsorbents for adsorbing two different types of liquids and / or gases, and these two different types of adsorbents may be compressed by the movable compression plate.

[0032] The movable compression plate may further include a guide structure extending between the inner wall and the outer wall from the bottom surface of the movable compression plate. The guide structure has an opening into which the intermediate wall can be inserted. The guide structure is configured to guide the movable compression plate when the movable compression plate is biased against the adsorbent and the other adsorbent, and when the intermediate wall is inserted into the opening. Advantageously, the movable compression plate can be evenly pressed against the adsorbent without deviating from a predetermined position. In other words, the guide structure enables the movable compression plate to maintain a substantially perpendicular angle to the wall.

[0033] This embodiment further relates to an adsorption module. The adsorption module includes an adsorption cartridge according to the above-described embodiment.

[0034] The suction module further comprises a housing including a first housing component and a second housing component that can be detachably fixed to each other, the housing being configured to accommodate a suction cartridge. During operation, the first and second housing components are fixed to each other, and the cartridge is positioned in the housing space within the housing. When replacing the cartridge, the housing is opened. The first and second housing components may be associated with the first and second end caps of the cartridge, respectively.

[0035] The suction module further comprises a preloading unit fixed to a housing, which includes a movable preloading member and a spring configured to bias the movable preloading member toward the suction cartridge (when installed in the housing). The movable preloading member may be a preloading plate in particular. The spring may be a coil spring. However, other types of springs, such as laminated disc springs, are also possible. The preloading unit is typically fixed to a first housing component.

[0036] The preloading unit may be designed to apply compression to the adsorbent while the movable compression plate moves over a distance of 3% or more of the total length of the cartridge, particularly at least 5% or more. For example, if the cartridge is 200 mm long, a spring load can be applied to the movable compression plate to confine the adsorbent while the movable compression plate moves 10 mm away from the stopper of the first end cap.

[0037] At least one actuating element may be configured to act between the movable preload member and the movable compression plate. In other words, the movable preload member may press against the movable compression plate via the actuating element when the cartridge is installed in the housing. In particular, direct contact between the actuating element and the movable compression plate and / or preload member may be established.

[0038] Alternatively, the actuation element may act between the movable compression plate and the end face of the housing.

[0039] The movable preload member may have a conical surface configured to contact at least one actuation element. This ensures that the cartridge is automatically centered at the first end when it is installed in the housing. The actuation element may provide a conical interface that contacts the conical surface of the movable preload member.

[0040] As described above, at least one operating element may protrude from the movable compression plate beyond the first end cap.

[0041] Alternatively, at least one actuation element may protrude from the movable preload member and be configured to engage with the suction cartridge through an opening in the first end cap (in the assembled state of the suction module). This allows for a particularly simple design of the replaceable movable compression plate.

[0042] The actuating element may be fixed to a movable preloading member, and in particular, the actuating element may be integrally formed with the movable preloading member. The rotational position of the cartridge within the housing can be defined by the engagement of the actuating element fixed to the movable preloading member. By making the multiple actuating elements and openings irregularly spaced, a single rotational position for the cartridge can be defined.

[0043] The second end cap of the cartridge may be supported against the axial end face of the second housing component. The connecting nozzle of the second end cap may engage with a (second) connecting port on the axial end face of the second housing component. The second connecting port and connecting nozzle allow gas to be introduced into or discharged from the cartridge.

[0044] The movable preload member may be fixed to a spring. This prevents the movable preload member from detaching from the preload unit. This also makes handling easier when replacing the cartridge.

[0045] In some embodiments, the spring may be directly supported by the first housing component.

[0046] In some embodiments, the preloading unit may further comprise a spring support fixed to the first housing component. The spring acts between the spring support and the movable preloading member. In particular, the spring may be directly supported against the spring support and / or the movable preloading member. If the preloading unit is supplied as a pre-installed assembly, the initial installation of the preloading assembly in the housing is facilitated. When replacing a cartridge, the preloading unit and the first housing component are removed together from the second housing component.

[0047] The first housing component may be provided with a first connection port. The first connection port makes it possible to discharge or introduce gas into the housing, in particular to or from outside the cartridge.

[0048] The second housing component may have a housing space for the suction cartridge. A spring support may be positioned between the first connection port and the housing space. The spring support may have a flow opening that fluidly connects the first connection port to the housing space.

[0049] The suction module may include a guide structure for the movable preload member. The guide structure can prevent radial displacement and / or tilting of the movable preload member. The guide structure may be provided on a spring support or a first housing component. The guide structure may surround the movable preload member and may include ribs or the like that project radially inward.

[0050] The suction module may include a stopper configured to hold the movable preload member in place. The stopper may be located on the spring support or on the first housing component. The stopper holds the movable preload member near, or preferably in contact with, the spring. The stopper can prevent the spring from becoming completely unloaded when the housing is opened. This limits the distance the spring needs to be compressed, making it easier to close the housing. The stopper for the movable preload member may be located at the axial end of the guide structure.

[0051] The adsorption module may further comprise another adsorption cartridge according to the embodiments described above. The housing may be further configured to accommodate another adsorption cartridge. In other words, a single housing is provided to accommodate multiple adsorption cartridges.

[0052] In one embodiment, each adsorption cartridge is provided with an individual preloading unit.

[0053] In another embodiment, a single preloading unit is provided for multiple suction cartridges. In particular, the movable preloading member may be configured to bias toward another suction cartridge. Multiple preloading units may be provided, and it is understood that each preloading unit is adapted to bias toward multiple cartridges within the housing.

[0054] Other advantages and features of this embodiment will be understood from the following description of the embodiment with reference to the drawings illustrating important details, and from the claims. Each of the features described above or below may be implemented individually or in any useful combination in the modifications of this embodiment. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0055] [Figure 1] This is a schematic perspective view of an adsorption module according to an embodiment. [Figure 2]Figure 1 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the adsorption module, showing the adsorption cartridge and preloading unit arranged within the housing according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of the adsorption cartridge. [Figure 4] This is a magnified detail view of Figure 2, showing the region where the preloading unit interacts with the compression plate of the adsorption cartridge. [Figure 5] The present embodiment shows an adsorption module comprising a housing that includes a preloading unit for compressing the adsorbent material of several adsorption cartridges according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] This is a schematic perspective view of an adsorption module according to a further embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 6 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the adsorption module, showing an adsorption cartridge and a preloading unit placed on the adsorption cartridge according to a further embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0056] Figure 1 shows an adsorption module 10, particularly its housing 12. The housing 12 includes first and second housing components 14 and 16, which are detachably fixed to each other by screws 18. A first connection port 20 is formed in the first housing component 14. A second connection port 22 is formed in the second housing component 16. The connection ports 20 and 22 allow gas to be introduced into the housing 12 and gas to be discharged from the housing 12. In particular, the second connection port 22 may be an inlet and the first connection port 20 may be an outlet. The flow direction may be reversed. The gas supplied to the module 10 contains components to be removed. After passing through the module 10, these components in the gas are reduced, and in particular, certain components are removed from the gas leaving the module 10.

[0057] As is clear from Figure 2, the adsorption cartridge 24 is housed within the housing 12. In the illustrated embodiment, a housing space 26 for the cartridge 24 is formed within the second housing component 16. The adsorption cartridge 24 is also shown in Figure 3.

[0058] The cartridge 24 has an annular sleeve formed by inner and outer walls 28, 30 that concentrically surround a central axis 32. At the first axial end, a first end cap 34 is permanently fixed to the inner and outer walls 28, 30. At the second axial end, a second end cap 36 is permanently fixed to the inner and outer walls 28, 30.

[0059] The movable compression plate 38 is positioned below the first end cap 34, i.e., inside the first end cap 34. In the illustrated state, the compression plate 38 is in contact with the first end cap 34. The first end cap 34 defines a stopper to the axial movement of the compression plate 38 away from the second end cap 36.

[0060] Granular adsorbent material 40 (or adsorbent) is arranged inside the sleeve, i.e., between the inner wall and the outer walls 28, 30, and between the second end cap 36 and the compression plate 38. The adsorbent material 40 may include, for example, activated carbon or other types of carbon-based adsorbents to adsorb odors or harmful gases. Depending on the substance to be adsorbed, other types of adsorbents may be used; for example, oxide-based adsorbents such as zeolite or silica gel may be used to remove water (liquid or gaseous) from the airflow. The use of polymer-based adsorbents, particularly ion exchange resins, is also conceivable.

[0061] The second end cap 36 seals the annular space between the inner wall and the outer walls 28, 30. The second end cap 36 opens into the radial internal space inside the inner wall 28. In the illustrated embodiment, the connecting nozzle 42 protrudes from the second end cap 36. When the second end cap 36 abuts against the axial end face 43 of the second housing component 16, the connecting nozzle 42 is sealed and housed in the second connecting port 22.

[0062] The first end cap 34 seals and closes the radial internal space at the first end of the cartridge 24.

[0063] The inner and outer walls 28 and 30 are gas permeable. In each case, a mesh 44 or cloth is attached to a grid structure 46 having flow openings 48. The mesh 44 is gas permeable, yet it keeps the granular adsorbent 40 inside the annular space.

[0064] The gas introduced into the internal space through the second connection port 22 and connection nozzle 42 passes radially through the walls 28, 30 and the adsorbent 40 between the walls 28, 30. The purified gas is discharged from the housing 12 at the first connection port 20.

[0065] To keep the adsorbent material 40 dense, the compression plate 38 is pressed against the adsorbent material 40, that is, toward the second end cap 36. For this purpose, a preloading unit 50 is employed, as will be described in more detail below.

[0066] The first end cap 34 has an opening 52, which allows the compression plate 38 to be actuated. In this embodiment, the actuating element 54 is integrally formed with the compression plate 38. The actuating element 54 protrudes beyond the first end cap 34. The free end of the actuating element 54 is inclined toward the first end cap 34 when viewed radially inward. Thus, a conical interface 55 surrounding the central axis 32 is formed. It is understood that the inclination may be toward away from the first end cap 34 when viewed radially inward (not shown in detail).

[0067] The preloading unit 50 includes a preloading member 56 designed as a preloading plate and a spring 58, in this case a coil spring. In this embodiment, the preloading unit 50 further includes a spring support 60.

[0068] The spring support 60 is fixed to the first housing component 14 by a screw 62. In this embodiment, the screw 18 for opening and closing the housing 12 engages with the spring support 60 and the second housing component 16, while the screw 62 permanently attaches the spring support 60 to the first housing component 14.

[0069] The spring 58 can be held in place by an interference fit to the spring support 60 so as not to come loose when the housing 12 is opened. An engagement nipple 64 may be provided on the preload member 56 to prevent the preload member 56 from coming off the spring 58 (see Figure 4). An engagement nipple or other locking means may also be provided on the spring support, and / or the interference fit may be provided between the spring and the preload member (not shown in detail).

[0070] The spring 58 applies force to the preload member 56 so as to move it away from the spring support, i.e., toward the cartridge 24. In the assembled state, the preload member 56 abuts against the actuating element 54 of the compression plate 38. The preload member 56 has a conical surface 66 for engaging with a conical interface 55 formed by the actuating element 54. Here, the conical surface 66 is convex. In an alternative embodiment, the conical surface may be concave, and the inclination of the actuating element is reversed (not shown in detail). In any case, the cartridge 24 is centered at its first end by the wedge effect between the conical surface 66 and the conical interface 55.

[0071] As described above, the action of the spring 58 is transmitted to the compression plate 38. Therefore, the compression plate 38 is biased against the granular adsorbent 40. This ensures dense packing of the adsorbent 40, prevents leakage paths from opening, and reduces vibration damage to the adsorbent granules.

[0072] In this embodiment, the spring support 60 is cup-shaped and extends across the diameter of the first housing component 14. A flow opening 68 is formed within the cup-shaped body of the spring support 60 to allow gas flow between the first connection port 20 and the containment space 26, in particular to the outside of the cartridge 24.

[0073] Figure 5 shows an additional adsorption module 70. The main differences between module 70 and module 10 are described below. For common features, refer to the description above.

[0074] In module 70, several adsorption cartridges 72 are housed together in a single housing 12. A distribution manifold 73 connects a second connection port 22 to the radially inner internal space of each inner wall 28 of the cartridge 72. As described above with reference to Figures 1 to 4, the constrained adsorbent 40 purifies the gas flow before the gas is discharged through the first connection port 20.

[0075] In this embodiment, a single common preloading unit 74 is provided to bias the compression plates 38 of all cartridges 72 toward their respective adsorbents 40. One or more springs 58 may be positioned between the first housing component 14 and the plate-shaped preloading member 76.

[0076] The guide structure 78 surrounds the preload member 76 to prevent radial movement and tilting. A stopper 80 for the preload member 76 is provided at the free end of the guide structure 78.

[0077] In this embodiment, the actuating element 82 protrudes from the preloading member 76. The preloading member 76 and the actuating element 82 may be formed integrally or fixed to each other.

[0078] The actuating element 82 engages with the opening 52 of the first end cap 34 of the adsorption cartridge 72 and contacts the compression plate 84 of each cartridge 72. Here, the compression plate 84 is designed as a flat ring.

[0079] It is understood that the actuating elements protruding from the preloading member may be a single cartridge, one per preloading unit. Similarly, actuating elements protruding from the compression plates of several cartridges may abut against a single common preloading member.

[0080] Figures 6 and 7 show an additional adsorption module 90. The differences between adsorption modules 90 and 10 are described below. For common features, refer to the description above.

[0081] Referring to Figure 6, the suction module 90 includes a spring support 60 and a suction cartridge 91 including a first end cap 34. The spring support 60 is fixed to the first end cap 34 by a screw 92. In other words, the screw 92 attaches the spring support 60 to the first end cap 34.

[0082] Referring to Figure 7, the adsorption cartridge 91 further includes an intermediate wall 94 that, together with the outer wall 30, forms a first annular sleeve and, together with the inner wall 28, forms a second annular sleeve. At the first axial end, the first end cap 34 is further permanently fixed to the intermediate wall 94. At the second axial end, the second end cap 36 is further permanently fixed to the intermediate wall 94.

[0083] The first granular adsorbent 40 (or adsorbent) is located inside the first annular sleeve, i.e., between the outer wall and the intermediate walls 30, 94, and between the second end cap 36 and the compression plate 38. The second granular adsorbent 96 (or adsorbent) is located inside the second annular sleeve, i.e., between the intermediate wall and the inner walls 94, 28, and between the second end cap 36 and the compression plate 38. The second adsorbent 96 may include, for example, activated carbon or other types of carbon-based adsorbents to adsorb odors or harmful gases. Depending on the substance to be adsorbed, other types of adsorbents may be used; for example, oxide-based adsorbents such as zeolite or silica gel may be used to remove water (liquid or gaseous) from an airflow. The use of polymer-based adsorbents, particularly ion exchange resins, is also possible. The second adsorbent 96 may be different from the first adsorbent 40.

[0084] The intermediate wall 94 is gas permeable. A mesh 44 or cloth is attached to the grid structure 46 having a flow opening 48. The mesh 44 is gas permeable, yet it keeps the second adsorbent 96 inside the second annular sleeve. The gas passes radially through the walls 28, 30, 94 and the adsorbents 40, 96 between the walls 28, 30, 94.

[0085] To keep the adsorbents 40, 96 dense, the compression plate 38 is pressed against the adsorbents 40, 96, i.e., toward the second end cap 36. The compression plate 38 further includes a guide structure 98 extending from the bottom surface of the compression plate 38 between the inner wall and the outer walls 28, 30. The guide structure 98 includes an opening 99 into which an intermediate wall 94 can be inserted. The guide structure 98 is configured to guide the compression plate 38 when it is pressed against the adsorbents 40, 96 and when the intermediate wall 94 is inserted into the opening 99 of the guide structure 98, so that the compression plate 38 is pressed evenly against the adsorbents 40, 96 without coming out of place. In other words, the guide structure 98 allows the compression plate 38 to maintain a substantially perpendicular angle with respect to the walls 28, 30, 94.

[0086] In summary, this embodiment relates to an adsorption cartridge comprising a movable compression plate. The compression plate is positioned inside a sleeve filled with adsorbent material. Generally, no preloading means are provided within the cartridge. Rather, an external preload is applied to the cartridge. The preloading unit is positioned in a housing for containing the cartridge. In particular, the preloading unit is coupled to the compression plate via at least one actuation element. Adjacent to the compression plate, the end cap of the sleeve has an opening, which allows the compression plate to be moved relative to the sleeve by external action. When the cartridge is replaced, the preloading unit is generally reused. [Explanation of symbols]

[0087] 10 Adsorption Modules 12 Housing 14. First housing component 16. Second housing component 18 Screw 20 First connection port 22 Second connection port 24 Adsorption Cartridges 26 Containment space 28 Inner wall 30 Exterior Wall 32 Center axis 34 First end cap 36. Second end cap 38 Compression Plate 40 Adsorbent 42 connection nozzles 43 Axial end face 44 mesh 46 Lattice structure 48 Flow opening 50 Preload Unit 52 Opening 54 Actuating elements 55 Conical Interface 56 Preloading member 58 springs 60 Spring support 62 Screw 64 Locking Nipple 66 Conical surfaces 68 Flow opening 70 Adsorption Modules 72 Adsorption Cartridges 73 Distribution Manifold 74 Preload Unit 76 Preloading member 78 Guide Structure 80 Stopper 82 Operating elements 84 Compression Plate 90 Adsorption Modules 91 Adsorption Cartridge 92 Screw 94 Intermediate wall 96 Second Adsorbent 98 Guide Structure 99 openings

Claims

1. An annular sleeve having an inner wall (28), an outer wall (30), a first end cap (34), and a second end cap (36), wherein the first end cap (34) has an opening (52), The adsorbent material (40) housed in the annular sleeve, A movable compression plate (38; 84) is disposed within the annular sleeve and between the first end cap (34) and the adsorbent (40), Adsorption cartridge (24;72;91) comprising at least one actuation element (54;82) positioned in the opening (52) and configured to bias the movable compression plate (38;84) with respect to the adsorption material (40).

2. The adsorption cartridge according to claim 1 (24; 91), wherein the at least one operating element (54) is fixed to the movable compression plate (38), and in particular the movable compression plate (38) and the at least one operating element (54) are integrally formed.

3. The suction cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the at least one operating element (54) includes at least two operating elements (54) that provide a conical interface (55) configured to contact a preloaded member (56).

4. The adsorption cartridge (24; 72; 91) according to claim 1, wherein the first end cap (34) defines a stopper for the movable compression plate (38; 84).

5. The adsorbent material (40) is Carbon-based adsorbents, in particular activated carbon, activated coke, and molecular sieve carbon, one or any combination thereof. Oxide-based adsorbents, particularly zeolites and / or silica gels, and Polymer-based adsorbents, in particular adsorbent polymers and / or ion exchange resins, The adsorption cartridge according to claim 1 (24; 72; 91), comprising any one or any combination of the following.

6. The aforementioned annular sleeve is A first annular sleeve having an intermediate wall (94), the outer wall (30), the first end cap (34), and the second end cap (36), The second annular sleeve includes the intermediate wall (94), the inner wall (28), the first end cap (34), and the second end cap (36), The adsorbent material (40) is housed in the first annular sleeve, The adsorption cartridge (91) further comprises another adsorption material (96) housed in the second annular sleeve, The adsorption cartridge (91) according to claim 1, wherein the movable compression plate (38) is disposed between the first end cap (34) and the adsorbent (40) and the other adsorbent (96).

7. The adsorption cartridge (91) according to claim 6, wherein the movable compression plate (38) further comprises a guide structure (98) extending from the bottom surface of the movable compression plate (38) between the inner wall (28) and the outer wall (30), the guide structure (98) having an opening (99) into which the intermediate wall (94) can be inserted, and the guide structure (98) is configured to guide the movable compression plate (38) when the movable compression plate (38) is biased against the adsorbent (40) and the other adsorbent (96), and when the intermediate wall (94) is inserted into the opening (99).

8. Adsorption cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 7 (24; 72), A housing (12) comprising a first housing component (14) and a second housing component (16) that can be detachably fixed to each other, wherein the housing (12) is configured to house the adsorption cartridge (24; 72), A suction module (10; 70) comprising a preloading unit (50; 74) fixed to the housing (12) and including a movable preloading member (56; 76) and a spring (58) configured to bias the movable preloading member (56; 76) toward the suction cartridge (24; 72).

9. The suction module (10) according to claim 8, wherein the movable preload member (56) has a conical surface (66) configured to contact the at least one operating element (54).

10. The suction module (70) according to claim 8, wherein the at least one operating element (82) protrudes from the movable preload member (76) and is configured to engage with the suction cartridge (72) through the opening (52) of the first end cap (34).

11. The suction module (10; 70) according to claim 8, wherein the movable preload member (56; 76) is fixed to the spring (58).

12. The suction module (10) according to claim 8, wherein the preloading unit (50) further comprises a spring support (60) fixed to the first housing component (14).

13. The first housing component (14) has a first connection port (20), The second housing component (16) has a housing space (26) for the adsorption cartridge (24), The adsorption module (10) according to claim 12, wherein the spring support (60) has a flow opening (68) that fluidly connects the first connection port (20) to the housing space (26).

14. The suction module (70) according to claim 8, further comprising a stopper (80) configured to stop the movable preload member (76).

15. Further comprising another adsorption cartridge (72) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, The housing (12) is further configured to accommodate the other adsorption cartridge (72), The suction module (70) according to claim 8, wherein the movable preload member (76) is configured to be biased toward the other suction cartridge (72).

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