Heat exchanger for adsorption dryer

Abstract

The present invention relates to a heat exchanger for transferring heat from a heat transfer medium, particularly oil, to the granular adsorbent material, which is placed in a pressure vessel having granular adsorbent material in an adsorption dryer provided for drying compressed gas, particularly compressed air. The heat exchanger has a heating section for transferring heat from the heat transfer medium to the adsorbent material, and the heating section includes a plurality of medium conduits (1202, 1402) each having at least one medium tube for guiding the heat transfer medium in the medium conduits, the heating section has a substantially cylindrical shape having a longitudinal axis, the medium conduits are arranged in a plurality of conduit planes in the direction of the longitudinal axis, the medium conduits are connected to each other and configured so that the heat transfer medium flows through the medium conduits together in parallel and / or in series, the medium conduits in adjacent conduit planes and / or adjacent conduit planes are spaced apart from each other in the direction of the longitudinal axis, and the medium conduits are configured as extruded profiles.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a heat exchanger for being disposed within a pressure vessel of an adsorption dryer. The present invention also relates to a corresponding adsorption dryer. Further, the present invention relates to a method of operating an adsorption dryer provided with the heat exchanger.

Background Art

[0002] In the field of compressed air and the like, heat exchangers having a rectangular structure are used in many applications. In this regard, various structures of heat transfer elements of the heat exchanger exist. Materials widely used for heat exchangers are aluminum or aluminum alloys. By virtue of such materials, it is possible to manufacture an extruded profile having one to a plurality of internal tubes and a relatively large surface area under economically advantageous conditions. In this case, the value of the wall thickness becomes very small, usually less than 1 mm. Therefore, the heat conduction distance inside the material becomes short. Such a profile is particularly called a "microchannel profile".

[0003] Known applications of such profiles include, for example, configuring a heat exchanger in which a plurality of microchannel profiles are arranged in parallel such that the microchannel profiles are connected to a manifold together at one end and also connected to the manifold together at the other end. One manifold is connected to a fluid inlet, and the other manifold is connected to a fluid outlet.

[0004] Individual microchannel profiles are thermally conductively connected by fins in the gaps. Fluid flows through the internal tubes of the profile, and, including the fins, ambient air, for example, can flow around the profile. Such a heat exchanger is used, for example, as a condenser of a refrigeration dryer in the field of compressed air.

[0005] Beyond heat exchangers consisting of microchannel profiles, there are known concepts for heat exchanger structures, such as heat exchangers using fins. In these, fins / sheets are arranged adjacent to each other, for example, with a few millimeters of spacing between them, and are both passed through one or more pipes.

[0006] For example, while one fluid, such as water, flows through a pipe, another fluid, such as air, flows along the surface of the pipe, including the fins. Because the fins have a large surface area, good heat exchange is possible. Various materials can be used in such heat exchangers.

[0007] Furthermore, there are heat exchanger structures that are suitable for circular installation spaces or suitable for manufacturing as circular components. One such structure is the coil tube heat exchanger, which allows long pipe sections to be placed in a compact installation space.

[0008] Furthermore, as a circular heat exchanger structure, for example, a spiral heat exchanger is known. In this structure, two concentric flow channels are formed in a spiral shape, and the two media can flow separately from each other, for example, by the principle of reverse flow or cross-flow.

[0009] As mentioned above, finned heat exchangers also exist in circular structures, such as when used in combination with a fan.

[0010] However, in the latest regeneration modes, particularly when using adsorption dryers, special requirements may arise. Such adsorption dryers can dry compressed gas in a pressure vessel filled with a desiccant. Such desiccants need to be regenerated, and for this purpose, heat supply using a heat exchanger may be useful. Therefore, heat supply by the heat exchanger must be carried out inside the desiccant. Furthermore, as shown in Patent Document 1, it is also possible to use heated compressor oil from the adsorption dryer's compressor as a heat supply.

[0011] To enable sufficient heat input to the regenerated air and drying material, a specially structured heat exchanger is required for the regeneration mode, which involves supplying heat to the desiccant using heated compressor oil. In this case, it is necessary to use appropriate materials and shapes for the heat exchanger. In addition to a large surface area, good inflow of regenerated air is particularly important. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0012] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 4898599 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0013] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to address at least one of the problems described above. In particular, we propose a solution that allows the use of a heat exchanger with respect to the function of the novel type of regeneration mode described above, which provides heat to the inside of the desiccant, especially by heated compressor oil, in order to enable the highest possible heat input to the regenerated air and the desiccant. At the very least, we propose an alternative solution to the solutions known to date. [Means for solving the problem]

[0014] According to the present invention, a heat exchanger as described in claim 1 is proposed. That is, the present invention relates to a heat exchanger for placement in a pressure vessel. The heat exchanger has a granular adsorbent, also called a desiccant, and is provided for drying compressed gas, in particular compressed air. In this case, the pressure vessel is part of an adsorption dryer. Therefore, the heat exchanger is placed in such a pressure vessel to transfer heat from a carrier medium, in particular oil, to the granular adsorbent. In this case, the transfer of heat to the granular adsorbent occurs in a regeneration mode.

[0015] Adsorption dryers, in particular, function to switch between drying and regeneration modes. The heat exchanger operates especially in regeneration mode and has a heating section for transferring heat from the heat transfer medium to the adsorbent material. Basically, the entire heating section can be called a heat exchanger, but in actual operation, the heat exchanger is also extended to include the section connecting the heating section to the supply or discharge pipe, in addition to the actual heating section where heat transfer takes place. Mounting sections for installing, or at least fixing, the heat exchanger or heating section within the pressure vessel may also be added.

[0016] The heating section, and obviously the heat exchanger, also includes a plurality of medium conduits, each having at least one medium tube, for guiding the heat transfer medium within the medium conduits, and the heating section mainly has a cylindrical shape with a longitudinal axis. In other words, the heating section includes not just one, but multiple medium conduits for guiding the heat transfer medium. In particular, oil, especially pressure compressor oil, i.e., compressor oil, may be guided through them.

[0017] The cylindrical shape is understood to be, in particular, a circular cylindrical shape. Naturally, slight deviations from an ideal circle are considered. In particular, it is proposed that the cylindrical shape of the heating element be conformed to the shape of the pressure vessel so that it can be inserted into or withdrawn from the pressure vessel in the direction of the longitudinal axis.

[0018] The media conduits are arranged in multiple conduit planes along the longitudinal axis. In other words, if the longitudinal axis is oriented perpendicularly, the multiple conduit planes are arranged vertically. This allows heating to occur across these multiple conduit planes, resulting in the most uniform heating possible within the pressure vessel.

[0019] The media conduits are configured and interconnected so that the heat transfer medium flows through them in parallel and / or in series. For example, if the heat transfer medium flows in through one collection pipe, through all the media conduits, and out again from the other collection pipe, the media conduits may be placed between two common collection pipes and thus connected in parallel. However, the media conduits may also be configured and interconnected so that the heat transfer medium flows first through one media conduit, and then from its outlet through the next media conduit. Another possible combination is that, for example, two media conduits flow in parallel, and then from their common outlet through the next two media conduits.

[0020] Furthermore, it is proposed that media conduits in adjacent conduit planes and / or adjacent conduit planes be spaced apart from each other in the direction of the longitudinal axis. In particular, they may be spaced apart from each other so as to be almost completely surrounded by the adsorbent material. The adsorbent material may be formed in particular as a bulk material and may be introduced into a pressure vessel in which a heat exchanger or its heating section is already located. The adsorbent material is also introduced into the gaps between media conduits adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction. This allows heat from the media conduits to be evenly released into the adsorbent material surrounding the media conduits.

[0021] Furthermore, it is proposed that the media conduits be formed as extruded profiles. By using extruded profiles, media conduits of virtually any shape can be formed and specified. Thus, the media conduits can form at least one medium tube each for guiding the heat transfer medium, with little dependence on the external shape of the media conduit. In other words, the media tubes can be configured to be very suitable for guiding the heat transfer medium, especially a suitable oil. Independently of this, the external shape of the media conduits can be specified to achieve good and uniform heat release to the adsorbent material and the regeneration gas used for the regeneration of the adsorbent material, especially regeneration air. Thus, a generally suitable cross-section can be specified, which also provides the necessary stability of the media conduits. Such specified shapes are well achievable by the extrusion process, and suitable materials can be used, such as aluminum or aluminum alloys, which provide excellent stability in terms of excellent thermal conductivity.

[0022] By using an extruded profile, for example, if the cross-section of the medium tube is circular, a linear outer contour can be created in each section to facilitate the attachment of heat conduction plates or fins.

[0023] Similarly, the use of extruded profiles can create suitable cross-sections that can withstand the resulting pressure difference, or in particular the pressure difference that occurs within the pressure vessel. In this case, during the regeneration phase, a positive pressure may be generated within the heat exchanger relative to the pressure in the pressure vessel; for example, the absolute pressure in the heat exchanger may be 11 bar while the absolute pressure in the pressure vessel is 1 bar or 0.3 bar.

[0024] Therefore, a heat exchanger highly suitable for use in the pressure vessel of an adsorption drying device is proposed. In the regeneration mode where the adsorbent material is dried, i.e., regenerated, this heat exchanger can sufficiently release heat to the adsorbent material and the regeneration gas flowing through for regeneration, particularly regeneration air. As the regeneration gas, a completely or partially already dried compressed gas, particularly already dried compressed air, can be used. In this case, the corresponding heat can be supplied by oil, particularly compressor oil.

[0025] According to the present invention, a heat exchanger according to claim 2 is also proposed. In this heat exchanger, a heat conducting plate is provided in the medium conduit. Thereby, the heat from the medium conduit can be better released to the adsorbent material and the regeneration gas for drying the adsorbent material, particularly regeneration air.

[0026] Furthermore, it is proposed that the heat conducting plates have an interval between two adjacent heat conducting plates of the same medium conduit such that a layer of granular adsorbent material with a maximum particle size of up to 12 mm, preferably up to 8 mm, particularly up to 5 mm is possible. Therefore, it is possible to select at least one adsorbent material, i.e., desiccant, having a maximum particle size of 5 mm. Expressed simply, the largest particles of the adsorbent material can have a diameter of 5 mm. The particle size can be defined through the equivalent diameter, i.e., the equivalent volume sphere diameter. The particle size represents the diameter that a sphere having the same volume as the non-spherical particle could have. However, in this case, another, but very similar definition based on using the maximum diagonal or the maximum diameter as the particle size is underlying. The desiccant may be formed approximately spherical, and thus these definitions do not differ so greatly.

[0027] Fin - type heat exchangers are known that achieve very good heat transfer to ambient air, or other liquid or gas media. However, it is recognized here that much more heat should be directly released to the adsorbent material. Therefore, the known delicate fins are not suitable. In addition, such delicate fins are also at risk of being damaged by the adsorbent material supplied as a bulk material.

[0028] Therefore, it is proposed to arrange heat conductive plates with spacing between them that allows for the insertion of granular material, i.e., adsorbent material. In particular, it is proposed that the heat conductive plates be aligned vertically based on an arrangement using a vertical longitudinal axis. That is, the heat conductive plates are aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis.

[0029] Preferably, the heat conductive plate has a thickness of at least 0.08 mm, and more particularly at least 0.1 mm, so that it not only conducts heat but also has sufficient stability to not be damaged by the addition of adsorbent material.

[0030] Additionally or alternatively, it is proposed that adjacent heat conduction plates of the same media conduit have a spacing of at least 6 mm, preferably at least 9 mm, and particularly at least 15 mm from each other. Such spacing ensures that granular adsorbent material having the aforementioned particle size can also be introduced between the heat conduction plates.

[0031] Therefore, heat exchangers, particularly the heating section, are well suited for use in pressure vessels for regenerating adsorbent materials in adsorption dryers.

[0032] In one embodiment, each conduit plane is provided with exactly one conduit portion that at least partially surrounds the media conduit, or at least two conduit portions of the media conduit are arranged parallel to each other, with a spacing between the conduit portions being at least 6 mm, preferably at least 9 mm, and particularly at least 15 mm, and / or allowing the introduction of granular adsorbent material with a maximum particle size of up to 12 mm, preferably up to 8 mm, and particularly up to 5 mm into the spacing. In other words, each plane is provided with a single media conduit, or with multiple media conduits, and adsorbent material can be introduced between them.

[0033] Furthermore, it is proposed that each heating element has a circular shape and / or a circular outer contour and / or at least a partially helical shape in each conduit plane.

[0034] In particular, it is recognized that the pressure vessel into which the heating element is to be inserted should have a circular cylindrical shape in order to adequately withstand the corresponding pressure. The shape of the heating element in the conduit plane is adjusted accordingly. That is, a circular shape and / or a circular outer contour are proposed. The use of a helical shape is very similar to such a circular shape. Although the helical shape differs slightly from the circular shape and is not ideal in that respect, it has the advantage that the medium flow can be easily guided through the medium conduit in a helical shape, and at the same time, multiple parts of the conduit plane can extend substantially parallel to each other. In particular, such a helical shape can adequately fill the pressure vessel while ensuring good medium flow, and at the same time, ensure good heat release from the heating element to the granular adsorbent material.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the heating element is proposed to have an outer contour that is curved in the conduit plane to conform to the internal space, in order to be placed inside a pressure vessel having a circular cylindrical or annular gap-shaped internal space.

[0036] Here again, a circular, cylindrical pressure vessel is proposed for good pressure absorption. However, the pressure vessel can also have a circular, cylindrical segmented structure inside, thereby forming a circular, cylindrical annular gap. For this reason, it is proposed to match the heating section to the inner shape of the pressure vessel. In particular, the outer contour of the heating section is adapted to this, preferably having a curved outer contour. This allows the heating section to fit well while simultaneously achieving good flow of the heat transfer medium.

[0037] Therefore, if an annular gap-shaped internal space is provided, the heating unit is adapted to the internal space and has a cylindrical shell shape of a circular cylinder, and this cylindrical shell shape can be inserted into such annular gap. However, even in this case, the heating unit is configured so that granular adsorbent material can be introduced between the individual media conduits and / or heat conduction plates.

[0038] According to one embodiment, it is proposed that at least one media tube has an average diameter, the media conduit to the media tube has a wall thickness, the ratio of the average diameter to the wall thickness of the media tube is in the range of 2 to 50, particularly 5 to 25, and / or the wall thickness is 0.15 mm to 2 mm, particularly 0.15 mm to 1.5 mm.

[0039] Here, we can assume a circular medium, and its diameter corresponds to the average diameter. If a circular shape does not exist, the diameter can be calculated from the average value between the maximum and minimum diameters. Therefore, the wall thickness is the thickness of the wall between the medium and the outer contour of the medium conduit. Here, we can specifically use the minimum wall thickness as the reference.

[0040] It is recognized here that, in particular, an average diameter that is significantly larger than the wall thickness is desirable, and that such a profile provides sufficient stability while simultaneously allowing sufficient heat conduction from the medium tube to the outside. Specifically, an average diameter of at least five times the wall thickness is proposed to obtain good flow characteristics of the heat transfer medium. This allows oil to be used effectively as the heat transfer medium and to flow smoothly without causing excessive pressure drops in the medium tube.

[0041] By setting the wall thickness to at least 0.15 mm, up to a maximum of 2 mm, and especially between 0.15 mm and 1.5 mm, high stability and good heat transfer of the media conduit can be achieved simultaneously.

[0042] In one embodiment, each media conduit has an elongated cross-section having a longitudinal dimension in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the heating section and a transverse dimension intersecting the longitudinal dimension, wherein the longitudinal dimension is proposed to be at least 1.5 times, and particularly at least 2 times, the transverse dimension. The longitudinal dimension can also be expressed as the diameter of the media conduit in the longitudinal direction, and the transverse dimension can be expressed as the diameter of the media conduit in the direction intersecting the longitudinal axis.

[0043] In other words, the cross-section of the media conduit is configured such that the media conduit creates very little flow resistance to the compressed or regenerated gas in the longitudinal direction, while having more surfaces suitable for heat dissipation in the transverse direction. Since the pressure vessel, and by extension the heating section, is permeated by the compressed or regenerated gas mainly in the longitudinal direction, that is, along the longitudinal axis of the heating section, the flow resistance of the media conduit to this flow is small, and a lot of heat can be released at the same time.

[0044] Additionally or alternatively, each media conduit has at least two media tubes extending parallel to each other, and these at least two parallel media tubes are aligned with each other and spaced apart in the direction of the longitudinal axis. That is, if the longitudinal axis is perpendicular, these media tubes are arranged vertically. This also fits well with the elongated cross-section of the media conduit, which can be obtained by aligning in the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal axis or by arranging multiple media tubes in this way. This allows the heat transfer medium to flow well through the media conduit, laminar flow is promoted by the division into multiple media tubes, and at the same time the media conduits provide slight flow resistance to the compressed gas flowing through the pressure vessel.

[0045] While a configuration with multiple media tubes is preferable, alternative configurations may offer advantages in providing only one media tube in the media conduit. This allows for easier construction of the media conduit and enables a greater number of adjacent conduit planes within the pressure vessel. When there are more adjacent conduit planes, these planes can be better surrounded by granular adsorbent material, thereby achieving good heat transfer from the media conduit to the adsorbent material.

[0046] In one embodiment, it is proposed that the media conduit be formed as an extruded profile, particularly made of aluminum and / or an aluminum alloy. Herein, it is recognized that this allows the media conduit to be easily manufactured into a desired shape. In particular, the media conduit can be manufactured as described above, and the ratio of the average diameter to the wall thickness of the media conduit described above can be achieved by this. Furthermore, the desired wall thickness can also be achieved as described above.

[0047] By using aluminum or an aluminum alloy as the material, such an extrusion process can be executed smoothly while simultaneously obtaining good thermal conductivity, so that heat from the carrier medium can be effectively released through the extruded profile to the surroundings, especially granular adsorbent materials.

[0048] In one embodiment, the heating section has a plurality of collection pipes, each of which includes a supply pipe for supplying a heat transfer medium and a discharge pipe for discharging the heat transfer medium. The supply pipe and the discharge pipe are arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis, and the medium conduits are arranged between the supply pipe and the discharge pipe, respectively. Thus, it is proposed that the heat transfer medium flows through the medium conduits in parallel from the supply pipe to the discharge pipe. Particularly preferably, the collection pipes formed as a manifold connect a plurality of medium conduits. While it is conceivable that only supply pipes and discharge pipes exist as collection pipes, it is also possible to provide additional collection pipes, for example, to form further subdivision and / or series connections between the medium conduits.

[0049] Therefore, the supply pipe and the discharge pipe are arranged parallel to each other, with the media conduit placed between them. In essence, the supply pipe and the discharge pipe are also connected in their individual conduit planes. In this case, the supply pipe and the discharge pipe may extend adjacent to each other, with a distance between them that is smaller than the average diameter of each supply pipe, or at least smaller than two or three times the diameter of either the supply pipe or the discharge pipe.

[0050] In particular, when the media conduits are arranged in a circular pattern, the conduits can form a semicircle or nearly a perfect circle from the supply pipe to the discharge pipe. Therefore, the heat transfer medium can be easily supplied and discharged through the supply and discharge pipes. This allows the heating section to be formed in an easy and rational manner.

[0051] The supply and discharge pipes can be extended linearly to lead out from the pressure vessel.

[0052] Whether the supply and discharge pipes are routed linearly or not, such a heating section configuration allows for easy insertion into or removal from a pressure vessel in the longitudinal direction. At least, such a shape may be advantageous when the heating section is inserted into a cylindrical pressure vessel.

[0053] In one embodiment, two media conduits adjacent to each other in the direction of their longitudinal axis are separated by a longitudinal distance representing the free distance between them, and it is proposed that the longitudinal distance corresponds to at least the minimum thickness of the media conduits. In other words, a minimum distance of at least the same thickness as the media conduits is provided between the two media conduits in the longitudinal direction. If the media conduits are of different sizes, the thickness of the smaller media conduit is used.

[0054] In particular, it is proposed that the longitudinal spacing corresponds to at least twice the minimum thickness of the media conduit, and especially up to five times the minimum thickness of the media conduit.

[0055] In this context, the minimum thickness of the media conduit is used as the standard. If the media conduit has an elongated cross-section and is always aligned in the longitudinal direction, that is, with respect to the longitudinal axis of the heating section, the thickness measured intersecting the longitudinal axis is used. Therefore, two media conduits adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction do not need to be separated by the same distance as their respective longitudinal extensions, but must be separated by at least the same distance as they are separated in the transverse direction.

[0056] The underlying idea here is that the media conduits need to be surrounded as effectively as possible by the adsorbent material, by filling the longitudinal spacing, or free spacing, that is, the gap that actually exists between the two media conduits.

[0057] As previously suggested, such spacing should be based on the maximum particle size of the adsorbent material. Here again, it is proposed that two adjacent media conduits spaced apart in the longitudinal direction have a spacing such that the granular adsorbent material fits within this free spacing. Therefore, preferably, the free spacing corresponds to at least 1.2 times the maximum particle size of the adsorbent material.

[0058] However, it is recognized here that the media conduits are also matched to the adsorbent material used, particularly the maximum particle size, and therefore the dimensions of the media conduits are also a good criterion for the size of the spacing between them. Therefore, a free spacing matched to the minimum thickness of the media conduits is proposed here.

[0059] Therefore, it may be advantageous for the longitudinal spacing to correspond to at least twice the thickness of the media conduit. This is because, in particular, it is possible to consider that the media conduit has a very small thickness lateral to the longitudinal axis, so the longitudinal spacing between two adjacent media conduits should be at least twice as large. Preferably, the longitudinal spacing is up to five times the minimum thickness of the media conduit. Here, it is recognized that spacing that is too large can be disadvantageous, because although a good layer of granular adsorbent material can be obtained, the heat input deteriorates significantly due to the wide spacing of the media conduits. Therefore, the free spacing is preferably in the range of two to five times the thickness of the media conduit.

[0060] In one embodiment, adjacent media conduits or adjacent media conduit portions on the same conduit plane are connected by a heat conductive plate, and / or, multiple media conduits or multiple media conduit portions are guided parallel to each other through multiple heat conductive plates connecting them in the lateral direction, or, if the media conduit is formed as an extruded profile, the extruded profile does not have a heat conductive plate protruding from the extruded profile.

[0061] In other words, adjacent media conduits in the same conduit plane are arranged adjacent to each other in the horizontal plane, provided their longitudinal axes are formed perpendicularly. These media conduits may be connected to thermal conductive plates, which may be placed between them. Such thermal conductive plates may be provided, for example, by soldering or by other means, particularly by material connection.

[0062] This results in efficient heat dissipation because the heat conductive plate additionally dissipates heat from the conduit. Furthermore, high stability is achieved in the relevant conduit plane.

[0063] When the media conduits are arranged in a spiral, this means that the same media conduits are connected to themselves by heat conduction plates, because the spiral shape makes the media conduits essentially parallel to themselves. In this case, at least several sections of the media conduit are adjacent to each other. In the spiral shape described above, the connection with the heat conduction plates also provides particularly high stability.

[0064] It is also conceivable that the heat conduction plate is provided such that multiple media conduits spaced apart from each other are guided through it. That is, when two media conduits are arranged parallel to each other, each heat conduction plate has two openings (e.g., two holes), and one media conduit passes through each opening. In this case, it is obvious that contact is formed between the heat conduction plate and the media conduit. In particular, a material connection can be formed between the heat conduction plate and the media conduit here as well. As a manufacturing possibility, it is proposed that for each media conduit, a tubular portion be formed in each plate; that is, two pipe portions be formed in the case of two parallel media conduits, and the pipe portions of adjacent heat conduction plates be inserted into each other, thereby forming one media conduit each. Basically, it is also conceivable that the media conduits be arranged or formed in a spiral shape, but the manufacturing process would be relatively complex.

[0065] When using extruded profiles, it is particularly suggested that the extruded profiles be configured such that they already have an outer contour suitable for dissipating heat, which may eliminate the need for a heat conduction plate.

[0066] According to the present invention, an adsorption dryer is further proposed. This adsorption dryer is provided for drying compressed gas, particularly compressed air. This adsorption dryer is, At least one pressure vessel, Adsorbent material for adsorbing moisture from compressed gas filled in a pressure vessel, A drying inlet for introducing compressed gas for drying, A drying outlet for discharging the compressed gas after drying, In drying mode, the drying section is where compressed gas flows from the drying inlet to the drying outlet, A pressure vessel having at least one, A heat exchanger relating to at least one embodiment of the above-described embodiment, At least one of the heating sections of the heat exchanger is located inside the pressure vessel. Each heating element is surrounded by an adsorbent material, which is formed as a granular bulk material. At least one heat exchanger, It is equipped with.

[0067] In other words, the adsorbent material is provided to adsorb moisture from the compressed gas, and the adsorbent material is filled inside the pressure vessel. Moisture adsorption occurs in particular in a working process in which the compressed gas is guided along the adsorbent material so that it passes through the compressed gas vessel for drying. Correspondingly, a drying inlet is provided for introducing the compressed gas for drying, and a drying outlet is provided for discharging the compressed gas after drying. In between, there is a drying section, in which the compressed gas is dried as it flows through the drying section from the drying inlet to the drying outlet in drying mode. In some cases, particularly for structural reasons and / or functional challenges, it may not be possible to completely fill the pressure vessel with the adsorbent material. In this case, the pressure vessel has transitional regions to the adsorbent material in the regions of the drying inlet and / or drying outlet, respectively, and the adsorbent material is not present in these transitional regions. Each transitional region may occupy approximately 3% to 10% of the length from the drying inlet to the drying outlet. The drying section is referred to as the section within the adsorbent material, i.e., the section from the drying inlet to the drying outlet, minus at least one transitional region.

[0068] Therefore, the heat exchanger is provided to heat the adsorbent material. For this purpose, the heat exchanger, at least together with its heating section, is located within the corresponding pressure vessel. The heating section has, in particular, media conduits, which are spaced apart so that there is sufficient space between adjacent media conduits for granular adsorbent material to be introduced between them.

[0069] Therefore, the heat exchanger according to the present invention can be used in such an adsorption dryer. In this case, the heat exchanger operates particularly in a regeneration mode or regeneration stage in which the adsorbent material that has absorbed moisture from the compressed gas is dried again. For this purpose, a compressed gas, such as dried compressed air, can be reintroduced into the pressure vessel. This can be done, for example, in the reverse direction from when the compressed air is dried, that is, in the direction from the drying outlet through the drying section back to the drying inlet. All the advantages and features of the heat exchanger mentioned above can also be applied to its use in an adsorption dryer. The properties of the adsorbent material, particularly the particle size, as described above in relation to the heat exchanger configuration can also be applied here. In particular, the adsorbent material may have a maximum particle size of up to 12 mm, preferably up to 8 mm, and especially up to 5 mm.

[0070] In one embodiment, the drying section has a first region facing the drying inlet and a second region facing the drying outlet, with heating units arranged in the first region and, in particular, no heating units provided in the second region. Therefore, the first and second regions are provided along the drying section, and preferably, the first region extends over at least 20%, preferably at least 30%, and particularly at least 40% of the drying section, and preferably up to 70%, and particularly up to 60% of the drying section. Heating units are arranged in this region. In particular, outside the heating region, heating is not performed, or if it is performed, the energy input per unit volume is reduced to less than 30% compared to the heating region.

[0071] This is based on the idea that the heating region is only necessary during the regeneration phase. During the regeneration phase, it is assumed that the regeneration gas, particularly regeneration air, flows from the drying outlet towards the drying inlet, first passing through a region without a heating section, i.e., a second region, and only then passing through a region with a heating section, and therefore where heating takes place. Here, it is recognized that the regeneration gas, i.e., the gas that flows through the pressure vessel for regeneration, i.e., drying of the adsorbent material, particularly regeneration air, is still very dry upon inflow and therefore can absorb sufficient moisture from the adsorbent material. Furthermore, in this configuration, it is expected that the adsorbent material absorbs more moisture in the first region than in the second region. In the second region, the need for drying, i.e., regeneration, is reduced. At the same time, the regeneration air itself is still very dry and can absorb moisture more effectively.

[0072] Therefore, according to one embodiment, it has been proposed to provide a switching device for switching between a drying mode and a regeneration mode, in which regeneration gas flows through the pressure vessel and the drying section from the drying outlet to the drying inlet, thereby removing moisture from the adsorbent material, heating the first region, and not heating the second region or heating it less.

[0073] The regenerating gas may be regenerating air, i.e., dry air. In other words, the regenerating gas flows in the opposite direction compared to the drying mode. That is, the regenerating gas first reaches the adsorbent material that the compressed gas, which is to be dried in the drying mode, last reached.

[0074] In one embodiment, the pressure vessel is proposed to have an annular gap space and a cylindrical internal space surrounded by the annular gap space, and the annular gap space and the cylindrical internal space are connected to each other such that compressed gas can flow from the drying inlet through the annular gap space and then through the cylindrical internal space to the drying outlet for drying, and the heating part of the heat exchanger is located within the annular gap space, or compressed gas can flow from the drying inlet through the cylindrical internal space and then through the annular gap space to the drying outlet for drying, and the heating parts of the heat exchanger are located within the respective cylindrical internal spaces.

[0075] This can create a solution in which both the compressed gas to be dried and the regenerated gas flow into and out of the compression vessel from the same side, that is, if the pressure vessels are installed vertically, they can flow in from below and flow out downwards, for example. In particular, a circular heating section can be easily and rationally formed by dividing the pressure vessel so that the heating section is located in an annular gap, especially using a circular conduit section. This makes it possible to avoid the heating section precisely at the radial center and avoids very small bending diameters of the media conduit. This is based on the understanding that it is not necessary to form the entire drying section to have a heating section, and therefore, by cleverly forming the flow path with cylindrical regions and annular gap-shaped regions, a modification can be created in which the radial center can be excluded from the heating section.

[0076] However, if the heating element is located only within a cylindrical internal space, the opposite configuration may also be advantageous. In this variation, it is possible to configure the heating element so that it is generally limited to a smaller diameter within the pressure space, which is smaller than the overall diameter of the pressure space.

[0077] According to one aspect, The adsorbent material is formed as granular bulk material with a maximum particle size of up to 12 mm, preferably up to 8 mm, and particularly up to 5 mm, and / or as granular bulk material with a particle size in the range of 1 mm to 12 mm, preferably 1.5 mm to 8 mm, and particularly 2 mm to 5 mm. The heating section is configured such that the adsorbent material surrounds the medium conduit, and in particular, The media conduit has a heat conductive plate, and the adsorbent material is also present between the heat conductive plates. It is proposed that this be done.

[0078] Adsorption dryers, and therefore pressure vessels incorporating heat exchangers or heating sections, have such granular adsorbent material, and the heating section and adsorbent material are arranged relative to each other such that the adsorbent material almost completely surrounds the heating section. However, the adsorbent material is also placed in areas of the pressure vessel where no heating section exists. In other words, the pressure vessel is filled with adsorbent material as completely as possible.

[0079] Additionally or alternatively, it is proposed that the spacing between adjacent medium conduits and / or adjacent heat conduction plates corresponds to at least 1.2 times, up to 5 times, preferably up to 3 times, and particularly up to 2 times, the maximum particle size of the adsorbent material. This ensures good heat input, as the adsorbent material fits well between the conduits or heat conduction plates as bulk material, and at the same time avoids excessive spacing.

[0080] Adjacent media conduits can also be understood as two parts of the same media conduit, for example, when the media conduits are arranged in a helical or meandering manner and two such parts are adjacent to each other. Here, it is recognized that good heat transfer can be obtained from each media conduit or heat conduction plate to the packed granular adsorbent material if the geometric structure of the heat exchanger or its heating section is formed such that all elements, including the media conduits and heat conduction plates, if present, are surrounded by the adsorbent material from as many sides as possible, insofar as the sides are free.

[0081] According to the present invention, a compressed gas system for supplying dry compressed gas, particularly compressed air, has also been proposed in conjunction with an adsorption dryer, the compressed gas system having a compressor for generating compressed gas, the compressor operating using compressor oil, and a heat exchanger connected to the compressor for using the compressor oil or a portion thereof as a heat transfer medium.

[0082] Here, it is particularly recognized that compressors operating in known ways use compressor oil that is heated when compressing a gas, especially air, into compressed air. Such heated compressor oil needs to be cooled again to prevent overheating of the entire compressor. Another benefit of cooling the oil is that it improves the efficiency of the compressor, and consequently, the compression efficiency.

[0083] For this reason, compressor oil can be used as a heat transfer medium in a heat exchanger. There, heat is released from the compressor oil to the adsorbent material and regenerated gas, thereby cooling the compressor oil. However, if the heat generated by the compressor in the compressor oil is insufficient, it may be considered to further heat the compressor oil before supplying it to the heat exchanger.

[0084] Here, it is recognized that this, in particular, allows the adsorption dryer to be operated in a particularly energy-efficient manner. In this configuration, the heat exchanger is adjusted to use compressor oil as the heat transfer medium. Specifically, the inner diameter of the medium tube in at least one medium conduit is selected to allow the relatively viscous compressor oil to pass through the heat exchanger.

[0085] According to the present invention, a method for operating a compressed gas system having an adsorption dryer equipped with at least one heat exchanger has also been proposed. Adsorption dryers are, It is provided for drying compressed gas, especially compressed air. At least one pressure vessel, Adsorbent material for adsorbing moisture from compressed gas filled in a pressure vessel, A drying inlet for introducing compressed gas for drying, A drying outlet for discharging the compressed gas after drying, A drying section in which compressed gas flows from the drying inlet to the drying outlet in drying mode, At least one pressure vessel, At least one heat exchanger, At least one heating element of a heat exchanger is located inside the pressure vessel. Each heating element is surrounded by an adsorbent material, which is formed as a granular bulk material. At least one heat exchanger, It has this. For this reason, It has been proposed that the adsorption dryer be configured according to any of the above-described embodiments relating to the adsorption dryer, and / or the heat exchanger be configured according to any of the above-described embodiments relating to the heat exchanger.

[0086] This method is A step of operating a pressure vessel in a drying mode in which compressed gas is guided through the pressure vessel from the drying inlet to the drying outlet in order to release moisture from the adsorbent material, A step of operating a pressure vessel in a regeneration mode in which a regenerated gas, particularly compressed air, particularly dry compressed air, is guided through a drying section, particularly from the drying outlet to the drying inlet, thereby allowing the regenerated gas to pass through the adsorbent material and flow along the heating section of the heat exchanger in order to absorb moisture from the adsorbent material. In the regeneration mode, the process includes the steps of heating the heat exchanger with a heat transfer medium and releasing heat from the heat transfer medium to the regeneration gas and adsorbent material, and in particular, The compressor oil from the adsorption dryer's compressor is used as the heat transfer medium.

[0087] Therefore, the method is intended for the operation of a compressed gas system equipped with an adsorption dryer. Such an adsorption dryer has a heat exchanger located in a pressure vessel. The adsorption dryer and / or heat exchanger can be configured and operated as described above.

[0088] In particular, the pressure vessel operates in a drying mode and a regeneration mode, that is, alternately. First, the pressure vessel operates in drying mode, in which compressed gas is guided through the pressure vessel for drying. During this time, the adsorbent material absorbs moisture from the compressed gas. Subsequently, when the adsorbent material has absorbed a corresponding amount of moisture, the pressure vessel operates in regeneration mode. During this time, moisture is again removed from the adsorbent material by the regeneration gas.

[0089] In this regeneration mode, the heat exchanger, which does not operate in particular in drying mode, is activated. However, in regeneration mode, the adsorbent material is heated, which directly and indirectly heats the regeneration gas, so that the regeneration gas can absorb more moisture and the adsorbent material can be dried more effectively.

[0090] For this reason, in regeneration mode, the heat exchanger is heated by a heat transfer medium, and the heat transfer medium is guided to pass through the heat exchanger, particularly through the medium conduits.

[0091] In particular, it is proposed that the heat transfer medium be the compressor oil of the compressor that generates compressed gas for the adsorption dryer. This allows the compressed gas system, which can also be called a compressed gas generator, equipped with an adsorption dryer, to operate with particularly high energy efficiency.

[0092] In particular, such adsorption dryers have at least two pressure vessels that operate alternately, with one pressure vessel operating in drying mode while the other operates in regeneration mode. This operating mode alternates between the two pressure vessels. As a result, the compressor oil of the adsorption dryer's compressor is always used to heat and cool the heat exchanger in one of the pressure vessels. For this purpose, the compressor oil is supplied to the heat exchanger of the pressure vessel that is operating in regeneration mode.

[0093] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings and with examples. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0094] [Figure 1] This is a diagram illustrating an adsorption type dryer in a functional manner. [Figure 2] This is a diagram illustrating an adsorption type dryer in a functional manner. [Figure 3] This diagram illustrates the use of space within a pressure vessel. [Figure 4] This figure shows various possible embodiments of a heat exchanger. [Figure 5] This figure shows various possible embodiments of a heat exchanger. [Figure 6] This figure shows various possible embodiments of a heat exchanger. [Figure 7] This figure shows various possible embodiments of a heat exchanger. [Figure 8] This figure shows various possible embodiments of a heat exchanger. [Figure 9] This figure shows various possible embodiments of a heat exchanger. [Figure 10] This figure shows various possible embodiments of a heat exchanger. [Figure 11] This figure shows various possible embodiments of a heat exchanger. [Figure 12] This figure shows various possible embodiments of a heat exchanger. [Figure 13]This is a diagram illustrating the structure of a pressure vessel with an annular gap. [Figure 14] This is a diagram illustrating another possible shape of the heat exchanger. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0095] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the compressed gas system 100. The compressed gas system 100 includes a compressor 1 and an adsorption dryer 102. The compressor 1, which may also be called a compressor, operates in conjunction with an oil cooler 2, an oil separation container 3, and a compressed air cooler 4, which will be described in more detail below. The compressor supplies compressed air to the adsorption device 102, which is installed between two valves 5 and 6.

[0096] The adsorption dryer 102 has two pressure vessels 7 and 8, which can be simply called "containers". In particular, these two pressure vessels 7 and 8 operate alternately, one in drying mode and the other in regeneration mode. For this purpose, by appropriately setting valves 5 and 6, compressed gas can be supplied to either of the two vessels 7 and 8 in order to dry in drying mode.

[0097] The two containers 7 and 8 each have an upper portion 7a / 8a and a lower portion 7b / 8b. Both containers are filled with an adsorbent material, indicated as granular material.

[0098] The two containers 7 and 8 each have a drying inlet 103 / 104 and a drying outlet 105 / 106. Therefore, in the illustrated embodiment, the drying inlets 103 and 104 are located on the lower side, and the drying outlets 105 and 106 are located on the upper side. Thus, in drying mode, the compressed air to be dried flows from bottom to top, and the regenerated air flows from top to bottom.

[0099] The lower portions 7b / 8b of containers 7 and 8 can be heated using heaters 16 / 17, which form heating devices, respectively. Thus, when compressed air flows in from the drying inlet 103 or 104, it first passes through the heating region (which is not active in drying mode) and then through the upper portions 7a / 8a. In regeneration mode, regeneration air flows from top to bottom, i.e., flows in from the drying outlet 105 or 106, first flows through the upper portions 7a / 8a, and then flows through the lower portions 7b / 8b, which can receive or form a heating region. In regeneration mode, the heaters 16 / 17 are activated, respectively.

[0100] In drying mode, the dry compressed air flows out from either the drying outlet 105 or the drying outlet 106, depending on which of the two containers 7 and 8 is operating in drying mode, and mainly flows toward the valve 12, which may also be called the discharge valve, and from there toward the dryer outlet 13, i.e., the outlet of the entire adsorption device 102. However, it is possible to connect an auxiliary container equipped with adsorption material to compensate for fluctuations in the humidity level of the dry compressed air, which is specified in one embodiment but is not shown here for simplification.

[0101] Simultaneously, a portion of the dry compressed air is guided through throttle valves 10 and 11 upstream of valve 12, and either or both of these throttle valves reduce the pressure of the dry compressed air, particularly to near ambient pressure. Which of the two throttle valves 10 or 11 reduces the pressure, and by how much, depends on which of the two vessels 7 and 8 is in drying mode and which is in regeneration mode. In either case, a portion of the dry compressed air is transferred through these two throttle valves 10 and 11, controlled by a valve 9 positioned between them, from the vessel operating in drying mode to the vessel operating in regeneration mode.

[0102] Therefore, a container operating in regeneration mode receives regeneration air at the drying outlet 105 or 106, which flows through each container 7 or 8, in the process through the lower portion 7b / 8b which can be considered a heating region, and finally exits at the drying inlet 103 or 104. From there, the regeneration air is discharged into the surroundings through the valve 18 or 19 and the downstream silencer 20 or 21.

[0103] One possible embodiment is shown in a simplified form in Figure 1. Air is compressed by a compressor 1. At this time, oil cooled in an oil cooler 2 is injected into the compressor. The mixture of high-temperature compressed air and oil is separated in an oil separation container 3. The compressed air passes from the oil separation container to a compressed air cooler 4 and is cooled in the compressed air cooler 4.

[0104] Similarly, the oil temperature or temperature level can be increased by passing all or part of the oil through the compressor's oil heat exchanger 2 in a bypass manner and supplying it to the compressor block at a higher temperature.

[0105] A particularly efficient embodiment that utilizes the waste heat of the compression process is shown in Figure 2. This structure corresponds to the structure in Figure 1, which includes specific embodiments of heaters 16 and 17.

[0106] By opening valve 14 or 15, hot oil from the compressor can flow through heaters 16 and 17. If neither heater is operating, valves 14 and 15 are closed and valve 22 opens instead.

[0107] It is recognized that pressure vessels are typically configured in a circular shape for the use of compressed air, because this allows for relatively thin wall thicknesses at the corresponding operating pressure. This, in particular, reduces the cost and weight of the pressure vessel. Since the heat exchanger is located within the pressure vessel, it is proposed that the heat exchanger have a shape compatible with the pressure vessel. In the regions where heating is desired, it is desirable that as few, if any, regions remain where only insufficient heat input is possible, for example, if the elements of the heat exchanger are too far apart, as this can reduce the efficiency of the regeneration mode. Therefore, it is preferable that all regions to be heated are sufficiently reachable within the heat exchanger, especially in the direction perpendicular to the flow. Consequently, the use of a rectangular heat exchanger within a circular pressure vessel is not very suitable, as illustrated in Figure 3.

[0108] Alternatively, areas where sufficient heat cannot be introduced from the heat exchanger can be blocked with filler material, preventing their use for filling with desiccant. This is shown in the four gray lateral areas in Figure 3. However, this not only incurs additional costs due to the filler material, but also necessitates an additional increase in the dimensions of the pressure vessel to allow the same amount of desiccant to be used, which is considered undesirable.

[0109] It is recognized that the individual elements of a heat exchanger, particularly the media conduits, should be spaced appropriately apart from each other. If the spacing is too large, the heat input to the desiccant passing through it decreases, reducing the efficiency of the regeneration mode when the regeneration airflow is constant. If the spacing is too small, there is less space left for the desiccant between the gaps. In particular, with granular desiccant layers, spacing that is too narrow between the elements of the heat exchanger is disadvantageous because it becomes difficult to fill or discharge the granular material, or the desiccant granules can clog, making filling or discharge impossible.

[0110] The appropriate spacing between individual elements of a heat exchanger starts slightly larger than the diameter of the desiccant, or, in the case of a polydisperse layer, one times the maximum particle size. A meaningful upper limit for this spacing is approximately two to three times the diameter, i.e., two or three times the maximum particle size. Heat input is still possible even if the spacing exceeds this value, but the effect is relatively weaker.

[0111] Each element of the heat exchanger needs to have the most appropriate shape possible, particularly a large surface area, in order to achieve adequate heat input in the surrounding area, i.e., the area through which the desiccant flows, even though the temperature of the heated oil is relatively low.

[0112] Ideally, especially when using granular desiccants, it is preferable that as few elements of the heat exchanger as possible be formed as continuous units in the direction of regeneration gas flow, i.e., the longitudinal direction. Such surfaces can be considered additional walls in the layer region. The porosity of the layer increases toward the walls, reaching a value of 1 at the walls. Consequently, a somewhat excessive velocity occurs near the walls, which occurs at the expense of the adsorption equilibrium between the permeating gas, particularly the permeating air, and the desiccant. As a result, the drying and regeneration properties of the structure are reduced.

[0113] Since oil has a higher viscosity than, for example, water, care must be taken to appropriately design the dimensions of the tubes within the heat exchanger in order to keep the oil pressure loss within an appropriate range. Considering this point, it is suggested that at least one medium tube be selected.

[0114] The central aspects of the present invention will be described below with reference to examples and accompanying drawings.

[0115] A heat exchanger for circular installation spaces has been proposed, which, as mentioned above, is advantageous for use in pressure vessels. The heat exchanger is configured to not only fill and discharge granular desiccant into its gaps, but also to introduce sufficient heat into this layer of desiccant. The heat exchanger may consist of a curved microchannel profile to form a heat exchanger for circular installation spaces. The advantages of this profile are as described above, or evident from the recognition and described disadvantages of the prior art. Similarly, the heat exchanger may be configured as a finned heat exchanger. The heat exchanger of special structure proposed here can also be called a heat exchanger of special structure, as it also takes into account the structure of the pressure vessel that affects its structure. Furthermore, the heat exchanger is also provided for use in the new type of adsorption drying process described above.

[0116] Figure 4 shows a heat exchanger with a special structure suitable for use in a new type of adsorption drying process. The heat exchanger 1200 is shown in perspective and top view. This heat exchanger has, for example, 12 media conduits 1202, and therefore 12 conduit planes, the number of conduit planes may be, for example, 6 or 18 or more or fewer. The 12 media conduits 1202 are located between the supply pipe 1204 and the discharge pipe 1206. The heat exchanger 1200 shown in the figure combines the advantages of being well integrated into a circular pressure vessel with the advantages of a microchannel profile, including the characteristics described above. The spacing between individual heat exchanger elements, i.e., between media conduits, or between media conduit sections, can be optimally determined by a structurally individually determinable spiral winding spacing, called the spacing 1208. One turn of the spiral media conduit 1202 can be called a media conduit section, or synonymously a conduit section. The interval 1208 is the distance between two media conduit sections, or the distance between two conduit sections.

[0117] The spacing 1208 is at least 6 mm, preferably at least 9 mm, and particularly at least 15 mm, and / or allows for layers of granular adsorbent material 1280 with a maximum particle size of up to 12 mm, preferably up to 8 mm, and particularly up to 5 mm, in the spacing 1208.

[0118] The media conduit 1202 flows in parallel here from the supply pipe 1204 to the discharge pipe 1206. As an example, granular adsorbent material 1280 is depicted, which is intended to completely surround the heat exchanger 1200 within a fully equipped pressure vessel into which the heat exchanger 1200 is to be inserted. Here, the granular adsorbent material is depicted for illustrative purposes only to show that it can be arranged both horizontally and vertically between the media conduits 1202 or media conduit sections 1202, thereby surrounding each media conduit 1202.

[0119] Figure 4 further shows an enlarged portion A, schematically illustrating that the granular adsorbent material 1280 can also be arranged vertically between the media conduits. Therefore, the granular adsorbent material 1280 may also be arranged between the conduit planes 1203. Thus, portion A shows two conduit planes 1203 and the granular adsorbent material 1280 arranged between them.

[0120] The media conduit 1202 in Figure 4 has a very flat cross-section and is formed as an extruded profile, which makes this cross-sectional shape possible.

[0121] A manifold, i.e., a supply pipe 1204, serves as a common fluid inlet for all microchannel profiles, and a manifold, i.e., a discharge pipe 1206, serves as a common fluid outlet, thereby enabling the formation of microchannel tubes within the medium conduit 1202, or allowing all medium tubes forming the medium conduit 1202 to flow in parallel. This is advantageous in terms of pressure loss compared to flowing through all tubes in series, especially when oil is used as the fluid flowing through the tubes. However, in different embodiments, the profiles within the manifold may be connected in such a way that partial or complete series flow is possible.

[0122] The manifold can be formed in a circular shape as a tube, or in any shape as illustrated in Figure 5. Figure 5 shows a top view of a heat exchanger 1300 with a media conduit 1302. The discharge pipe 1306 is provided in a different shape than in Figure 4.

[0123] Figure 6 shows a top view of another heat exchanger 1400, equipped with a supply pipe 1404 and a discharge pipe 1406. To further improve heat input, heat conduction plates 1410, also called fins, can be provided between the individual windings of the microchannel profile, i.e., the media conduits 1402. These heat conduction plates can be thermally conductively connected to the microchannel profile on one side or on both sides, as shown in Figure 6. In particular, the heat conduction plates or fins are positioned almost perpendicular to each microchannel profile or media conduit and protrude perpendicularly from them. The connection is preferably materially connected. In this case, as mentioned above, care must be taken to ensure an appropriate spacing between two adjacent heat conduction plates 1410 or fins. Here, the use of fins is shown as an example, but it is also applicable as an option in the following configurations. Figure 6 shows the heat conduction plates 1410 and fins only in part for illustrative purposes. However, it is preferable that these be arranged over a wider area, particularly over almost the entire section from supply pipe 1404 to discharge pipe 1406, covering at least 50% of the section.

[0124] The spacing between the media conduits or media conduit sections of the heat exchanger 1400 may correspond to the spacing described for the heat exchanger 1200 in Figure 4. Correspondingly, granular adsorbent material 1480 may be placed between the media conduits or media conduit sections. Figure 6 further shows that heat conduction plates 1410 allow the granular adsorbent material 1480 to be fitted between the heat conduction plates 1410. Although the granular adsorbent material 1480 and heat conduction plates 1410 are shown as examples of small areas in Figure 6, they are basically provided for the entire heat exchanger 1400, or for the entire heating area in which the heat exchanger 1400 is to be placed.

[0125] The connection between the profile and the manifold can be made before or after the profile is formed, and for this purpose, a material-connecting joining method such as soldering may be used.

[0126] Another embodiment is configured in which the manifold is located in the outer region of the heat exchanger, as shown in Figure 7. Thus, Figure 7 shows the heat exchanger 1500 in perspective and top view, and the heat exchanger 1500 has a medium conduit 1502 between a supply pipe 1504 and an outlet pipe 1506, which are formed here as a manifold.

[0127] Another embodiment is shown in Figure 8, in which concentric rings consisting of microchannel profiles are used, the rings forming a medium conduit 1602 as shown in Figure 8, and the manifolds are interconnected by U-pipes. The end faces of the manifolds that are not interconnected are closed. Thus, Figure 8 shows a heat exchanger 1600 in perspective and top view, the heat exchanger 1600 is configured to have a medium conduit 1602 between a supply pipe 1604 and a discharge pipe 1606, and further collection pipes 1612 formed here as manifolds.

[0128] In another embodiment, a concentric ring consisting of a microchannel profile is used, the ring forming a media conduit 1702, and the manifold consists of, for example, an extruded double tube (see Figure 9). This allows for a compact structure and the placement of the manifold in a common area. Thus, Figure 9 shows a heat exchanger 1700 in perspective and top view, which has a media conduit 1702 between a supply pipe 1704 and a discharge pipe 1706, and is configured to have a further collection pipe 1712 formed as a manifold. The spacing 1708 between the media conduits 1702 is similarly shown.

[0129] Another embodiment of a heat exchanger with a special structure may be a meandering shape (see Figure 10). When forming it, attention must be paid to the minimum bending radius of the profile. Thus, Figure 10 shows the heat exchanger 1800 in perspective and top view, and the heat exchanger 1800 is configured to have a medium conduit 1802 between a supply pipe 1804 and an outlet pipe 1806, which are formed here as a manifold.

[0130] A heat exchanger with a special structure for use in a new type of adsorption drying process, and another embodiment of heat exchange with a flowing desiccant, can be configured as a finned heat exchanger, as shown in Figure 11. This heat exchanger 1900, by its appropriate structure, can be used in a circular installation space cross-section, with the desiccant present between each heat conduction plate 1910, which are formed here as fins. Thus, Figure 11 shows the heat exchanger 1900 in perspective and top view, and the heat exchanger 1900 has medium conduits 1902 with heat conduction plates 1910. In this embodiment, as an example, six medium conduits 1902 with heat conduction plates 1910 are each positioned between a supply pipe 1904 and a discharge pipe 1906, which are formed here as a manifold. Thus, there are two supply pipes 1904 and two discharge pipes 1906.

[0131] A heat exchanger with a special structure suitable for an annular installation space, for use in a new type of adsorption drying process, is shown in Figure 12 based on heat exchanger 1200 in Figure 4. However, this principle is similarly applicable to other embodiments of heat exchangers. Thus, Figure 12 shows heat exchanger 2000 in perspective and top view, which has a medium conduit 2002 between a supply pipe 2004 and an outlet pipe 2006, which are formed here as a manifold.

[0132] A heat exchanger of this structure can be used, for example, in a pressure vessel formed in an annular shape, or a pressure vessel whose interior is blocked, or a pressure vessel divided by a circular partition wall that is possibly coaxial with the vessel axis, as shown in Figure 13. Thus, Figure 13 shows a pressure vessel 2120 having a cylindrical internal space 2122 and an annular gap space 2124 separated by a coaxial partition wall 2126. In the drying mode, compressed gas can flow into the annular gap 2124 following the inflow arrow 2131, flow from the annular gap 2124 to the cylindrical internal space 2122 following the circulation arrow 2132, and flow out of the pressure vessel 2120 following the outflow arrow 2133.

[0133] The coaxial partition 2126 is connected to the vessel 2120 in its lower region, forcing flow through the vessel first in one region and then in the region separated from that region. Both regions are connected to each other in the upper portion of the pressure vessel, although the vessel may be configured such that the connection between both regions occurs in the lower portion of the vessel. The arrows illustrate the flow direction of adsorption, i.e., the drying mode, in the illustrated structure, where regeneration occurs in the opposite flow direction. A special annular heat exchanger 2100 is shown by a dashed line in Figure 13.

[0134] For use in new types of adsorption drying processes and heat exchange with the flowing desiccant, annular finned heat exchangers, as shown in Figure 14, may also be used in such installation spaces. The desiccant is present between each fin. In this case, as mentioned above, care must be taken to ensure an appropriate spacing between two adjacent fins.

[0135] Figure 14 shows a heat exchanger 2200 in perspective and top view, which has media conduits 2202 equipped with heat conduction plates 2210. In this embodiment, as an example, 24 media conduits 2202 are provided, with two media conduits 2202 running parallel to each other through a series of heat conduction plates 2210. An enlarged view shown on the right side of Figure 14 schematically shows such a pair consisting of two media conduits 2202 equipped with multiple heat conduction plates 2210. Furthermore, Figure 14 shows a supply pipe 2204 and a discharge pipe 2206, which are formed here as a manifold. [Explanation of symbols]

[0136] 1 Compressor 2. Oil cooler, oil heat exchanger 3. Oil separation container 4. Compressed air cooler 5, 6, 9, 12, 14, 15, 18, 19, 22 valves 7, 8 Pressure vessels 7a, 8a upper part 7b, 8b lower part 10, 11 Throttle valve 13 Dryer outlet 16, 17 Heater 20, 21 Silencer 100 Compressed Gas Systems 102 Adsorption dryer 103, 104 Drying entrance 105, 106 Drying outlet 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500, 1600, 1700, 1800, 1900, 2000, 2100, 2200 heat exchanger 1202, 1302, 1402, 1502, 1602, 1702, 1802, 1902, 2002, 2202 Media conduit 1203 Conduit plane 1204, 1404, 1504, 1604, 1704, 1804, 1904, 2004, 2204 Supply pipe 1206, 1306, 1406, 1506, 1606, 1706, 1806, 1906, 2006, 2206 Discharge pipe 1208, 1708 interval 1280, 1480 Adsorbent materials 1410, 1910, 2210 Thermal Conductive Plate 1612, 1712 collection tubes 2120 Pressure Vessel 2122 Interior space 2124 Annular gap 2126 Bulkhead 2131 Inflow Arrow 2132 Circular Arrow 2133 Outflow arrow

Claims

1. A heat exchanger, disposed within a pressure vessel having granular adsorbent material, in an adsorption type dryer provided for drying compressed gas, particularly compressed air, for transferring heat from a heat transfer medium, particularly oil, to the granular adsorbent material, The heating section has a heating unit for transferring heat from the heat transfer medium to the adsorbent material, and the heating unit is The system includes a plurality of media conduits (1202, 1402) each having at least one media tube for guiding the heat transfer medium within the media conduits, The heating section has a substantially cylindrical shape with a longitudinal axis, The media conduits are arranged in multiple conduit planes in the direction of the longitudinal axis, The media conduits are configured such that the heat transfer medium can flow through them in parallel and / or in series, and are interconnected. The medium conduits in adjacent conduit planes and / or adjacent conduit planes are spaced apart from each other in the direction of the longitudinal axis. The aforementioned media conduit is a heat exchanger configured as an extruded profile.

2. A heat exchanger, disposed within a pressure vessel having granular adsorbent material, in an adsorption type dryer provided for drying compressed gas, particularly compressed air, for transferring heat from a heat transfer medium, particularly oil, to the granular adsorbent material, The heating section has a heating unit for transferring heat from the heat transfer medium to the adsorbent material, and the heating unit is The system includes a plurality of medium conduits, each having at least one medium tube, for guiding the heat transfer medium through at least one medium tube, The heating section has a substantially cylindrical shape with a longitudinal axis, The media conduits are arranged in multiple conduit planes in the direction of the longitudinal axis, The media conduits are configured such that the heat transfer medium can flow through them in parallel and / or in series, and are interconnected. The aforementioned media conduit is equipped with a heat conductive plate, The heat conduction plates have a spacing between them that allows for layers of granular adsorbent material with a maximum particle size of up to 12 mm, preferably up to 8 mm, and particularly up to 5 mm, between two adjacent heat conduction plates of the same medium conduit, and / or A heat exchanger in which adjacent heat conduction plates of the same medium conduit are spaced at least 6 mm, preferably at least 9 mm, and particularly at least 15 mm apart from each other.

3. In each of the aforementioned conduit planes, At least one exact circumferential portion of the media conduit is provided, or At least two conduit portions of the media conduit are arranged parallel to each other, the distance between the conduit portions is at least 6 mm, preferably at least 9 mm, and particularly at least 15 mm, and / or a layer of granular adsorbent material with a maximum particle size of up to 12 mm, preferably up to 8 mm, and particularly up to 5 mm is permitted within the distance. The heating section is located in each of the conduit planes, Circular, and / or, A circular outer contour, and / or, The heat exchanger according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it has at least a partially helical shape.

4. The heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the heating section is arranged in a pressure vessel having a circular cylindrical or annular gap-shaped internal space, and each of the conduit planes has an outer contour that is curved to conform to the internal space.

5. At least one of the media tubes has an average diameter, The media conduit to the media tube has a wall thickness, The ratio of the average diameter to the wall thickness of the media tube is in the range of 2 to 50, particularly 5 to 25, and / or A heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the wall thickness is 0.15 mm to 2 mm, and more particularly 0.15 mm to 1.5 mm.

6. Each of the media conduits has an elongated cross-section, and the cross-section has a longitudinal dimension in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the heating section, and a transverse dimension laterally to the longitudinal dimension, and the longitudinal dimension is at least 1.5 times, particularly at least 2 times, the transverse dimension, and / or The heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that each media conduit has at least two media tubes extending parallel to each other, and at least two of the media tubes extending parallel to each other are aligned with each other in the direction of the longitudinal axis and are spaced apart from each other.

7. The heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the media conduit is formed as an extruded profile, particularly from aluminum or an aluminum alloy.

8. The heating unit, It has multiple collection tubes, and the collection tubes are at least, A supply pipe for supplying the heat transfer medium, It has a discharge pipe for discharging the heat transfer medium, The supply pipe, the discharge pipe, and optionally any further collection pipes are each arranged parallel to their longitudinal axes. The heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that each of the media conduits is arranged between the supply pipe and the discharge pipe, thereby allowing the heat transfer medium to flow through the media conduits in parallel from the supply pipe to the discharge pipe.

9. Two media conduits, each adjacent to each other in the direction of their longitudinal axis, are arranged with a longitudinal distance between them, and this distance represents the free distance between the media conduits. The heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the longitudinal spacing corresponds to at least the minimum thickness of the media conduit, in particular to at least twice the minimum thickness of the media conduit, and in particular the longitudinal spacing corresponds to a maximum of five times the minimum thickness of the media conduit.

10. Adjacent media conduits or adjacent media conduit portions on the same conduit plane are connected by the heat conductive plate, and / or Multiple media conduits or portions of media conduits are guided parallel to each other across multiple heat conductive plates connecting the multiple media conduits or portions of media conduits, or The heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, when the media conduit is formed as an extruded profile, the extruded profile does not have a heat conductive plate protruding from the extruded profile.

11. An adsorption type dryer for drying compressed gas, especially compressed air, At least one pressure vessel, Adsorbent material for adsorbing moisture from compressed gas filled in the pressure vessel, A drying inlet for introducing the compressed gas for drying, A drying outlet for discharging the compressed gas after drying, and In drying mode, the system includes a drying section through which the compressed gas flows from the drying inlet to the drying outlet. At least one pressure vessel, At least one heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 10, At least one of the heating sections of the heat exchanger is located inside the pressure vessel. Each of the heating sections is surrounded by an adsorbent material, and the adsorbent material is formed as a granular bulk material. A heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 10, An adsorption type dryer.

12. The aforementioned drying section is A first region facing the drying inlet, It has a second region facing the drying outlet, The adsorption dryer according to claim 11, characterized in that each of the heating units is arranged in the first region, and in particular, no heating unit is provided in the second region.

13. A switching device is provided for switching between drying mode and regeneration mode, and in regeneration mode, The regenerated gas flows through the pressure vessel and the drying section from the drying outlet to the drying inlet in order to remove moisture from the adsorbent material. The first region is heated, The adsorption dryer according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the second region is not heated or is slightly heated.

14. Each of the aforementioned pressure vessels has an annular gap space and a cylindrical internal space surrounded by the annular gap space, and the annular gap space and the cylindrical internal space are The compressed gas can flow from the drying inlet through the annular gap space, then through the cylindrical internal space, to the drying outlet for drying purposes, and the heating section of the heat exchanger is located within the annular gap space, or The compressed gas can flow from the drying inlet through the cylindrical internal space, then through the annular gap space, to the drying outlet for drying, and the heating parts of the heat exchanger are each arranged within the cylindrical internal space. An adsorption dryer according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that they are connected to each other.

15. The adsorbent material is formed as a granular bulk material with a maximum particle size of up to 12 mm, preferably up to 8 mm, particularly up to 5 mm, and / or a particle size in the range of 1 mm to 12 mm, preferably 1.5 mm to 8 mm, particularly 2 mm to 5 mm. The heating section is formed such that the adsorbent material surrounds the medium conduit, and in particular, The media conduit has a heat conductive plate, the adsorbent material is also located between the heat conductive plates, and / or The adsorption dryer according to any one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that the spacing between adjacent media conduits and / or adjacent heat conductive plates corresponds to at least 1.2 times, and up to 5 times, preferably up to 3 times, and particularly up to 2 times, the maximum particle size of the adsorbent material.

16. A compressed gas system for supplying dry compressed gas, particularly compressed air, comprising an adsorption drying apparatus according to any one of claims 11 to 15, The compressed gas system has a compressor for generating the compressed gas, The compressor operates using compressor oil, and, A compressed gas system characterized in that the heat exchanger is connected to a compressor, thereby using compressor oil or a portion of the compressor oil as a heat transfer medium.

17. A method for operating a compressed gas system having an adsorption dryer equipped with at least one heat exchanger, The aforementioned adsorption type dryer is It is provided for drying compressed gas, especially compressed air. At least one pressure vessel, An adsorbent material for adsorbing moisture from the compressed gas filled in the pressure vessel, A drying inlet for introducing the compressed gas for drying, A drying outlet for discharging the compressed gas after drying, The system includes a drying section in which the compressed gas flows from the drying inlet to the drying outlet in the drying mode. At least one pressure vessel, At least one heat exchanger, At least one of the heating sections of the heat exchanger is located inside the pressure vessel. Each of the heating sections is surrounded by the adsorbent material, and the adsorbent material is formed as a granular bulk material. It has at least one heat exchanger, The compressed gas system is configured according to claim 16, the adsorption dryer is configured according to any one of claims 11 to 15, and / or the heat exchanger is configured according to any one of claims 1 to 10. The following steps: The steps include operating the pressure vessel in a drying mode in which the compressed gas is guided through the pressure vessel from the drying inlet to the drying outlet in order to release moisture from the adsorbent material, The steps include operating the pressure vessel in a regeneration mode in which a regenerating gas, particularly compressed air, particularly dried compressed air, is guided through the drying section, particularly from the drying outlet to the drying inlet, in order to absorb moisture from the adsorbent material, the regenerating gas flows through the adsorbent material, and flows along the heating section of the heat exchanger, The heat exchanger is heated by the heat transfer medium in the regeneration mode, thereby releasing heat from the heat transfer medium to the regeneration gas and the adsorbent material, in particular, In this method, the compressor oil of the compressor of the adsorption dryer is used as the heat transfer medium.

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