Apparatus and method for adsorbing gases from a gas mixture to be treated - Patents.com

Abstract

An apparatus for adsorbing gas from a gas mixture to be treated, having an inlet (2) for the gas to be treated and an outlet (3) for the treated gas, the apparatus (1) comprising at least two vessels (4a, 4b) filled with a regenerable adsorbent (5), and an adjustable valve system (6) connecting the inlet (2) and the outlet (3) to the vessels (4a, 4b), the adjustable valve system (6) being such that at least one vessel (4a) treats compressed gas while the other vessel (4b) is being regenerated, and under the control of the valve system (6), each of the vessels (4a, 4b) treats compressed gas in sequence, and the adjustable valve system (6) is integrated into a single valve block (12).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for adsorbing gases from a gas mixture to be treated. [Background technology]

[0002] The gas may be compressed gas, for example, from a compressor facility.

[0003] Also, the gas being adsorbed can be, for example, water vapor, so that the device is essentially a dryer.

[0004] More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus for the adsorption of gas from a gas mixture to be treated, having an inlet for the gas to be dried and an outlet for the dried gas, the dryer comprising at least two vessels filled with a regenerable adsorbent and an adjustable valve system connecting the inlets and outlets to the vessels, whereby the adjustable valve system is adjusted such that while at least one vessel processes compressed gas, the other vessel is continuously regenerated and cooled, and by adjusting the valve system, the vessels each process compressed gas in turn.

[0005] Regenerable adsorbents are adsorbents or desiccants which are capable of adsorbing gas from a gas mixture by adsorption and which, when saturated with gas, can be regenerated by passing a so-called regeneration gas therethrough, for example a high pressure gas expanded through a nozzle, an expansion valve, etc.

[0006] This is the principle of adsorption, but the present invention can also be applied to the principle of absorption.

[0007] When the vessel processes a gas mixture, it will adsorb gases from the gas mixture being processed, saturating the desiccant.

[0008] The vessel is then regenerated by passing dry, compressed air through it, which is typically expanded through a nozzle, expansion valve, etc. This gas extracts the adsorbed gases from the adsorbent, thus regenerating it.

[0009] The vessel can then be cooled before being reused to process compressed gas.

[0010] Such types of equipment are already known, in which an adjustable valve system is used to switch the vessel between treatment and regeneration / cooling.

[0011] Due to the geometrical shape of the device in general, and of the vessel in particular, an adjustable valve system is provided between two so-called Valve Assembly obviously, this can be realised by two separate valves, one of which connects said inlet to said container and the other of which connects said outlet to said container.

[0012] As a result, one Valve Assembly is attached to the bottom of the container, and the other Valve Assembly is attached to the top of the container.

[0013] In order to allow for switching between containers, two separate Valve Assembly Well-known devices with adjustable valve systems are provided with all kinds of flow paths, conduits and valves in two Valve Assembly Since the components are integrated in one unit, the device has the advantage of being relatively small in size.

[0014] For small devices, i.e. desiccant volumes of around 10 liters, such valve systems still occupy a large amount of space compared to available desiccant.

[0015] Moreover, for small devices, it is even more important that they are very compact since most of the time they are used in applications where there is not much space or where one does not want to spend a lot of space on a dryer.

[0016] However, even with respect to other larger devices, it is advantageous to design the valve system as small as possible because of the associated reduced material costs and reduced weight. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0017] It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus having a very compact valve system. [Means for solving the problem]

[0018] To this end, the invention relates to an apparatus for adsorbing gas from a gas mixture, having an inlet for the gas to be treated and an outlet for the treated gas, the apparatus comprising at least two vessels filled with a regenerable adsorbent and an adjustable valve system connecting the inlets and the outlets to the vessels, the adjustable valve system being adjusted such that while at least one vessel is treating compressed gas, the other vessel is subsequently regenerated and cooled, by adjustment of the valve system, the vessels each treat compressed gas in turn, the adjustable valve system being arranged to allow a single Valve Assembly It is characterized in that it is incorporated in

[0019] The term "container" should be interpreted broadly herein: the container itself need not be a separate component of the device, but may be realized as a cavity within the housing, whereby the cavity contains a desiccant in the form of what may be referred to as a desiccant core.

[0020] The advantage is that the adjustable valve system can be Valve Assembly The advantage of this is that it can be made very compact by consolidating the components into one unit.

[0021] In addition, each Valve Assembly Unlike known dryers that require a valve, the valve can be combined. Valve Assembly Less material is required for the manufacture of the device and the amount of electrical wiring and / or pneumatic lines can be significantly reduced.

[0022] This has the added advantage of making the device cheaper and lighter.

[0023] In the most preferred embodiment, both of the vessels are equipped with two passageways for gas, the two passageways being located adjacent to each other or at the same end of the vessels and configured such that gas entering the vessels through one passageway can only exit the vessels through the other passageway after passing through the adsorbent.

[0024] This is because the above passages are on the same side or end of the container. Valve Assembly This has the advantage that the nozzle can be positioned on this side or end of the container.

[0025] In effect, by arranging the passages adjacently, the adjustable valve system can be constructed as a single Valve Assembly It can be executed as:

[0026] Several measures can be taken to ensure that gas entering the vessel through one passage can only exit the vessel through the other passage after passing through the adsorbent.

[0027] Preferably, this is achieved by connecting one of the passages with a conduit, tube or the like which extends into the vessel and through the adsorbent.

[0028] Thus, in order to exit the vessel through this passage with the tube, the gas must pass through the adsorbent (or a portion thereof), or conversely, after the gas enters through this passage with the tube, it must first pass through the adsorbent (or a portion thereof) in order to exit the vessel through the other passage.

[0029] This can also be achieved by other means: for example, if the container is realised by a cavity in the housing of the device, a partition or the like can be placed in this cavity, with a passageway on each side of the partition.

[0030] In a practical embodiment, this is - one or more control valves; a supply flow path from an inlet to a control valve; an outlet flow path from the vessel to the outlet; -From the control valve discharge opening Leads to Discharge flow path and, a regeneration flow path from the outlet flow path to the vessel; Equipped Valve Assembly It is.

[0031] Valve Assembly Depending on the design or layout, in most cases this is the case when said channels (or parts of them) merge or, after switching vessels, for example, two channels switch their function.

[0032] Preferably, the control valve comprises two 3-port 2-position valve Or one 5-port 2-position valve Of course, the present invention is not limited to this.

[0033] The present invention relates to a method for adsorbing gas from a gas mixture to be treated using an apparatus having an inlet for the gas to be treated and an outlet for the treated gas, the apparatus including at least two vessels filled with a regenerative adsorbent, the method including using an adjustable valve system connecting the inlet and the outlet to the vessels, the method including controlling the adjustable valve system such that at least one vessel is treating compressed gas while the other vessel is being regenerated, each of the vessels treating compressed gas in sequence, the method including controlling the adjustable valve system to a single Valve Assembly The method further comprises the step of incorporating the

[0034] In a most preferred variant, the method comprises the steps of: - providing in both of the containers two passages adjacent to each other or located at the same end of the containers; - passing the gas through the vessel such that the gas can only enter the vessel through one passage and, after passing through the adsorbent, exit the vessel through the other passage; Further includes:

[0035] In a practical embodiment, the method includes the step of connecting to one of said passages a conduit, tube or the like which extends into the container and passes through the desiccant.

[0036] Preferably, the method includes switching the vessel between adsorption and regeneration every 10 to 30 seconds.

[0037] It is to be understood that the method according to the invention has the same advantages as the device according to the invention for adsorbing gases from a gas mixture to be treated.

[0038] In order to better illustrate the features of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the device and method for adsorbing gases from a gas mixture to be treated according to the present invention are described below, by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0039] [Figure 1] 1 shows diagrammatically an arrangement according to the invention; [Diagram 2] An alternative to FIG. [Diagram 3] 2 illustrates another alternative embodiment of FIG. [Figure 4] 2 shows a practical embodiment of the device of FIG. 1; [Diagram 5] 2 shows a practical embodiment of the device of FIG. 1; [Figure 6] 2 shows a practical embodiment of the device of FIG. 1; [Figure 7] 2 shows a practical embodiment of the device of FIG. 1; [Figure 8] 2 shows a practical embodiment of the device of FIG. 1; [Figure 9] 2 shows different practical embodiments of the device of FIG. 1; [Figure 10] 2 shows different practical embodiments of the device of FIG. 1; [Figure 11] 2 shows different practical embodiments of the device of FIG. 1; [Figure 12]2 shows different practical embodiments of the device of FIG. 1; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0040] The device according to the invention for adsorbing gases from a gas mixture to be treated, as shown diagrammatically in FIG. 1, will in this case adsorb water vapour from the gas.

[0041] In other words, the device is a dryer 1.

[0042] The dryer 1 according to the invention mainly comprises an inlet 2 for the gas to be dried, an outlet 3 for the dried gas, two vessels 4a, 4b with a regenerable adsorbent 5 and an adjustable valve system 6.

[0043] Since this is a dryer 1, in the following the adsorbent 5 will also be called desiccant 5.

[0044] In this case, the containers 4a, 4b are realised within the housing 7 of the dryer 1, more particularly by means of a casting 8 specially provided for this purpose, which is attached to the remainder of the housing 7 of the dryer 1.

[0045] Within this casting 8 there are provided two cavities 9 or spaces in which a renewable dehumidifying agent 5 or desiccant is introduced.

[0046] By attaching the casting 8 to the rest of the housing 7, vessels 4a, 4b are formed which are isolated from one another. This means that gas cannot flow from one vessel 4a to the other vessel 4b.

[0047] Each vessel 4a, 4b is equipped with two passages 10a, 10b for gas, which in the example shown are arranged adjacent to one another or at the same end of the vessels 4a, 4b.

[0048] The design is such that gas entering the containers 4a, 4b through one passage 10a, after passing through the desiccant 5, can only exit the containers 4a, 4b through the other passage 10b.

[0049] For this purpose, a partition 11 or divider is provided in the containers 4a, 4b between both passages 10a, 10b.

[0050] As can be seen, gas entering the vessels 4a, 4b through one passage 10a must always flow through the desiccant 5 before exiting the vessels 4a, 4b through the other passage 10b.

[0051] In the illustrated example, the desiccant 5 is present only on one side of the partition 11, but it is not excluded that the desiccant 5 is present on both sides of the partition 11, i.e. that the above-mentioned cavity 9 or space is completely filled with desiccant 5.

[0052] In this case, the desiccant 5 contained in the containers 4a, 4b is a ceramic desiccant 5. Of course, the present invention is not limited to this.

[0053] The adsorbent 5 or desiccant 5 preferably has a solid form, thereby comprising a solid support made of ceramic material, paper, glass fibre or wire mesh.

[0054] The desiccant 5 may furthermore take the form of granules held together in a sieve or grill, not shown, which has the advantage that the desiccant 5 is fixed, so to speak, in the containers 4a, 4b and the orientation of the dryer 1 has no effect in principle.

[0055] According to the present invention, the adjustable valve system 6 is a unique Valve Assembly Equipped with 12.

[0056] this Valve Assembly 12 connects the inlet 2 and outlet 3 to the containers 4a, 4b.

[0057] As is known, the adjustable valve system 6 allows one vessel 4a to dry compressed gas while the other vessel 4b is continuously regenerated and cooled, such that by adjusting the valve system 6, each vessel 4a, 4b will sequentially dry compressed gas in turn.

[0058] In the illustrated embodiment Valve Assembly 12 is - one or more control valves 13; a supply channel 14 leading from the inlet 2 to the control valve 13; an outlet channel 15 leading from the containers 4a, 4b to the outlet 3; - from control valve 13 discharge opening Extends to 17 Discharge flow path 16 and a regeneration channel 18 leading from the outlet channel 15 to the vessels 4a, 4b; Equipped with.

[0059] Some of these flow paths 14, 15, 16, 18 merge or switch functions, mainly as a result of switching of the vessels 4a, 4b between a drying phase and a regeneration phase.

[0060] In the illustrated embodiment, Valve Assembly 12 is provided with two check valves 19 in the outlet flow passage 15 .

[0061] A check valve 19 is provided in each vessel 4a, 4b. Of course, it does not necessarily have to be a check valve 19, the vessels 4a, 4b could be equipped with other types of outlet valves.

[0062] moreover, Valve Assembly 12 is a control valve 13 that controls the switching of the containers 4a and 4b. 3-port 2-position valve Includes 13a.

[0063] In addition, two 3-port 2-position valve Instead of 13a, one 5-port 2-position valve It is also possible to use 13b. This is shown in Figure 2. The embodiment of Figure 2 is otherwise the same as the embodiment of Figure 1.

[0064] Additionally, in this case, the regeneration flow path 18 includes a throttle valve 20 for controlling the amount of gas passing therethrough.

[0065] In FIG. 1, two throttle valves 20 are provided, which may be practical or space-saving in some cases, whereas in FIG. 2 there is only one throttle valve 20.

[0066] Furthermore, the silencer 21 is Discharge flow path 16 exits, therefore discharge opening 17. This is Valve Assembly It can also be combined into 12.

[0067] moreover, Valve Assembly 12 is 3-port 2-position valve The device further includes a control unit 22 for controlling the air conditioner 13a and a dew point sensor 23. Valve Assembly It can be combined into 12.

[0068] The dew point sensor 23 may also be a humidity sensor, a pressure sensor, and / or a temperature sensor, or if the apparatus 1 is a gas separation apparatus rather than a dryer 1, it may be a gas quality sensor for oxygen, carbon dioxide, or volatile organic compounds.

[0069] moreover, Valve Assembly It is not excluded that 12 further comprises cooling fins or the like.

[0070] The operation of the dryer 1 is very simple and is as follows.

[0071] During operation of the dryer 1 , gas to be dried, for example compressed gas from a compressor, is supplied at the inlet 2 and conveyed through a supply passage 14 to the control valve 13 .

[0072] Via a control valve 13, it is conveyed to a vessel 4a in which the gas is dried. In the case of figures 1 and 2, this is the vessel 4a on the left.

[0073] After passing through the desiccant 5 and being dried, the gas turns around along the partition 11 to exit the dryer 1 through the passage 10 a and then through the outlet passage 15 .

[0074] The regeneration flow path 18 branches off a portion of the dried gas as regeneration gas and directs it to the control valve 13, after which this regeneration gas enters the vessel 4b to be regenerated. In the case of Figures 1 and 2, this is the right vessel 4b.

[0075] After passing through this vessel 4b, the gas must again reverse through the bulkhead 11, so to speak, forcing it through the desiccant. Discharge flow path It leaves the dryer 1 through 16 and muffler 21.

[0076] When the desiccant in the left container 4a becomes completely saturated, the two control valves 13 will switch, as is known, and so will the functions of the containers 4a, 4b.

[0077] For this purpose, the control unit 22 or the controller appropriately controls the control valve 13 based on, inter alia, the measurement value of the dew point sensor 23 and the like.

[0078] The controller or control 22 of the valve system 6 will switch the vessels 4a, 4b between drying and regeneration every 10 to 30 seconds for a compact dryer 1. It is also possible to switch after a few minutes.

[0079] The exact switching time varies from dryer 1 to dryer 1 and depends on the ambient conditions and the amount of active desiccant.

[0080] The left vessel 4a will be regenerated after the switchover while the right vessel 4b will perform drying, thereby repeating the entire method as described above.

[0081] The two vessels 4a, 4b working together will ensure a continuous flow of drying gas.

[0082] As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, during operation of the dryer 1, in this case, preferably Valve Assembly 12 is located directly below the containers 4a, 4b.

[0083] This is because the condensation that may occur Discharge flow path 16.

[0084] The above Discharge flow path It should be understood that 16 is optional.

[0085] FIG. 3 shows a variant of the vessels of FIGS. 1 and 2, in which one vessel 4a is embodied as a cylinder and the other vessel 4b is embodied as a hollow cylinder arranged coaxially around said one vessel 4a.

[0086] The compact configuration saves space.

[0087] Also, instead of the partition 11, a conduit 24 or a pipe or the like that extends into the containers 4a, 4b and through which the desiccant 5 passes is connected to one of the passages 10a.

[0088] Such a conduit 24 or tube or the like allows gas flowing into the containers 4a, 4b through one passage 10a to pass through the desiccant 5 and then only to exit the containers 4a, 4b through the other passage 10b.

[0089] Furthermore, it is not excluded that the conduit 24 or tube or the like also contains a desiccant 5 .

[0090] Figures 4 to 8 show several views and cross sections of a practical embodiment of a dryer 1 according to the invention with indications of the relevant components and flow paths.

[0091] In this case, the desiccant 5 is in the form of a block or beam. However, the shape of the desiccant 5 is not limited to this design.

[0092] Also, one of the passages 10a of the containers 4a, 4b containing the desiccant 5 is centrally located below the containers 4a, 4b. A conduit 24 or tube is connected to the passage 10a, thus extending through the center of the desiccant 5.

[0093] 9 to 12 show another practical embodiment, in which the desiccant 5 is cylindrical.

[0094] In this embodiment, unlike Figs. Valve Assembly Note that 12 is located above the desiccant 5. However, if solid desiccant 5 is used or granules of desiccant 5 are fixed in a sieve or grill, the orientation of the dryer 1 is less important.

[0095] Although each of the embodiments described and shown above includes only two containers 4a, 4b, it is not excluded that there are four or more containers 4a, 4b, whereby these containers 4a, 4b are stacked two on top of each other.

[0096] Next, the vessels 4a, 4b can be connected in series in pairs, or the cycles of each vessel 4a, 4b can be staggered over time, and each vessel 4a, 4b can be provided with a control valve 13 and a check valve 19.

[0097] The invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown by way of example, and the device and method for adsorbing gases from a gas mixture treated according to the invention can be implemented in any form without going beyond the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An apparatus for adsorbing gas from a gas mixture to be treated, having an inlet (2) for the gas to be treated and an outlet (3) for the treated gas, said apparatus (1) comprising at least two vessels (4a, 4b) filled with a regenerable adsorbent (5) and an adjustable valve system (6) connecting said inlet (2) and said outlet (3) to said vessels (4a, 4b), The adjustable valve system (6) allows at least one vessel (4a) to process compressed gas while the other vessel (4b) is being regenerated; Under the control of the valve system (6), each of the vessels (4a, 4b) processes compressed gas in sequence, The adjustable valve system (6) is incorporated into a single valve assembly (12), the valve assembly (12) comprising: - one or more control valves (13); a supply channel (14) leading from said inlet (2) to said control valve (13); a discharge passage (16) leading from said control valve (13) to a discharge opening (17); Equipped with 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein both of said vessels (4a, 4b) are provided with two passages (10a, 10b) for gas, said two passages (10a, 10b) being arranged adjacent to each other or at the same end of said vessels (4a, 4b) and arranged in such a way that the gas entering said vessels (4a, 4b) through one passage (10a) can only leave said vessels (4a, 4b) through the other passage (10b) after having passed through the adsorbent (5).

2. Apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein one of the passages (10a) is connected to a conduit (24) or tube extending into the vessel (4a, 4b) and passing through the adsorbent (5).

3. 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the adsorbent (5) is present in the conduit (24) or tube.

4. The valve assembly (12) comprises: an outlet channel (15) leading from said container (1a, 1b) to said outlet (3); a regeneration channel (18) leading from said outlet channel (15) to said vessels (4a, 4b); 4. The apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising:

5. 5. The device according to claim 4, wherein the outlet channel (15) is provided with a check valve (19).

6. 6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the control valve (13) is two 3-port 2-position valves (13a) or one 5-port 2-position valve (13b).

7. 7. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a silencer (21) is connected to the discharge opening (17).

8. 8. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said one container (4a) is implemented as a cylinder and said other container (4b) is implemented as a hollow cylinder arranged coaxially around said one container (4a).

9. 9. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the adsorbent (5) has a solid form, the adsorbent (5) comprising a solid support made of a ceramic material, paper, glass fibre or wire mesh.

10. 10. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the adsorbent (5) is in the form of granules held together by a sieve or grill.

11. The valve assembly (12) comprises: a dew point sensor (23), and / or cooling fins, and / or - a control unit (22) or control unit, The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:

12. 12. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the apparatus (1) comprises three containers (4a, 4b).

13. 12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the control (22) of the valve system (6) is configured such that the vessels (4a, 4b) are switched between adsorption and regeneration every 10 to 30 seconds.

14. 14. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein, during operation of the apparatus (1), the valve assembly (23) is located below the containers (4a, 4b).

15. 15. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the other vessel (4b) to be regenerated is subsequently cooled.

16. A method for adsorbing gas from a gas mixture to be treated using an apparatus (1) having an inlet (2) for the gas to be treated and an outlet (3) for the treated gas, said apparatus (1) comprising at least two vessels (4a, 4b) filled with a regenerable adsorbent (5), said method comprising using an adjustable valve system (6) connecting said inlet (2) and said outlet (3) to said vessels (4a, 4b), said method comprising: The method includes controlling the adjustable valve system (6) such that at least one vessel (4a) processes compressed gas while the other vessel (4b) is being regenerated, each of the vessels (4a, 4b) processing compressed gas in sequence, the method comprising: The adjustable valve system (6) is comprised of a single valve assembly (12), - one or more control valves (13); a supply channel (14) leading from said inlet (2) to said control valve (13); - a discharge passage (16) leading from said control valve (13) to a discharge opening (17); - providing in both of said containers (4a, 4b) two passages (10a, 10b) adjacent to each other or located at the same end of said containers (4a, 4b); - passing said gas through said vessels (4a, 4b) in such a way that said gas can enter said vessels (4a, 4b) through one passage (10a) and leave said vessels (4a, 4b) through the other passage (10b) only after passing through said adsorbent (5); The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

17. 17. The method of claim 16, comprising the step of connecting one of the passages (10a) with a conduit (24) or tube extending into the container (4a, 4b) and passing through a desiccant (5).

18. 18. A method according to claim 16 or claim 17, comprising switching the vessels (4a, 4b) between adsorption and regeneration every 10 to 30 seconds.

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