Regeneration means and drying apparatus for drying compressed gas

Abstract

A regeneration means for regenerating a desiccant in a drying device (1) for compressed gas, the regeneration means (9) comprising a regeneration line (10) connected to a regeneration inlet (11) of the drying device (1), the regeneration line (10) connecting the regeneration inlet (11) to an outlet (13) of a blower (12) for supplying regeneration gas, a heating means (14) for heating the regeneration gas being provided between the outlet (13) of the blower (12) and the regeneration inlet (11), and an additional container (20) having a desiccant for drying the regeneration gas being provided between the outlet (13) of the blower (12) and the heating means (14) on the other hand.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a regeneration means for drying compressed gas.

[0002] More specifically, the present invention is intended to be applied to a drying device for drying gas to enhance its efficiency, make such a drying device less dependent on environmental parameters, and make it more reliable.

Background Art

[0003] Devices for drying compressed gas are already known. Such a drying device includes an inlet for the compressed gas to be dried and an outlet for the dried compressed gas. The drying device comprises at least two containers containing a regenerable desiccant and a controllable valve system composed of a first valve block and a second valve block that connect the inlet and the outlet to the containers respectively. The controllable valve system is configured such that at least one container can dry the compressed gas while the other container is being regenerated and cooled, and by controlling the valve system, each of the containers can dry the compressed gas in turn.

[0004] As used herein, a regenerable desiccant means a desiccant or a drying agent that can absorb moisture from a gas by adsorption and can be dried by passing a so-called regeneration gas through it when it is saturated with moisture. This process is also known as the regeneration of the desiccant. The regeneration gas is usually a high-temperature gas.

[0005] Although the principle of adsorption has been described here, the present invention can also be applied to the principle of absorption.

[0006] When drying the container, moisture is absorbed from the compressed gas to be dried to saturate the desiccant. That is, almost no additional moisture can be absorbed.

[0007] Subsequently, the container is regenerated, typically by passing a high-temperature gas, such as hot air, through it. This high-temperature gas extracts moisture from the desiccant, thus regenerating it.

[0008] Afterward, the container can be optionally cooled before being reused for drying the compressed gas. After regeneration, the desiccant's temperature will have risen. By cooling the desiccant inside the container before using it again for drying, the desiccant can extract moisture more efficiently.

[0009] An apparatus is already known that, in order to enable the regeneration of a container, is provided with a first regeneration line having a heating means, which is provided to supply regeneration gas to the container to be regenerated, and the first regeneration line is connected to a second valve block, and further comprises a second regeneration line for discharging saturated regeneration gas, and the second regeneration line is connected to the first valve block, and each of the first and second regeneration lines can be connected to an outlet of a blower or the like for supplying ambient air, a blow-off opening, and vice versa.

[0010] During container regeneration, the first regeneration line is connected to the blower, and the second regeneration line is connected to the blow-off opening.

[0011] The blower can supply ambient air heated by the heating means before it is transferred to a container that is regenerated via a second valve block.

[0012] After passing through the regeneration container, the saturated regenerated air exits the device through the second regeneration line and the blow-off opening.

[0013] Afterward, this recycling container is first cooled.

[0014] For this purpose, the first regeneration line is connected to the blow-off opening, and the second regeneration line is connected to the blower.

[0015] The blower directs the cooling gas through a second regeneration line, and then through a regeneration container, where the desiccant is cooled by the cooling gas.

[0016] This cooling gas will exit the device through the first regeneration line and the blow-off opening.

[0017] A drawback of such devices is that they consume a relatively large amount of energy because they require relatively high temperatures for the regenerated gas, and consequently, for the heating means.

[0018] This is a consequence of using ambient air for regeneration, which means this air always contains moisture, and regeneration will not be optimized unless the ambient air is heated very strongly.

[0019] In addition, the device is affected by environmental parameters because it uses ambient air for regeneration and cooling. [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0020] The present invention aims to provide a solution to the aforementioned drawbacks and at least one of the other drawbacks. [Means for solving the problem]

[0021] The present invention includes a regeneration means for regenerating a desiccant in a drying apparatus for compressed gas, the regeneration means comprising a regeneration line connected to the regeneration inlet of the drying apparatus, the regeneration line connecting the regeneration inlet to the outlet of a blower for supplying regenerated gas, a heating means for heating the regenerated gas provided between the outlet of the blower and the regeneration inlet, and an additional container containing a desiccant for drying the regenerated gas provided between the outlet of the blower and the heating means on the other.

[0022] The advantage is that during the regeneration of the desiccant in the drying device, the regeneration gas, usually ambient air, passes through an additional container before being heated.

[0023] All (ambient) moisture is extracted from the regeneration gas by the desiccant in the additional container, and regeneration is carried out using this completely dried ambient air. This will ensure more efficient regeneration.

[0024] A further advantage is that there is no need to heat the regeneration gas more strongly, so the heating means can be set to a lower temperature and will use less power, at least temporarily.

[0025] Typically, this results in a temperature drop of 30°C to 40°C, for example, for known devices.

[0026] Therefore, since the required heating capacity is reduced, it is also possible to provide a more compact heating means.

[0027] Preferably, the regeneration means further comprises a valve system configured to be able to connect the outlet of a blower to a cooling line connected to the cooling inlet of the drying device.

[0028] The cooling line supplies a cooling gas to the drying device to cool the desiccant in the drying device. The cooling gas passes through the desiccant in the drying device and then exits the drying device through the regeneration line.

[0029] Another advantage is that when the desiccant in the drying device after regeneration is subsequently cooled, the heat from the regenerated desiccant is carried to the additional container via the cooling gas, and the desiccant in the additional container is regenerated in the process.

[0030] Furthermore, so to speak, this heat will be temporarily stored in the additional container, that is, the additional container is heated.

[0031] In subsequent cycles, when the desiccant in the drying unit is regenerated, the ambient air drawn in by the blower is not only dried by the additional container but is also heated for a certain period of time.

[0032] Furthermore, heat is released in this additional container through adsorption. This is also called "adsorption heat" and is comparable to condensation heat.

[0033] Typically, this would correspond to a temperature increase of, for example, 10°C compared to a known device.

[0034] For clarification, it is stated here that the desiccant in the additional container may be the same as the desiccant in the drying unit, but it may also be a different desiccant.

[0035] Preferably, the cooling line is connected to the regeneration line via the valve system at a position between the outlet of the blower and the additional container.

[0036] In practical embodiments, the additional container is thermally insulated.

[0037] This insulation can take the form of, for example, an insulating coating on the inside and / or outside of the additional container, and / or a layer of insulating material in which the additional container is wrapped.

[0038] The advantage of this is that the heat temporarily reaching the additional container during the cooling phase is stored as optimally as possible.

[0039] The present invention also relates to a drying apparatus for drying compressed gas, the drying apparatus comprising an inlet for compressed gas to be dried and an outlet for dried compressed gas, the drying apparatus comprising at least two containers for containing a regenerative desiccant, and a controllable valve device comprising a first valve block and a second valve block connecting the inlet and outlet to the containers, respectively, the controllable valve device enabling drying of the compressed gas in at least one container while regenerating and cooling the other container, and the valve device being controlled so that each of the containers can be dried sequentially, the drying apparatus further comprising a regeneration means according to the present invention, the regeneration line being connected to the second valve block for connecting the regeneration line to the regeneration inlet of the drying apparatus.

[0040] The advantages of such a drying apparatus are similar to the advantages of the regenerating agent according to the present invention.

[0041] Preferably, the cooling line is connected to a first valve block to connect the cooling line to the cooling inlet of the drying apparatus.

[0042] According to a preferred feature of the present invention, the internal volume of the additional container is smaller than the internal volume of each of the at least two containers mentioned above.

[0043] This ensures that the entire volume of desiccant in the additional container is always completely regenerated during cooling, and as a result, prevents any moisture from remaining in the additional container at the start of the regeneration process.

[0044] To better illustrate the features of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the regeneration means and drying apparatus for drying compressed gas according to the present invention are described below, non-limiting and illustrative, with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0045] [Figure 1]A schematic diagram shows a drying apparatus according to the present invention for drying compressed gas, which is equipped with a regeneration means according to the present invention. [Figure 2] The drying apparatus shown in Figure 1 is shown in a different position. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0046] The compressed gas drying apparatus 1 shown in Figure 1 includes an inlet 2 for the compressed gas to be dried and an outlet 3 for the dried compressed gas.

[0047] In the example shown in Figure 1, the inlet 2 is connected to the outlet 4 of the compressor 5.

[0048] The drying apparatus 1 further comprises two containers 6a and 6b for containing a regenerative desiccant.

[0049] The present invention does not exclude the possibility that the apparatus 1 includes three or more such containers 6a, 6b.

[0050] Furthermore, the device 1 includes a controllable valve device 7, which consists of a first valve block 8a and a second valve block 8b.

[0051] The first valve block 8a connects the containers 6a and 6b to the inlet 2 for the compressed gas to be dried, and the second valve block 8b connects the containers 6a and 6b to the outlet 3 for the dried compressed gas.

[0052] The valve blocks 8a and 8b described above are systems of different pipes and valves that can be controlled so that at least one container 6a or 6b is regenerated and then cooled, while the other containers 6a or 6b(s) are dried out of the compressed gas, thereby controlling the valve device 7 so that each of the containers 6a and 6b dries out the compressed gas in turn.

[0053] According to the present invention, the apparatus 1 further comprises the regeneration means 9 according to the present invention.

[0054] According to the present invention, these regeneration means 9 include a regeneration line 10.

[0055] This regeneration line 10 is connected to the regeneration inlet 11 of the drying device 1.

[0056] The regeneration line 10 is connected to the second valve block 8b. Therefore, the regeneration inlet 11 is located at the position of this second valve block 8b.

[0057] The regenerated gas can be supplied into the drying apparatus 1 through this regeneration inlet 11.

[0058] The regenerated gas can be supplied to the regenerated containers 6a and 6b via the regeneration line 10 and the regeneration inlet 11.

[0059] In addition, the regeneration means 9 is equipped with a blower 12, the outlet 13 of which is connected to the regeneration inlet 11 by the regeneration line 10. The regeneration gas can be supplied via the blower 12, which in turn draws in ambient air. Of course, it is not ruled out to provide other means for drawing in ambient air instead of the blower 12.

[0060] Between the outlet 13 of the blower 12 and the regeneration inlet 11, a heating means 14 is provided in the regeneration line 10 so that the regenerated gas can be heated before it flows into and passes through the regenerated containers 6a and 6b.

[0061] In this case, these heating means 14 are composed of an electric heating system, but it is not ruled out that they may be composed of a steam heater or heat exchanger incorporated into the regeneration line 10.

[0062] Furthermore, the heating means 14 can also be configured as a heat exchanger that heats the regenerated gas using the compression heat from the compressor 5.

[0063] In the example shown in Figure 1, the regeneration means further includes a valve system 15 configured to connect the outlet 13 of the blower 12 to a cooling line 16 connected to the cooling inlet 17 of the drying apparatus 1.

[0064] Please also refer to Figure 2, which shows how the valve system 15 achieves the above connection.

[0065] In this case, the cooling line 16 is connected to the first valve block 8a. Therefore, the cooling inlet 17 is located at the position of the first valve block 8a.

[0066] As shown in Figure 2, cooling gas can be supplied into the drying apparatus 1 through this cooling inlet 17.

[0067] Regeneration gas can be supplied to the regenerated containers 6a and 6b via this cooling line 16 and cooling inlet 11.

[0068] Each of the regeneration line 10 and the cooling line 16 is connected to different valve blocks 8a and 8b.

[0069] The valve system 15 is configured to allow the regeneration line 10 and the cooling line 16 to be connected to the outlet 13 and blow-off opening 18 of the blower 12, respectively, or vice versa.

[0070] The regeneration line 10 is connected to the outlet 13 of the blower 12 and the cooling line 16 is connected to the blow-off opening 18, or vice versa, that is, the cooling line 16 is connected to the outlet 13 of the blower 12 and the regeneration line 10 is connected to the blow-off opening 18.

[0071] Please note that the above operation means that in the case of Figure 1, the cooling inlet 17 functions as a regeneration outlet, and in the case of Figure 2, the regeneration inlet 11 functions as a cooling outlet.

[0072] While it is possible to provide blowers 12 and blow-off openings 18 in both the regeneration line 10 and the cooling line 16, and to provide a switching mechanism for switching between them, in the example shown in Figure 1, in order to achieve a more compact design, it has been chosen to provide a valve system 15 as a four-way valve 19 in the device 1.

[0073] However, such a compact valve system 15 does not necessarily need to include a four-way valve 19.

[0074] The valve system 15 is preferably, - Four-way valve (19) - Three-way valve - Butterfly valve - On / Off Valve It comprises one or more of the following components.

[0075] The valve system 15 can consist of, for example, four separate butterfly valves, four separate on / off valves, or two three-way valves.

[0076] The regeneration line 10 and the cooling line 16 can be connected via the four-way valve 19 to the outlet 13 and blow-off opening 18 of the blower 12, respectively, or vice versa.

[0077] Therefore, one connection point of the four-way valve 19 is connected to the regeneration line 10, one connection point to the cooling line 16, one connection point to the blow-off opening 18, and one connection point to the outlet 13 of the blower 12.

[0078] By switching the four-way valve 19, it is possible to select which of the regeneration line 10 and the cooling line 16 is connected to the outlet 13 of the blower 12 and which is connected to the blow-off opening 18.

[0079] Figure 1 shows the first position of the four-way valve 19, and the regeneration line 10 is connected to the outlet 13 of the blower 12.

[0080] The apparatus 1 is configured such that, at this position of the four-way valve 19, ambient air drawn in by the blower 12 can reach the regenerated container 6b through the four-way valve 19, the regeneration line 10, and the second valve block 8b.

[0081] Of course, the valve device 7 is appropriately controlled here to allow for the correct flow of ambient air.

[0082] Figure 2 shows the second position of the four-way valve 19, with the regeneration line 10 connected to the blow-off opening 18.

[0083] The apparatus 1 is configured such that, at this position of the four-way valve 19, ambient air drawn in by the blower 12 can enter the container 6b to be cooled through the four-way valve 19, the cooling line 16, and the first valve block 8a.

[0084] Furthermore, the valve device 7 is appropriately controlled here to allow for the correct flow of ambient air.

[0085] Furthermore, it is not ruled out that, instead of the four-way valve 19, a valve block with, for example, four valves, or other means that can achieve the same configuration as the four-way valve 19, may be used.

[0086] According to the present invention, the additional container 20 is incorporated into the regeneration line 10 between the blow-off opening 18 or the blower 12 and the heating means 14 described above.

[0087] As can be seen from the diagram, the cooling line 16 will connect to the regeneration line 10 via the valve system 15 at a position between the outlet 13 of the blower 12 on one side and the additional container 20 on the other.

[0088] Furthermore, this additional container 20 is equipped with a reusable desiccant.

[0089] In this case, preferably, this is a water-resistant desiccant such as silica gel or activated aluminum oxide (activated alumina).

[0090] This has the advantage that even if condensation occurs in the additional container 20, it will not affect the desiccant.

[0091] In this case, the additional container 20 is manufactured, for example, by extrusion molding from aluminum. Alternatively, the additional container 20 can be, for example, a tubular body, more specifically a steel pipe.

[0092] Since the additional container 20 does not contain compressed gas, it does not need to be a pressure vessel, but this does not rule out the possibility that the additional container 20 is a pressure vessel.

[0093] In this case, the additional container 20 is wrapped in insulating material 21 to provide thermal insulation to the additional container.

[0094] Alternatively, the additional container 20 can be thermally insulated by applying an insulating coating to the inside and / or outside of the additional container 20.

[0095] Preferably, the internal volume of the additional container 20 is smaller than the internal volume of each of the containers 6a and 6b, and as a result, the amount of desiccant in the additional container 20 is also smaller than the amount of desiccant in one of the containers 6a and 6b.

[0096] Preferably, the internal volume of the additional container 20 is at most 1 / 3, more preferably 1 / 4, of the internal volume of one of the two containers 6a and 6b.

[0097] The preferred maximum dimensions of the additional container 20 depend on the expected environmental parameters.

[0098] When the relative humidity is 100%, the internal volume of the additional container 20 is preferably 1 / 3 of the internal volume of the above containers 6a and 6b.

[0099] When the relative humidity is 70%, the internal volume of the additional container 20 is preferably 1 / 4 of the internal volume of the containers 6a and 6b.

[0100] In this case, the apparatus 1 includes a temperature sensor 22 configured to measure the temperature at a location between the electric heater 14 and the inlets of the regenerated containers 6a and 6b. Note that in this specification, “inlets of the regenerated containers 6a and 6b” means the side of containers 6a and 6b into which the regenerated gas enters the container.

[0101] In the example shown in Figure 1, the temperature sensor 22 is located in the regeneration line 10 between the electric heater 14 and the second valve block 8b.

[0102] This location has the advantage of requiring only one temperature sensor 22. However, it is also possible to install a temperature sensor 22 at each of the inlets of containers 6a and 6b.

[0103] In the example shown in Figure 1, the temperature sensor 22 is located between the heating means 14 and the second valve block 8b, but this is not mandatory.

[0104] Finally, the apparatus 1 in this example includes a control unit 23 for controlling the heating means 14 based on the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 22.

[0105] For this purpose, the control unit 1 is connected to the temperature sensor 22 and the heating means 14.

[0106] The operation of drying apparatus 1 is very simple and is as follows:

[0107] When device 1 is in operation, the compressed gas to be dried passes through inlet 2 and, under appropriate control by valve device 7, enters container 6a which is undergoing the drying process.

[0108] In the examples shown in Figures 1 and 2, the container 6a on the left dries the compressed gas.

[0109] As the gas passes through container 6a on the left, the desiccant will extract moisture from the gas.

[0110] The dried compressed gas will exit the device 1 through outlet 3.

[0111] Proper control of the valve device 7 ensures the correct flow path for the compressed gas to be dried.

[0112] On the other hand, in this case, container 6b on the right has already dried the gas in the previous cycle or stage, contains moisture, and is regenerated during this time.

[0113] This specification uses a regeneration cycle, which includes heating ambient air, passing it through an associated container 6b, and then ejecting it.

[0114] For this purpose, the four-way valve 19 is switched to the first position, as shown in Figure 1.

[0115] The blower 12 draws in ambient air that enters the additional container 20 via the four-way valve 19.

[0116] Here, the surrounding air is dried and then heated by the heating means 14.

[0117] Based on the measured temperature of the ambient air coming out of the additional container 20, the control unit 23 appropriately controls the heating means 10 so that the ambient air reaches the desired temperature so that the associated container 6b can be regenerated.

[0118] The control unit 23 takes into account the fact that the ambient air is dry, and that the ambient air can be dried more efficiently, so the temperature does not need to be set as high as it would be for undried ambient air.

[0119] The dried and heated ambient air will be supplied to the right-hand container 6b via the second valve block 8b to regenerate the desiccant in container 6b.

[0120] After passing through container 6b, the desiccant inside container 6b will not only be dried but also heated.

[0121] Subsequently, the ambient air exits the device 1 through the first valve block 8a, the four-way valve 19, and the blow-off opening 18.

[0122] Here, container 6b on the right is being regenerated, meaning that moisture has been removed from the desiccant and it has been heated.

[0123] This container 6b is first cooled to ensure that the compressed gas can be optimally dried in the next cycle or step.

[0124] Ultimately, low-temperature desiccants dry things better than high-temperature desiccants.

[0125] Therefore, as shown in Figure 2, the four-way valve 19 is switched to the second position.

[0126] Since the state or position of the valve device 7 is not changed, the container 6a on the left can still dry the compressed gas during that time.

[0127] By switching the four-way valve 19, ambient air drawn in by the blower 12 passes through the first valve block 8a and reaches the container 6b, where it dissipates heat.

[0128] After passing through the second valve block 8b and the heater 14, the now heated ambient air reaches the additional container 20.

[0129] Please note that the control unit 23 switches off the heating means 10 at the latest when cooling begins.

[0130] The heated ambient air will regenerate the additional container 20, meaning that the moisture taken in from the ambient air in the previous step will be extracted from the additional container 20, and the desiccant will also be heated.

[0131] As a result of this process, the container 6b on the right will be cooled, and the additional container 20 will be regenerated and heated.

[0132] Because the insulating material 21 is provided, all of this heat is optimally stored in the additional container 20.

[0133] At the end of this cooling step, the desiccant in container 6a on the left will be saturated and this container will be reusable, while container 6b on the right will be in a state where the compressed gas can be dried.

[0134] By controlling or switching the valve device 7, it is possible to ensure that the compressed gas to be dried reaches the container 6b on the right and is dried there.

[0135] At the same time, container 6a on the left will be regenerated in the same way as in the previous step.

[0136] Here, as shown in Figure 1, the four-way valve 19 is returned to the first position.

[0137] The blower 12 will draw in ambient air that reaches the additional container 20.

[0138] In this scenario, the surrounding air is not only dried but also heated, at least partially.

[0139] As a result, the dried and preheated ambient air will reach the heating means 14 through the regeneration line 10.

[0140] The control unit 23 will control the heating means 14 based on the temperature sensor 22.

[0141] Since the ambient air is already preheated, the heating means 14 does not need to be set to a very high temperature, and as a result, the maximum temperature that the heating means 14 needs to supply is not very high.

[0142] Furthermore, the regeneration of container 6a and the subsequent cooling proceed in the same manner as described above for container 6b on the right.

[0143] After the container 6a on the left cools, the container 6b on the right becomes saturated, and the containers can be replaced again.

[0144] After that, the entire cycle repeats from the beginning.

[0145] In the illustrated example, there are only two containers 6a and 6b, but the existence of three or more containers 6a and 6b cannot be ruled out. In that case, at least one of the containers 6a and 6b will always be drying the compressed gas.

[0146] For example, there may be six containers 6a and 6b, of which three containers 6a and 6b will dry the compressed gas, two containers 6a and 6b will be regenerated, and one container 6a and 6b will be cooled.

[0147] In the illustrated example, the temperature sensor 22 is located after the heating means 14, but it is not ruled out that the temperature sensor 22 may be located elsewhere in the regeneration line.

[0148] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described and illustrated as examples, and the apparatus and method for drying compressed gas according to the present invention can be realized in any modification without departing from the scope of the invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0149] 1 Drying device 9 Regeneration means 10 Regeneration lines 11 Regeneration entrance 12 Blower 13 Exit 14 Heating methods 20 Add container

Claims

1. A regeneration means for regenerating a desiccant in a drying apparatus (1) for compressed gas, wherein the regeneration means (9) comprises a regeneration line (10) connected to a regeneration inlet (11) of the drying apparatus (1), the regeneration line (10) connects the regeneration inlet (11) to the outlet (13) of a blower (12) for supplying regenerated gas, and a heating means (14) for heating the regenerated gas is provided between the outlet (13) of the blower (12) and the regeneration inlet (11). On the one hand, an additional container (20) containing a desiccant for drying the regenerated gas is provided between the outlet (13) of the blower (12) and the heating means (14). The regeneration means further comprises a valve system (15) configured to connect the outlet (13) of the blower (12) to a cooling line (16) connected to the cooling inlet (17) of the drying apparatus (1), The heating means (14) on which the regeneration line (10) is provided comprises an electric heater (14), a steam heater, or a heat exchanger incorporated into the regeneration line (10), The valve system (15) is configured such that the regeneration line (10) and the cooling line (16) can be connected to the outlet (13) and blow-off opening (18) of the blower (12), respectively, or vice versa. The cooling line (16) is configured such that when one end is connected to the outlet (13) of the blower (12), the other end of the cooling line (16) is connected to the regeneration line (10) at a position between the outlet (13) of the blower (12) and the additional container (20). The heating means (14) is positioned so that when the outlet (13) of the blower (12) is connected to the regeneration line (10), it is located downstream of the additional container (20). A recycling method characterized by the following features.

2. The valve system (15) is - Four-way valve (19) - Three-way valve - Butterfly valve - On / Off valve A system comprising one or more of the following: The recycling means described in claim 1.

3. A water-resistant desiccant is placed inside the additional container (20). The recycling means described in claim 1.

4. The aforementioned additional container (20) is manufactured by extrusion molding or tubular construction. The recycling means described in claim 1.

5. The additional container (20) is thermally insulated. The recycling means described in claim 1.

6. A drying apparatus for drying compressed gas, wherein the drying apparatus (1) comprises an inlet (2) for the compressed gas to be dried and an outlet (3) for the dried compressed gas, the drying apparatus (1) comprises at least two containers (6a, 6b) for containing regenerative compressed gas, and a controllable valve device (7) comprising a first valve block (8a) and a second valve block (8b) connecting the inlet (2) and the outlet (3) to the containers (6a, 6b), respectively, the controllable valve device (7) is configured to allow at least one container (6a, 6b) to dry the compressed gas while the other container (6a, 6b) is regenerated and cooled, and by controlling the valve device (7), each of the containers (6a, 6b) can be dried in sequence. The drying apparatus (1) further comprises the regeneration means (9) described in claim 1, and the regeneration line (10) is connected to the second valve block (8b) to connect the regeneration line (10) to the regeneration inlet (11) of the drying apparatus (1). A drying apparatus characterized in that the cooling line (16) is connected to the first valve block (8a) in order to connect the cooling line (16) to the cooling inlet (17) of the drying apparatus (1).

7. The additional container (20) has an internal volume smaller than the internal volume of each of the at least two containers (6a, 6b). The drying apparatus according to claim 6.

8. The internal volume of the additional container (20) is at most 1 / 3 or at most 1 / 4 of the internal volume of one of the at least two containers (6a, 6b). The drying apparatus according to claim 7.

9. The drying apparatus (1) is equipped with a temperature sensor (22) located between the heating means (14) and the containers (6a, 6b) to be regenerated. The drying apparatus according to claim 6.

10. The drying apparatus (1) includes a control unit (23) for controlling the heating means (10) based on the temperature measured by the temperature sensor (22). The drying apparatus according to claim 9.

Images