Compressed air generating apparatus and compressed air generating method

Abstract

To eliminate a bypass cooler and an ejector for a regeneration zone outlet flow passage in a compressed-air generation device including a suction type dryer.SOLUTION: A compressed-air generation device 1 includes: a compressor unit 2 including a plurality of compressors 21A, 21B disposed at multiple stages; and a suction type dryer 3. Only an expansion mechanism 60 is provided at a regeneration zone outlet flow passage 54 which discharges compressed-air which has passed through a regeneration zone 41 of the suction type dryer 3 from the suction type dryer 3. The regeneration zone outlet flow passage 54 is connected to a passage in the compressor unit 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a compressed air generating device and a compressed air generating method.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a compressed air generating device including a compressor and an adsorption dryer that adsorbs and dries moisture from the compressed air discharged from the compressor. The adsorption dryer includes an adsorption rotor that rotates within a casing. The interior of the casing is partitioned into a treatment zone, a regeneration zone, and a cooling zone that respectively extend in the rotational axis direction of the adsorption rotor.

[0003] The compressed air discharged from the compressor is supplied to the treatment zone through a treatment zone inlet passage provided with an aftercooler. The compressed air is adsorbed (dehumidified) of moisture by a portion of the adsorption rotor located in the treatment zone and then supplied to the demand side.

[0004] A part of the compressed air before passing through the aftercooler of the treatment zone inlet passage, that is, high-temperature compressed air with a relatively low relative humidity, is supplied to the regeneration zone. The moisture adsorbed on a portion of the adsorption rotor located in the regeneration zone is released to the compressed air. Thereby, the moisture is removed from the adsorption rotor and it is regenerated.

[0005] A part of the compressed air after passing through the aftercooler of the treatment zone inlet passage and before being supplied to the treatment zone is supplied as a cooling gas to the cooling zone. Thereby, the adsorption medium of a portion of the adsorption rotor located in the cooling zone is cooled and the drying ability is restored.

[0006] The compressed air that has passed through the regeneration zone is returned to the downstream side of the aftercooler in the processing zone inlet channel via the regeneration zone outlet channel. A bypass cooler is provided in the regeneration zone outlet channel. An ejector is also provided at the point where the processing zone inlet channel and the regeneration zone outlet channel merge. The ejector increases the flow velocity and reduces the pressure of the compressed air heading towards the processing zone via the processing zone inlet channel, thereby drawing the compressed air from the regeneration zone outlet channel into the processing zone inlet channel. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 6-31131 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0008] The ejector installed in the discharge channel may not be able to draw compressed air from the bypass channel depending on the dimensional tolerances of the components, which can affect the dew point performance of the adsorption dryer and make it unreliable.

[0009] Furthermore, bypass coolers are generally water-cooled and large, which limits their installation options.

[0010] The present invention aims to eliminate the bypass cooler and ejector for the regeneration zone outlet channel that returns the compressed air that has passed through the regeneration zone of the adsorption dryer back to the processing zone inlet channel in a compressed air generating apparatus equipped with an adsorption dryer. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] A first aspect of the present invention includes a compressor unit comprising a plurality of compressors arranged in a multi-stage configuration, each generating compressed air, and a first cooler for cooling the compressed air discharged from the last compressor among the plurality of compressors; a rotary adsorption rotor formed in a cylindrical shape and having a plurality of rotor channels that penetrate in the direction of the central axis, with an adsorption medium on the wall surface constituting each of the plurality of rotor channels; an adsorption dryer formed in a cylindrical shape, rotatably supporting the adsorption rotor which is concentrically housed, and comprising a casing whose interior is divided around the central axis into a processing zone, a regeneration zone, and a cooling zone, each extending in the direction of the central axis; a processing zone inlet channel for supplying the compressed air discharged from the last compressor and passing through the first cooler to the processing zone; and a channel through the processing zone The present invention provides a compressed air generating device comprising: a processing zone outlet channel for supplying the processed compressed air to the demand side; a regeneration zone inlet channel for supplying a portion of the compressed air discharged from the last stage compressor among the plurality of compressors of the compressor unit and before passing through the first cooler to the regeneration zone; a regeneration zone outlet channel for discharging the compressed air that has passed through the regeneration zone from the adsorption dryer; a cooling zone inlet channel for supplying a portion of the compressed air that has passed through the processing zone to the cooling zone; and a cooling zone outlet channel for discharging the compressed air that has passed through the cooling zone from the adsorption dryer, wherein the regeneration zone outlet channel is provided only with an expansion mechanism, and the regeneration zone outlet channel is connected to a channel within the compressor unit.

[0012] Since the compressed air flowing through the regeneration zone outlet channel is expanded by the expansion mechanism, the regeneration zone outlet channel can be connected to the channel within the compressor unit, meaning that the compressed air that has passed through the regeneration zone can be returned to the compressor unit. Therefore, there is no need to provide an ejector in the processing zone inlet channel to return the compressed air from the regeneration zone outlet channel to the processing zone inlet channel. Furthermore, since the temperature of the compressed air returning to the compressor unit through the regeneration zone outlet channel decreases when it expands by the expansion mechanism, there is no need to provide a bypass cooler in the regeneration zone outlet channel. Thus, with the compressed air generation apparatus of this embodiment, the bypass cooler and ejector for the regeneration zone outlet channel can be eliminated.

[0013] The regeneration zone outlet channel may be connected to a connecting channel that connects the Nth stage compressor and the N+1th stage compressor.

[0014] The aforementioned expansion mechanism may be an expansion valve.

[0015] The compressor unit further comprises a second cooler provided in the connecting passage, and the regeneration zone outlet passage may be connected between the Nth stage compressor and the second cooler in the connecting passage.

[0016] A cooling jacket may be provided in the casing of at least one of the plurality of compressors, and the cooling jacket may be interposed in the regeneration zone outlet flow path.

[0017] Equipment within the compressor unit may be interposed in the regeneration zone outlet channel.

[0018] The expansion mechanism may be an expander provided in the compressor unit.

[0019] The expander may further include a generator connected to it, and the power generated by the generator may be supplied to a motor that drives at least one of the plurality of compressors.

[0020] The output shaft of the expander and the output shaft of the motor that drives at least one of the plurality of compressors may be the same.

[0021] A second aspect of the present invention includes a compressor unit comprising a plurality of multi-stage compressors, each generating compressed air, and a first cooler for cooling the compressed air discharged from the last compressor among the plurality of compressors; a rotary adsorption rotor formed in a cylindrical shape and having a plurality of rotor passages penetrating in the direction of the central axis, with an adsorption medium on the wall surface constituting each of the plurality of rotor passages; an adsorption dryer formed in a cylindrical shape, rotatably supporting the adsorption rotor housed concentrically, and comprising a casing whose interior is divided around the central axis into a processing zone, a regeneration zone, and a cooling zone, each extending in the direction of the central axis; a processing zone inlet passage for supplying the compressed air discharged from the last compressor and passing through the first cooler to the processing zone; and a device for supplying the compressed air that has passed through the processing zone to the demand side. The present invention provides a compressed air generation method comprising: a processing zone outlet channel; a regeneration zone inlet channel that supplies a portion of the compressed air discharged from the last stage compressor among the plurality of compressors of the compressor unit and before passing through the first cooler to the regeneration zone; a regeneration zone outlet channel that discharges the compressed air that has passed through the regeneration zone from the adsorption dryer; a cooling zone inlet channel that supplies a portion of the compressed air that has passed through the processing zone to the cooling zone; and a cooling zone outlet channel that discharges the compressed air that has passed through the cooling zone from the adsorption dryer, wherein the compressed air is expanded in the regeneration zone outlet channel and returned to the channel within the compressor unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0022] According to the compressed air generating apparatus equipped with an adsorption dryer of the present invention, a bypass cooler and ejector for the regeneration zone outlet channel that returns the compressed air that has passed through the regeneration zone of the adsorption dryer back to the processing zone inlet channel can be eliminated. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0023] [Figure 1] Configuration diagram of the compressed air generation device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Front view of the adsorption dryer. [Figure 3] Cross-sectional view taken along line III-III of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] Schematic diagram for explaining the flow path of the adsorption dryer. [Figure 5] Configuration diagram of the compressed air generation device according to a modified example of the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] Configuration diagram of the compressed air generation device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] Configuration diagram of the compressed air generation device according to the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] Configuration diagram of the compressed air generation device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] Configuration diagram of the compressed air generation device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0024] Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0025] (First Embodiment) Referring to FIG. 1, the compressed air generation device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a compressor unit 2, an adsorption dryer 3, and a flow path group 5.

[0026] The compressor unit 2 includes two oil-free compressors arranged in two stages that generate compressed air, that is, a low-pressure stage compressor 21A and a high-pressure stage compressor 21B. The low-pressure stage compressor 21A and the high-pressure stage compressor 21B each have a suction port 21a and a discharge port 21b and are driven by a motor 23 powered by an inverter 22. In the present embodiment, both the low-pressure stage compressor 21A and the high-pressure stage compressor 21B are screw compressors equipped with male and female rotors.

[0027] The discharge port 21b of the low-pressure stage compressor 21A and the suction port 21a of the high-pressure stage compressor 21B are connected by a connecting passage 24. An intercooler (second cooler) 25 is provided in the connecting passage 24. A processing zone inlet passage 51, which will be described in detail later, is connected to the discharge port 21b of the high-pressure stage compressor 21B, and an aftercooler (first cooler) 26 is provided in this processing zone inlet passage 51.

[0028] Referring together to Figures 2 to 4, the suction-type dryer 3 has a rotary suction rotor 31 and a casing 32 which is formed in a cylindrical shape and rotatably supports the suction rotor 31 which is housed concentrically. The suction-type dryer 3 of this embodiment is a vertical dryer in which the central axis CA of the suction rotor 31 extends in the vertical direction.

[0029] The adsorption rotor 31 is cylindrical in shape and has numerous fine rotor channels 31a (see Figure 3) that penetrate in the axial direction, with adsorption media 31b (see Figure 3) on the walls constituting the rotor channels 31a. For example, the adsorption rotor 31 can be made of a honeycomb structure material obtained by chemically synthesizing an adsorption media 31b such as silica gel with ceramic. The adsorption rotor 31 is supported by a shaft 34 coupled to the output shaft of a motor 33 (see Figure 1), and is rotationally driven by the motor 33 in the direction indicated by the arrow RD in Figure 3.

[0030] The casing 32 comprises a cylindrical portion 32a having an inner diameter approximately the same as the outer diameter of the suction rotor 31, and a lid portion 32b and a bottom portion 32c that close the upper and lower parts of the cylindrical portion 32a, respectively. The lid portion 32b forms an upper closed space 35 between itself and the upper end surface of the suction rotor 31, and the bottom portion 14c forms a lower closed space 36 between itself and the lower end surface of the suction rotor 11.

[0031] Referring to Figure 3, the inside of the lid portion 32b is provided with three partition walls 32d, 32e, and 32f that divide the upper closed space 35 around the central axis CA. These partition walls 32d to 32fc divide the upper closed space 35 into three closed spaces 35a, 35b, and 35c arranged in order along the rotational direction RD. Referring to Figure 4, similar to the lid portion 32b, the inside of the bottom portion 32c is provided with three partition walls 32g, 32h, and 32i that extend radially and divide the lower closed space 36 around the central axis CA. These partition walls 32g to 32i divide the lower closed space 36 into three closed spaces 36a, 36b, and 36c arranged in order along the rotational direction RD. The closed spaces 36a to 36c are each located in the same circumferential range around the central axis CA with respect to the closed spaces 35a to 36c.

[0032] The casing 32 is divided into three zones, namely the processing zone 41, the regeneration zone 42, and the cooling zone 43, by three spaces 35a to 35c in the upper closed space 35, three spaces 36a to 36c in the lower closed space 36, and rotor channels 31a between them. The processing zone 41 is composed of the upper closed space 35a, the lower closed space 36a, and multiple rotor channels 31a located between them. The regeneration zone 42 is composed of the upper closed space 35b, the lower closed space 36b, and multiple rotor channels 31a located between them. Furthermore, the cooling zone 43 is composed of the upper closed space 35c, the lower closed space 36c, and multiple rotor channels 31a located between them.

[0033] Referring to Figure 2, the lid portion 32b is provided with connection ports 32j, 32k, and 32l, respectively, which communicate with the processing zone 41, the regeneration zone 42, and the cooling zone 43. Similarly, the bottom portion 32c is provided with connection ports 32m, 32n, and 32o, respectively, which communicate with the processing zone 41, the regeneration zone 42, and the cooling zone 43.

[0034] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the flow path group 5 includes a processing zone inlet flow path 51, a processing zone outlet flow path 52, a regeneration zone inlet flow path 53, a regeneration zone outlet flow path 54, a cooling zone inlet flow path 55, and a cooling zone outlet flow path 56.

[0035] The processing zone inlet channel 51 is connected at one end to the discharge port 21b of the high-pressure stage compressor 21B, and at the other end to the connection port 32m of the suction dryer 3, and therefore to the closed space 36a of the processing zone 41. An aftercooler 26 is provided in the processing zone inlet channel 51.

[0036] The processing zone outlet channel 52 has one end connected to the connection port 32j of the suction dryer 3, and therefore to the closed space 35a of the processing zone 41, and the other end connected to the demand side (not shown). A pressure gauge 62A is provided in the processing zone outlet channel 52.

[0037] The regeneration zone inlet channel 53 is connected at one end to the portion of the processing zone inlet channel 51 between the discharge port 21b of the high-pressure stage compressor 21B and the aftercooler 26, and at the other end to the connection port 32k of the adsorption dryer 3, and therefore to the closed space 35b of the regeneration zone 42. The regeneration zone inlet channel 53 is provided with a control valve 61 and a pressure gauge 62B.

[0038] The regeneration zone outlet channel 54 has one end connected to the connection port 32n of the adsorption dryer 3, and therefore to the closed space 36b of the regeneration zone 42, and the other end connected to the portion of the connection channel 24 between the discharge port 21b of the low-pressure stage compressor 21A and the intercooler 25. An expansion valve (expansion mechanism) 60 is provided in the regeneration zone outlet channel 54.

[0039] The cooling zone inlet channel 55 is connected at one end to the processing zone outlet channel 52 and at the other end to the connection port 32l of the adsorption dryer 3, and therefore to the closed space 35c of the cooling zone 43.

[0040] The cooling zone outlet channel 56 has one end connected to the connection port 32o of the adsorption dryer 3, and therefore to the closed space 36c of the cooling zone 43, and the other end connected to the portion of the regeneration zone outlet channel 54 between the connection port 32n of the adsorption dryer and the expansion valve 60.

[0041] The operation of the compressed air generator 1 during operation will be described below.

[0042] The low-pressure stage compressor 21A compresses the air drawn in from the intake port 21a and discharges it as compressed air from the discharge port 21b into the connecting channel 24. The compressed air discharged into the connecting channel 24 is cooled by the intercooler 25, then drawn in from the intake port 21a to the high-pressure stage compressor 21B, where it is further compressed and discharged from the discharge port 21b of the high-pressure stage compressor 21B into the processing zone inlet channel 51. Through the processing zone inlet channel 51, the compressed air discharged from the high-pressure stage compressor 21B and cooled by the aftercooler 26 is supplied to the processing zone 41 of the adsorption dryer 3. The compressed air has moisture adsorbed (dehumidified) by the portion of the adsorption rotor 31 located in the processing zone 41. The compressed air that has passed through the processing zone 41 is supplied to the demand side through the processing zone outlet channel 52.

[0043] The regeneration zone inlet channel 53 supplies a portion of the compressed air discharged from the high-pressure stage compressor 21B before it passes through the aftercooler 26, i.e., high-temperature compressed air with relatively low relative humidity, to the regeneration zone 42 of the adsorption dryer 3. Moisture adsorbed on the portion of the adsorption rotor 31 located in the regeneration zone 42 is released into the supplied compressed air. This removes moisture from the adsorption rotor 31, thus regenerating it. The compressed air that has passed through the regeneration zone 42 flows through the regeneration zone outlet channel 54 towards the connecting channel 24, more specifically, the portion of the connecting channel 24 between the discharge port 21b of the low-pressure stage compressor 21A and the intercooler 25. The compressed air flowing through the regeneration zone outlet channel 54 expands as it passes through the expansion valve 60, allowing it to merge with the compressed air discharged from the discharge port 21b of the low-pressure compressor 21A in the connecting channel 24.

[0044] A portion of the air that has passed through the processing zone 41 is supplied to the cooling zone 43 of the adsorption dryer 3 via the cooling zone inlet channel 55. This cools the adsorption medium in the portion of the adsorption rotor 31 located in the cooling zone 43, restoring its drying capacity. The compressed air that has passed through the cooling zone 43 is sent to the regenerated air outlet channel 54 via the cooling zone outlet channel 56.

[0045] In the compressed air generator 1 of this embodiment, the compressed air flowing through the regeneration zone outlet channel 54 is expanded by the expansion valve 60. Therefore, the regeneration zone outlet channel 54 can be connected to the connecting channel 24 in the compressor unit 2, meaning that the compressed air that has passed through the regeneration zone 42 of the adsorption dryer 3 can be returned to the compressor unit 2. For this reason, there is no need to provide an ejector in the processing zone inlet channel 51 to return the compressed air from the regeneration zone outlet channel 54 to the processing zone inlet channel 51. Also, since the temperature of the compressed air returning to the compressor unit 2 through the regeneration zone outlet channel 54 decreases when it is expanded by the expansion valve 60, there is no need to provide a bypass cooler in the regeneration zone outlet channel 54. Thus, the compressed air generator 1 of this embodiment eliminates the need for a bypass cooler and ejector for the regeneration zone outlet channel 54.

[0046] When the dew point of the compressed air supplied to the demand side decreases, the throttle of the control valve 61 is adjusted so that the pressure P1 detected by the pressure gauge 62A installed in the processed air outlet passage 52 is greater than the pressure P2 detected by the pressure gauge 62B installed in the regenerated air inlet passage 53. In the compressed air generator 1 of this embodiment, as described above, the bypass cooler and ejector for the regenerated zone outlet passage 54 can be eliminated, and since there is no pressure loss caused by these, the adjustment range of the throttle of the control valve 61 can be secured, and it is easy to adjust the pressure P1 to be greater than the pressure P2.

[0047] In a modified example of the first embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 5, the regeneration zone outlet channel 54 has one end connected to the connection port 32n of the adsorption dryer 3, and therefore to the closed space 36b of the regeneration zone 42, and the other end connected to the portion of the connection channel 24 between the intercooler 25 and the suction port 21a of the high-pressure stage compressor 21B.

[0048] Other embodiments of the present invention are described below. These embodiments are the same as those of the first embodiment unless otherwise specified. Furthermore, in the drawings of these embodiments, elements identical or similar to those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0049] (Second Embodiment) In the compressed air generating apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 6, a cooling jacket 21e is provided on the casing 21c of the low-pressure stage compressor 21A and the high-pressure stage compressor 21B.

[0050] The regeneration zone outlet channel 54 has a main channel 54a, one end of which is connected to the connection port 32n of the adsorption dryer 3, and therefore to the closed space 36b of the regeneration zone 42, and the other end of which is connected to the portion of the connection channel 24 between the discharge port 21b of the low-pressure stage compressor 21A and the intercooler 25. An expansion valve 60 is provided in the main channel 54a. In addition, the cooling jacket 21e of the low-pressure stage compressor 21A is interposed in the main channel 54a.

[0051] The regeneration zone outlet channel 54 includes a branch channel 54b that branches off from the main channel 54a between the expansion valve 60 and the cooling jacket 21e of the low-pressure stage compressor 21A, and rejoins the main channel 54a between the low-pressure stage compressor 21A and the connecting channel 24. The cooling jacket 21e of the high-pressure stage compressor 21B is interposed in the branch channel 54b.

[0052] The compressed air, whose temperature has decreased due to expansion by the expansion valve 60, passes through the cooling jackets of the low-pressure stage compressor 21A and the high-pressure stage compressor 21B before flowing into the connecting passage 24. In other words, the compressed air, whose temperature has decreased due to expansion, can cool the low-pressure stage compressor 21A and the high-pressure stage compressor 21B.

[0053] (Third embodiment) In the compressed air generator 1 according to the third embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 7, equipment 63 within the compressor unit 1 is interposed downstream of the expansion valve 60 in the regeneration zone outlet passage 54. Equipment 63 is, for example, a cooler, an air end, etc., and the compressed air whose temperature has been lowered by expansion by the expansion valve 60 is used to cool these devices.

[0054] (Fourth Embodiment) In the compressed air generator 1 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 8, an expansion valve 60 (see, for example, Figure 1) is not provided in the regeneration zone outlet passage 54. In this embodiment, instead of the expansion valve 60, an expander (expansion mechanism) 70 is interposed in the regeneration zone outlet passage 54. Specifically, the regeneration zone outlet passage 54 in this embodiment comprises a first passage 54c, one end of which is connected to the connection port 32n of the adsorption dryer 3, and therefore to the closed space 36b of the regeneration zone 42, and the other end of which is connected to the air intake port 70a of the expansion valve 70; and a second passage 54d, one end of which is connected to the exhaust port 70b of the expander 70, and the other end of which is connected to the portion of the connection passage 24 between the discharge port 21b of the low-pressure stage compressor 21A and the intercooler 25.

[0055] A generator 71 is connected to the expander 70. In this embodiment, the expander 70 is a screw-type expander.

[0056] The compressed air flowing through the regeneration zone outlet channel 54 expands in the expander 70, allowing it to merge with the compressed air discharged from the discharge port 21b of the low-pressure compressor 21A in the connecting channel 24. Therefore, there is no need to provide an ejector in the processing zone inlet channel 51 to return the compressed air from the regeneration zone outlet channel 54 to the processing zone inlet channel 51. Furthermore, the compressed air returning to the compressor unit 2 through the regeneration zone outlet channel 54 experiences a decrease in temperature as it expands in the expander 70, eliminating the need to provide a bypass cooler in the regeneration zone outlet channel 54.

[0057] The electricity generated by the generator 71, which is rotationally driven by the expander 70, is supplied to the inverter 22 of either the low-pressure stage compressor 21A or the high-pressure stage compressor 21B or both. In other words, the electricity generated by the expander 70 is used as part of the operating power of the compressor unit 2. The electricity generated by the generator 71, which is rotationally driven by the expander 70, may also be used to power auxiliary equipment such as an oil pump (not shown) and a fan (not shown) that discharges lubricating oil, or a control power supply such as a controller (not shown).

[0058] (Fifth embodiment) In the compressed air generator 1 according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 9, similar to the fourth embodiment, instead of providing an expansion valve 60 (see, for example, Figure 1) in the regeneration zone outlet passage 54, an expander (expansion mechanism) 70 is interposed between the regeneration zone outlet passage 54, specifically between the first passage 54c and the second passage 54d.

[0059] In this embodiment, the output shaft 70c of the expander 70 is shared with the output shaft 23a of the motor 23 that drives the low-pressure stage compressor 21A. Therefore, the rotational driving force generated by the expander 70 is transmitted to the low-pressure stage compressor 21A through the motor 23.

[0060] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and is capable of various modifications. For example, the compressor unit 2 may consist of three or more compressors arranged in a multi-stage configuration. In this case, the regeneration zone outlet passage 54 is connected to a connecting passage 24 that connects the Nth stage (e.g., the second stage) compressor and the N+1th stage (e.g., the third stage) compressor. Furthermore, the compressors included in the compressor unit 2 are not limited to screw compressors. Moreover, the compressors included in the compressor unit 2 are not limited to compressors having an inverter 22. For example, the compressor may be one in which the motor 23 is not powered by the inverter 22. Furthermore, although embodiments in which the low-pressure stage compressor 21A and the high-pressure stage compressor 21B are each driven by different motors 23 have been described, the low-pressure stage compressor 21A and the high-pressure stage compressor 21B may be driven by the same single motor 23. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0061] 1. Compressed air generator 2 Compressor Unit 21A Low-Pressure Stage Compressor 21B High-pressure stage compressor 21a Inlet 21b Discharge port 21c casing 21d Cooling Jacket 22 Inverters 23 Motor 23a Output shaft 24 Connection Channels 25 Intercooler 26 Aftercooler 3. Adsorption type hair dryer 31 Suction rotor 31a Rotor flow path 31b Adsorption media 32 Casing 32a Cylindrical section 32b Lid 32d,32e,32f bulkhead 32j, 32k, 32l connection ports 32c bottom 32g,32h,32i bulkhead 32m, 32n, 32o connection ports 33 Motor 34 axes 35 Upper closed space 35a~35c Closed space 36 Lower closed space 36a~36c Closed space 37a~37c Bulkhead 38a~38c Bulkhead 41 Processing Zones 42 Regeneration Zone 43 Cooling Zones 5 channel groups 51 Processing Zone Inlet Channel 52 Processing Zone Outlet Channel 53 Regeneration Zone Inlet Channel 54 Regeneration Zone Outlet Channel 54a Main channel 54b Branch channel 54c First channel 54d Second channel 55 Cooling Zone Inlet Flow Channel 56 Cooling Zone Outlet Flow Channel 60 Expansion valve 61 Control valve 62A, 62B pressure gauge 63 Equipment within the compressor unit 70 Inflator 70a Air supply port 70b Exhaust port 71 Generator CA center axis RD rotation direction

Claims

1. A compressor unit including a plurality of compressors arranged in a multi-stage configuration, each generating compressed air, and a first cooler that cools the compressed air discharged from the last compressor among the plurality of compressors, A rotary adsorption rotor, formed in a cylindrical shape and having multiple rotor channels that penetrate in the direction of the central axis, with an adsorption medium on the wall surface constituting each of the multiple rotor channels; and an adsorption dryer, formed in a cylindrical shape and rotatably supporting the adsorption rotor which is concentrically housed there, and comprising a casing whose interior is divided around the central axis into a processing zone, a regeneration zone, and a cooling zone, each extending in the direction of the central axis; A processing zone inlet channel supplies the compressed air discharged from the last stage compressor and passing through the first cooler to the processing zone, A processing zone outlet channel supplies the compressed air that has passed through the processing zone to the demand side, A regeneration zone inlet channel supplies a portion of the compressed air discharged from the last compressor among the plurality of compressors of the compressor unit, before it passes through the first cooler, to the regeneration zone. A regeneration zone outlet channel for discharging the compressed air that has passed through the regeneration zone from the adsorption dryer, A cooling zone inlet channel supplies a portion of the compressed air that has passed through the processing zone to the cooling zone, A cooling zone outlet channel is provided for discharging the compressed air that has passed through the cooling zone from the adsorption dryer. Equipped with, The regeneration zone outlet channel is provided only with an expansion mechanism, A compressed air generating device in which the regeneration zone outlet channel is connected to the channel within the compressor unit.

2. The compressed air generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the regeneration zone outlet channel is connected to a connecting channel that connects the Nth stage compressor and the N+1th stage compressor.

3. The compressed air generating apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the expansion mechanism is an expansion valve.

4. The compressor unit further comprises a second cooler provided in the connecting passage, The compressed air generating apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the regeneration zone outlet channel is connected between the Nth stage compressor and the second cooler of the connecting channel.

5. A cooling jacket is provided in the casing of at least one of the aforementioned plurality of compressors. The compressed air generating apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the cooling jacket is interposed in the regeneration zone outlet channel.

6. The compressed air generating apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the equipment in the compressor unit is interposed in the regeneration zone outlet channel.

7. The compressed air generating apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the expansion mechanism is an expander provided in the compressor unit.

8. The compressed air generating apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a generator connected to the expander, wherein the power generated by the generator is supplied to a motor that drives at least one of the plurality of compressors.

9. The compressed air generating apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the output shaft of the expander and the output shaft of a motor that drives at least one of the plurality of compressors are common.

10. A compressor unit including a plurality of compressors arranged in a multi-stage configuration, each generating compressed air, and a first cooler that cools the compressed air discharged from the last compressor among the plurality of compressors, A rotary adsorption rotor, formed in a cylindrical shape and having multiple rotor channels that penetrate in the direction of the central axis, with an adsorption medium on the wall surface constituting each of the multiple rotor channels; and an adsorption dryer, formed in a cylindrical shape and rotatably supporting the adsorption rotor which is concentrically housed there, and comprising a casing whose interior is divided around the central axis into a processing zone, a regeneration zone, and a cooling zone, each extending in the direction of the central axis; A processing zone inlet channel supplies the compressed air discharged from the last stage compressor and passing through the first cooler to the processing zone, A processing zone outlet channel supplies the compressed air that has passed through the processing zone to the demand side, A regeneration zone inlet channel supplies a portion of the compressed air discharged from the last compressor among the plurality of compressors of the compressor unit, before it passes through the first cooler, to the regeneration zone. A regeneration zone outlet channel for discharging the compressed air that has passed through the regeneration zone from the adsorption dryer, A cooling zone inlet channel supplies a portion of the compressed air that has passed through the processing zone to the cooling zone, A cooling zone outlet channel is provided for discharging the compressed air that has passed through the cooling zone from the adsorption dryer. We have established A method for generating compressed air, comprising expanding the compressed air in the regeneration zone outlet channel and returning it to the channel within the compressor unit.

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