Air drying device with adjustable dew point temperature

Abstract

The present invention relates to an air drying device capable of controlling the dew point temperature, comprising: a heat exchanger (10) that removes moisture contained in the air by heat-exchanging high-temperature refrigerant introduced through a refrigerant pipe (B) extending from a compressor (20) and a condenser (30) with humid air introduced from the outside; a temperature sensor module (80) that measures the temperature of the air heat-exchanged in the heat exchanger (10); a temperature indicator (110) that outputs the temperature measured by the temperature sensor module (80); and a dew point temperature controller (130) that controls the dew point temperature by controlling the flow rate of the refrigerant introduced into the heat exchanger (10).

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an air drying device capable of controlling the dew point temperature. Background Technology

[0002] Generally, a refrigerated air dryer, which is a compressed air dehumidification device, is equipment that produces dry compressed air at a designed dew point by cooling the high-temperature, high-humidity compressed air discharged from an air compressor to remove the moisture contained within it.

[0003] A conventional refrigerated air dryer is largely composed of a refrigerant compressor that compresses gaseous refrigerant, a condenser that liquefies high-temperature, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant discharged from the refrigerant compressor, a valve for load control, a filter dryer for filtering impurities, a capillary tube which is an expansion device that adiabatically expands the liquid refrigerant coming out of the condenser, a heat exchanger in which actual dehumidification is achieved by evaporating the refrigerant coming out of the expansion device and cooling the compressed air through heat exchange with the high-temperature, high-humidity compressed air by the latent heat of evaporation of the refrigerant, and a drain device for discharging condensate generated by cooling the high-temperature compressed air.

[0004] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, conventional refrigerated air dryers like this require different dew point temperatures to achieve the maximum efficiency required for each industrial sector when cooling compressed air, but it was difficult for the user to directly check the dew point temperature of the compressed air. Therefore, conventional air dryers using compressed dry air had the problem of not being universally usable in various industrial sectors because it was difficult to control the dew point temperature differently for each applied industrial sector. Prior art literature

[0005] (Patent Document 0001) KR 10-1081821 B1(2011.11.03) The problem to be solved

[0006] The present invention has been devised to resolve the aforementioned conventional problems, and the objective of the present invention is to provide an air drying device capable of determining and verifying the dew point temperature of the air in a drying device using refrigerated compressed air. means of solving the problem

[0007] The present invention may include the following embodiments to achieve the above objectives.

[0008] An embodiment of the present invention may provide an air drying device capable of controlling the dew point temperature, comprising: a heat exchanger that removes moisture contained in the air by heat-exchanging high-temperature refrigerant introduced through a refrigerant pipe extending from a compressor and a condenser with humid air introduced from the outside and discharging it; a temperature sensor module that measures the temperature of the air heat-exchanged in the heat exchanger; a temperature indicator that outputs the temperature measured by the temperature sensor module; and a dew point temperature controller that controls the dew point temperature by controlling the flow rate of the refrigerant introduced into the heat exchanger.

[0009] In addition, the above embodiment may further include an expansion valve that controls the amount of refrigerant flowing into the heat exchanger by adjusting the inner diameter of the refrigerant pipe according to the operation of the dew point temperature controller, and is installed in the refrigerant pipe.

[0010] In addition, the dew point temperature controller of the above embodiment is characterized by being composed of a rotary knob mechanically connected to an expansion valve.

[0011] Additionally, the temperature sensor module comprises an air drying device capable of controlling the dew point temperature, the sensor fixing part comprising a horizontal part extending horizontally to be connected to refrigerant pipes on both sides and a vertical part extending upward from the center of the horizontal part, a sensor rod inserted inwardly through the vertical part to detect the temperature of the air flowing between the horizontal parts, a fixing nut fastened to the top of the vertical part on the upper outer surface of the sensor rod to fix the sensor rod to the inside of the sensor fixing part, and a receiving part extending upwardly from the sensor rod and receiving a signal line that outputs a detection signal of the sensor rod from the inside.

[0012] In addition, the heat exchanger may further include a cooler into which refrigerant is introduced, an evaporator that evaporates moisture in the incoming external air by exchanging heat with the cooler, a reheating condenser that reheats the refrigerant discharged from the condenser, and a reheater that reheats and discharges the air discharged from the evaporator by exchanging heat with the reheating condenser.

[0013] In addition, the temperature sensor module is installed in the air piping connected to the evaporator of the heat exchanger to measure the air temperature after heat exchange and output a detection signal to the temperature indicator.

[0014] In addition, the above embodiment may further include a filter for removing contaminants from the refrigerant discharged through the reheat condenser, an oil-water separator for separating contaminants contained in the air discharged from the evaporator, and a drain valve for discharging contaminants separated from the oil-water separator. Effects of the invention

[0016] Among the refrigeration dryers used in automation devices and various industrial facilities, this one allows the user to directly control the dew point temperature of the compressed air. In particular, to achieve the highest efficiency required for each industrial sector when cooling compressed air, it is equipped with an air dew point indicator that displays the temperature digitally on the outside, which has the effect of enabling very stable performance in the working environment. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0017] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an air drying device capable of controlling the dew point temperature according to the present invention. Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating the connection structure of a temperature sensor module. Figure 3 is a drawing illustrating an example of an evaporator and a cooler. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a temperature sensor module. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the control panel and related configuration. Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a compressed air quality grade regarding the dew point temperature. Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating examples of compressed air quality grades by industrial sector. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0018] Although the present invention may be subject to various modifications and may have various embodiments, specific embodiments are to be described in detail by way of illustration in the drawings. This is not intended to limit the present invention to specific embodiments, and it should be understood that any modification, equivalent, or substitution falls within the spirit and scope of the present invention for connecting and / or fixing structures extending in different directions.

[0019] The terms used in this specification are used merely to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the invention. The singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0020] In this specification, terms such as “comprising” or “having” are intended to specify the existence of the features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and should not be understood as precluding the existence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0021] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of a compressed air dryer capable of checking and controlling the dew point temperature according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0022] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an air drying device capable of controlling the dew point temperature according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the connection structure of a temperature sensor module, FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an evaporator and a cooler, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a temperature sensor module.

[0023] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, the present invention may include a heat exchanger (10), a compressor (20), a condenser (30), a filter (40), an oil-water separator (60), a drain valve (70), a temperature sensor module (80), an expansion valve (50), an operating panel (100), an air pipe (A), and a refrigerant pipe (B).

[0024] The air pipe (A) is extended and installed so that humid air passes through the heat exchanger (10) and is discharged in a dry state.

[0025] The refrigerant piping (B) is extended and installed so that the refrigerant circulates between the compressor (20), the condenser (30), and the heat exchanger (10).

[0026] When a driving command is input by the control panel (100), the compressor (20) compresses the refrigerant to a high temperature while the motor is driven. At this time, the compressed refrigerant is fed into the condenser (30) along the refrigerant pipe (B).

[0027] The condenser (30) liquefies the high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant gas discharged from the compressor (20).

[0028] The heat exchanger (10) may include an evaporator (11), a cooler (12), a reheater (13), and a reheat condenser (30).

[0029] The evaporator (11) converts hot and humid compressed air introduced through the air pipe (A) into dry and cold compressed air by exchanging heat with the cooler (12).

[0030] The cooler (12) exchanges heat with the hot and humid air that flows into the evaporator (11) as the refrigerant flowing in through the refrigerant pipe (B) flows in.

[0031] Here, the evaporator (11) and the cooler (12) may be configured such that a refrigerant pipe (B) and an air pipe (A) extending in one direction are stacked in a zigzag shape. An example of this is shown in FIGS. 2 and FIGS. 3.

[0032] That is, the evaporator (11) and the cooler (12) are configured such that the refrigerant pipe (B) and the air pipe (A) are stacked in a zigzag manner to exchange heat between the incoming hot and humid air and the refrigerant, thereby drying the high-temperature humid air in the first stage.

[0033] The reheater (13) is formed in a shape that is stacked in the coil shape of the air pipe (A) and reheats and discharges the air cooled by the evaporator (11) and cooler (12).

[0034] Additionally, the reheating condenser (14) is configured such that the refrigerant pipe (B) extending from the condenser (30) is stacked in a coil shape. Here, the air pipe (A) of the reheater (13) and the refrigerant pipe (B) of the reheating condenser (30) are stacked in a zigzag manner to form a state of mutual contact.

[0035] For example, the compressed air passing through the cooler (12) is cold with a temperature of 2 to 5°C, so condensation may occur. Therefore, the reheater (13) reheats the air to a temperature suitable for use in industrial sites (e.g., 20 to 25°C) and discharges it. At this time, the heat source required for reheating uses the hot refrigerant that has passed through the condenser (30) as the reheating heat source. That is, the reheater (13) heats the cold air by exchanging heat with the reheating condenser (14).

[0036] The filter (40) is installed in the refrigerant piping (B) between the reheat condenser (30) and the cooler (12) of the heat exchanger (10) to remove contaminants contained in the heat-exchanged refrigerant.

[0037] The oil-water separator (60) filters particles, oil, moisture, etc. contained in contaminated compressed air within the air pipe (A) extended between the evaporator (11) and the reheater (13).

[0038] The drain valve (70) is installed in the discharge pipe extended to the oil-water separator (60) to discharge particles, oil, water, etc. separated by the oil-water separator (60).

[0039] The expansion valve (50) is a manual type (e.g., dial-controlled type) or electronic expansion valve (50) that controls the discharge amount of refrigerant in the refrigerant pipe (B). At this time, if the expansion valve (50) narrows the refrigerant pipe (B) to reduce the flow rate of the refrigerant, the temperature of the refrigerant used for primary heat exchange in the evaporator (11) and cooler (12) rises, and if the flow rate of the refrigerant increases, the temperature of the refrigerant during primary heat exchange of the refrigerant is lowered.

[0040] The user can adjust the expansion valve (50) according to the dew point temperature.

[0041] The temperature sensor module (80) may include a 'T'-shaped sensor fixing part (81) connected to an air pipe (A) extended from the evaporator (11), and a temperature sensor (82) that detects the temperature of the air inserted into the sensor fixing part (81).

[0042] The sensor fixing part (81) is horizontally extended on both sides to connect each refrigerant pipe (B) extending from different directions, and an upwardly extended vertical part (811) is formed so that a temperature sensor (82) is connected.

[0043] Additionally, the temperature sensor (82) may include a sensor rod (821) inserted into the inner side of the sensor fixing part (81) to contact the airflow, a fixing nut (822) coupled to the upper part of the sensor fixing part (81), and a receiving tube (823) that extends upward and receives a wire that transmits a detection signal of the sensor rod (821) to the inner side.

[0044] The sensor rod (821) is inserted through the vertical section (811) so that air flowing between the horizontal sections (812) on both sides comes into contact with the inside of the sensor fixing section (81).

[0045] The fixing nut (822) is fastened to the outer surface of the body of the temperature sensor (82) where the fixing part is formed, thereby fixing the temperature sensor (82) to the sensor fixing part (81).

[0046] The receiving tube (823) is a body extending from the sensor rod (821) and forms a space on the inside for receiving a signal line connected to the sensor rod (821). Here, the receiving tube (823) may be made of a flexible elastic material. Here, the signal line connected to the sensor rod (821) may be connected to the control panel (100).

[0047] The control panel (100) includes a switch (120) that outputs a driving command, a dew point temperature controller (130) that controls the dew point temperature, and a temperature indicator (110) that displays the temperature.

[0048] The switch (120) is composed of a plurality of switches (120) that output a driving command for the compressor (20) and an operation command for the temperature sensor module (80) and the temperature indicator (110). That is, when the user turns on the switch (120), the motor of the compressor (20) operates, and a refrigerant circulation process is initiated in which high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant flows through the refrigerant pipe (B), dries the high-temperature, high-humidity air introduced through the air pipe (A) via the condenser (30) and the heat exchanger (10), and then flows back into the compressor (20).

[0049] Additionally, when the switch (120) is turned on, the temperature sensor module (80) supplies power and measures the temperature of the air pipe (A) and outputs a detection signal to the temperature indicator (110).

[0050] And the temperature indicator (110) can measure the temperature according to the detection signal detected by the temperature sensor module (80). Here, the temperature indicator (110) can display the measured temperature in each color set for each temperature range.

[0051] Alternatively, the temperature indicator (110) may output the temperature measured by the temperature sensor module (80) as a numerical value as a display.

[0052] The dew point temperature controller (130) controls the dew point temperature of the refrigerant by driving the expansion valve (50) to control the amount of refrigerant. For example, the dew point temperature controller (130) may be configured as a rotary knob and a device mechanically coupled to the dial-adjustable expansion valve (50). Thus, when the dew point temperature controller (130) rotates in one direction, it can operate the expansion valve (50) in one direction to reduce the amount of refrigerant flowing in the refrigerant pipe (B) by narrowing the diameter of the pipe, and when it rotates in the opposite direction, it can rotate the expansion valve (50) in the opposite direction to widen the diameter.

[0053] Accordingly, the user can turn on the switch (120) through the control panel (100), check the temperature of the refrigerant measured by the temperature sensor module (80) through the temperature indicator (110), and then adjust the dew point temperature controller (130) to control the dew point temperature of the refrigerant.

[0054] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the temperature at which the refrigerant is most efficient varies by industrial sector. This is explained with reference to Figures 6 and 7. Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of ISO 8573-1:2010 compressed air quality grades, and Figure 7 classifies the efficient compressed air quality grades by industrial sector.

[0055] First, referring to Fig. 7, it can be seen that for breathing equipment, the Water Class is Grade 4, and for the air agitator, the most efficient compressed air quality grade is Grade 5. At this time, referring to the table in Fig. 6, it can be seen that the dew point temperature is recommended as ≤+7℃ when the Water Class is Grade 5 and ≤+3℃ when the Water Class is Grade 4.

[0056] Therefore, it is desirable for each dryer installed in different industrial fields to operate at different dew point temperatures. However, in order to control such dew point temperatures, it is difficult to measure the temperature of the air pipe (A) in real time, and expensive equipment had to be installed separately to effectively control the dew point temperature.

[0057] However, in the present invention, as described above, the temperature of the air pipe (A) is measured in real time, and the dew point temperature can be controlled by providing an expansion valve (50) to control the amount of refrigerant.

[0059] Although an embodiment of the present invention has been described above, those skilled in the art may modify and change the present invention in various ways by adding, changing, deleting, or adding components, etc., without departing from the spirit of the present invention as described in the claims, and such modifications and changes are also to be included within the scope of the rights of the present invention.

[0060] Furthermore, the aforementioned terms are defined in consideration of their functions within the present invention, and these may vary depending on the intent or practice of the user or operator. Therefore, the definitions of these terms should be based on the content throughout this specification. Explanation of the symbols

[0061] 10: Heat exchanger 11: Evaporator 12: Cooler 13: Reheater 14: Reheat condenser 20: Compressor 30: Condenser 40: Filter 50 : Expansion valve 60 : Oil-water separator 70: Drain valve 80: Temperature sensor module 81 : Sensor fixing part 82 : Temperature measuring sensor 100 : Control panel 110 : Temperature indicator 120 : Switch 130 : Dew point temperature controller 811 : Vertical section 812 : Horizontal section 821 : Sensor rod 822 : Fixing nut 823 : Prisoner

Claims

Claim 1 A heat exchanger (10) that removes moisture contained in the air by exchanging heat between high-temperature refrigerant introduced through a refrigerant pipe (B) extending from a compressor (20) and a condenser (30) and humid air introduced from the outside; a temperature sensor module (80) that measures the temperature of the air heat-exchanged in the heat exchanger (10); a temperature indicator (110) that outputs the temperature measured by the temperature sensor module (80); and a dew point temperature controller (130) that controls the dew point temperature by controlling the flow rate of the refrigerant introduced into the heat exchanger (10); An air drying device capable of controlling the dew point temperature, comprising a heat exchanger (10) including a cooler (12) into which refrigerant is introduced, an evaporator (11) that evaporates moisture in the external air introduced by heat exchange with the cooler (12), a reheating condenser (14) that reheats the refrigerant discharged from the condenser (30), and a reheater (13) that reheats and discharges the air discharged from the evaporator (11) by heat exchange with the reheating condenser (14). Claim 2 An air drying device capable of controlling the dew point temperature, further comprising: an expansion valve (50) installed in the refrigerant pipe (B) and controlling the amount of refrigerant flowing into the heat exchanger (10) by adjusting the inner diameter of the refrigerant pipe (B) according to the operation of the dew point temperature controller (130). Claim 3 An air drying device capable of controlling the dew point temperature, characterized in that, in claim 2, the dew point temperature controller (130) is composed of a rotary knob mechanically connected to an expansion valve (50). Claim 4 An air drying device capable of controlling the dew point temperature, comprising: a temperature sensor module (80) comprising a sensor fixing part (81) formed by a horizontal part (812) that extends horizontally to be connected to each of the refrigerant pipes (B) on both sides and a vertical part (811) that extends upward from the center of the horizontal part (812); and a temperature sensor (82) having a sensor rod (821) that is inserted inwardly through the vertical part (811) and detects the temperature of the air flowing between the horizontal parts (812), a fixing nut (822) that is fastened to the upper end of the vertical part (811) on the upper outer surface of the sensor rod (821) to fix the sensor rod (821), and a receiving part (823) that extends upwardly from the sensor rod (821) and receives a signal line that outputs a detection signal of the sensor rod (821) from the inside. Claim 5 delete Claim 6 An air drying device capable of controlling the dew point temperature, characterized in that, in claim 1, the temperature sensor module (80) is installed in an air pipe (A) connected to the evaporator (11) of the heat exchanger (10) to measure the air temperature after heat exchange and output a detection signal to the temperature indicator (110). Claim 7 An air drying device capable of controlling the dew point temperature according to claim 1, further comprising: a filter (40) for removing contaminants from the refrigerant discharged through the reheat condenser (14); an oil-water separator (60) for separating contaminants contained in the air discharged from the evaporator (11); and a drain valve (70) for discharging the contaminants separated from the oil-water separator (60).

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