Adsorption Dryer Control Using Ambient Sensor Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adsorption dryers for compressed gas face inefficiencies in energy usage and quality control, as current sensor measurements are insufficient for optimizing regeneration phase parameters, leading to energy waste and potential spikes in dew point or temperature.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an intelligent control system that uses sensor measurements of the ambient environment and upstream compressed gas to select suitable regeneration phase parameters, reducing energy waste and improving gas quality by optimizing heating and cooling phases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If sensor measurements are used to control regeneration phase parameters, then energy efficiency is improved, but measurement precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by measuring ambient values (temperature, humidity, dew point) before the regeneration phase begins and using these measurements to pre-determine appropriate regeneration parameters. This allows the system to select suitable heating and cooling parameters in advance based on environmental conditions, avoiding energy waste from excessive heating while ensuring adequate cooling. The intelligent control system matches measured ambient values to stored parameter settings, enabling proactive optimization rather than reactive adjustment.
2Reliability
If regeneration phase heating is increased to remove adsorbed liquid, then drying quality is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting regeneration phase parameters (heating temperature, heating duration, cooling parameters) based on matched ambient values and stored criterion sets. Instead of using fixed high heating parameters, the system selects from multiple stored parameter settings that are optimized for different ambient conditions. This ensures adequate heating to remove adsorbed liquid and maintain drying quality while minimizing energy consumption by avoiding excessive heating in milder conditions.
3Reliability
If excessive heating is applied in regeneration phase, then adsorbed liquid removal is improved, but downstream gas temperature control worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by using measured ambient temperature values to determine appropriate heating parameters during the regeneration phase. The intelligent control system matches ambient temperature measurements to stored criterion sets that contain pre-determined heating parameters. This feedback mechanism ensures that heating is sufficient to remove adsorbed liquid but not excessive, thereby preventing downstream compressed gas temperature spikes while maintaining effective liquid removal. The system continuously adapts heating intensity based on real-time ambient conditions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach reduces energy consumption and enhances the quality of dried compressed gas by precisely controlling the regeneration phase, preventing excessive heating and ensuring optimal dew point management.
Implementation Method 1
liquid adsorption by the desiccant bed
Implementation Method 2
heating more than necessary in the regeneration phase is counterproductive, because any excess heat generated may result in the cooling phase to be insufficient
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling an adsorption dryer for the treatment of compressed gas includes vessels therein and a valve arrangement for selectively feeding upstream compressed gas to, and outputting dried downstream compressed gas from, the vessels. Compressed gas is fed to at least one of the vessels in a process phase for drying the compressed gas through liquid adsorption by the desiccant bed and removing the adsorbed liquid from the bed in the vessels in a regeneration phase. An ambient value occurring outside both the vessels and downstream compressed gas output is measured. Additional steps include determining a characteristic value based on the measured ambient value, matching the value to criteria associated with stored regeneration phase parameter settings, determining a regeneration phase parameter setting based on the matching of the value, and applying the parameter setting to the regeneration phase for setting a parameter of the regeneration phase.