Air separation device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air separation devices face challenges in automatically adjusting production quantity and controlling compressor and refrigerator operations when demand fluctuates significantly, leading to instability and increased risk of manual errors.
Innovation Solution
An air separation device equipped with a control unit that automatically adjusts feed air quantity, compressor operation, and refrigerator usage based on measured flow rates and temperatures, including a compressor automatic drive unit and refrigerator automatic drive unit, to optimize pre-purification processes and reduce manual manipulations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual manipulation is used to adjust production quantity, then the operator can control feed air quantity, but the air separation device becomes unstable and manual errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit automatically adjusts feed air quantity, compressor operation, and refrigerator usage based on measured flow rates and temperatures, enabling the system to self-regulate without manual intervention. This eliminates manual errors and maintains system stability while allowing production quantity adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously measures flow rates and temperatures, and the control unit uses this feedback information to automatically adjust operational parameters. This closed-loop control ensures system stability while enabling dynamic production quantity adjustment according to demand.
2Adaptability or versatility
If standby compressor is started and stopped manually, then the compressor can be operated in parallel, but the number of manipulations increases and operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The compressor automatic drive unit automatically starts the standby compressor when feed air quantity increases and automatically stops it when feed air quantity decreases, eliminating the need for manual manipulation. The system self-manages compressor parallel operation based on real-time flow rate measurements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If standby refrigerator is started and stopped manually, then the cooling capacity can be adjusted, but the number of manipulations increases and operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigerator automatic drive unit automatically starts the standby refrigerator when feed air temperature increases and automatically stops it when temperature decreases, enabling automatic cooling capacity adjustment without manual intervention. The system monitors temperature and flow rate to self-regulate refrigerator operation.
4Ease of operation
If pre-purification process time is determined manually, then the operator can control the process, but the purification efficiency may not be optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit determines the pre-purification process time based on real-time measurements of feed air flow rate and temperature, optimizing the adsorption and regeneration cycle times. This automatic adjustment maximizes purification efficiency by adapting to varying operating conditions without manual intervention.
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 solution allows for automatic adjustment of production quantity, reduces manual manipulations, minimizes product gas losses, and optimizes the operation of compressors and refrigerators, enhancing the stability and efficiency of air separation processes.
Implementation Method 1
a first compressor (C1) for compressing feed air; a second compressor (C2) installed in series or in parallel with the first compressor (C1)
Implementation Method 2
a first refrigerator (R1) for cooling the feed air (compressed air) that has been compressed by the first compressor (C1) and/or the second compressor (C2); a second refrigerator (R2) in series or in parallel with the first refrigerator (R1)
Implementation Method 3
a pre-purification unit (50) for pre-purifying (removing carbon dioxide and/or moisture, for example) the feed air (cooled compressed air)
Data Source
AI summary
An air separation device can include: a first compressor and a second compressor for compressing feed air; a first refrigerator and a second refrigerator for cooling the feed air; a pre-purification unit for pre-purifying the feed air; a flow rate measuring unit for measuring the flow rate of the feed air; a main heat exchanger for subjecting the feed air to heat exchange; a purification portion into which the feed air led out from the main heat exchanger is fed, and which separates and purifies product nitrogen and/or product oxygen from the feed air; and a compressor control unit for controlling the feed quantity of the feed air in accordance with an increase or decrease in the production quantity of product nitrogen and/or product oxygen.