Apparatus for drying a gas
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas drying systems face challenges in adjusting operating parameters to optimize energy consumption and heat exchange efficiency, particularly due to the limitations of traditional cooling circuits that struggle to adapt to changing load conditions and external temperatures.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a modular design with a drying circuit and a cooling circuit, featuring a reservoir tank and a circulation pump to manage the working fluid, allowing for precise thermal control and energy management, and includes a second cooling circuit with a refrigerant system to maintain optimal compressor operation and adjust heat exchange according to load demands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the cooling circuit is adjusted to optimize heat exchange for different external temperatures, then energy consumption is reduced, but the system complexity increases due to the need for multiple components (compressor, condenser, throttling unit, evaporator)
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling circuit is divided into four distinct components (compressor, condenser, throttling unit, evaporator) that can be independently controlled and adjusted. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for specific operating conditions, enabling energy efficiency improvements while managing complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates dynamic adjustment capabilities where the operating parameters of each cooling circuit component can be varied in response to changing external temperatures and load conditions. This dynamic operation allows the system to adapt to different thermal requirements, optimizing energy consumption across varying operating scenarios.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the compressor operates at nominal load continuously, then the system structure is simple, but the ability to adapt to changing load conditions and external temperatures is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The compressor operates in periodic cycles, alternating between active compression phases and idle phases. This periodic operation allows the system to adapt to varying load conditions by adjusting the duty cycle, providing adaptability without requiring continuous variable speed control, thus managing complexity while improving responsiveness to changing conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adjusts operating parameters (temperature setpoints, flow rates, pressure levels) of the cooling circuit components to adapt to changing external temperatures and load conditions. By varying these parameters rather than the compressor speed, the system achieves adaptability while avoiding the complexity of variable speed drive controls.
3Measurement precision
If abrupt changes in thermal load are implemented by interrupting compressor operation, then energy consumption is reduced, but gradual adjustment capability is lost requiring a loose thermal approach
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary cooling during compressor operation, storing thermal energy in the processed gas and surrounding structures. When the compressor is interrupted, this stored thermal energy continues the cooling process, enabling gradual temperature reduction without abrupt changes. This preliminary action allows precise thermal control while maintaining drying efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The processed gas acts as an intermediary thermal medium, transferring heat from the incoming humid air during compressor operation and continuing to cool it during compressor idle periods. This intermediary mechanism smooths out thermal transitions, enabling gradual temperature adjustment and precise thermal control without direct abrupt changes from compressor interruption.
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 enables precise thermal management and energy optimization, allowing for efficient heat exchange and flexible installation, while maintaining optimal compressor conditions, thus addressing the limitations of traditional systems.
Implementation Method 1
a first heat exchanger (11) and a second heat exchanger (12) that are designed to lower the temperature of the gas to be treated
Implementation Method 2
bring the fluid to be treated to a state close to the dew point and eliminate the humid component by means of a condensate separator
Implementation Method 3
a circulation pump (22) for the working fluid
Implementation Method 4
an evaporator (34) that is designed to cool the working fluid
Implementation Method 5
a second cooling circuit (3) with a refrigerant system, essentially formed by a compressor (31), a condenser (32), a throttling unit (33) and an evaporator (34) placed in sequence
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An apparatus for drying a gas comprises a drying circuit that comprises a first and a second heat exchanger, a condensate separator and a first cooling circuit for a working fluid. The first cooling circuit comprises a circulation pump, an inlet manifold and an outlet manifold. The apparatus further comprises a second cooling circuit that comprises in succession a compressor, a condenser, a throttling unit and an evaporator, said evaporator being housed inside the reservoir tank for cooling the working fluid.