Circumferential-Drive Rotary Adsorbent Dryer for Compressed Gas
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rotary adsorbent dryers are ineffective for drying compressed gas from lubricant flooded or injected rotary compressors due to insufficient operating temperature for adsorbent regeneration, often requiring additional energy and refrigerant use.
Innovation Solution
A rotary adsorbent dryer design with a stationary rotor and discontinuous rotation, featuring a seal arrangement that reduces sealing friction and allows for efficient gas flow, along with a heat exchanger and cooling system to regenerate desiccant media without refrigeration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional rotary adsorbent dryers are used for drying compressed gas from lubricant flooded or injected rotary compressors, then the dryer structure is simple, but the operating temperature is insufficient for adsorbent regeneration
Solution Approach 1:
The dryer is divided into two separate drums: a first drum containing desiccant media for moisture absorption, and a second drum serving as a heater for regenerating the desiccant. This segmentation allows independent optimization of drying and heating functions, enabling the heater drum to reach temperatures sufficient for adsorbent regeneration without compromising the drying drum's operational simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the drying function and heating function into a single integrated dryer system where the two drums work in coordination. The heater drum is thermally coupled to the desiccant drum through a heat exchanger, merging the thermal management functions while maintaining separate operational zones for moisture absorption and desiccant regeneration
2Reliability
If additional energy and refrigerant means are used to achieve acceptable compressed gas drying performance, then the drying performance is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system operates in periodic cycles where the rotor rotates to alternately expose different sectors of the desiccant media to the compressed gas stream and to the heated gas stream. This periodic action allows continuous drying performance while using the heat generated during compression itself for regeneration, eliminating the need for additional refrigerant means and reducing overall energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The heater drum utilizes the compressed gas itself as the heating medium, which then flows through the desiccant media to regenerate it. The system essentially uses its own operational byproducts (hot compressed gas) to sustain the drying process and regenerate the desiccant, eliminating external energy inputs and refrigerant requirements
3Volume of stationary object
If a drive shaft extends axially through the rotor, then the rotor structure is simplified, but the space for desiccant media material is reduced and sealing arrangements are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the traditional axial drive shaft from the rotor structure entirely. Instead, the rotor is driven through its outer circumferential region by a drive arrangement that engages with the rotor's perimeter. This extraction of the central drive shaft maximizes the internal volume available for desiccant media while eliminating the need for complex axial sealing arrangements
Solution Approach 2:
The drive mechanism transitions from a one-dimensional axial drive shaft to a two-dimensional outer circumferential engagement. The drive arrangement contacts the rotor's outer surface, allowing power transmission without penetrating the rotor's interior space, thus preserving maximum volume for desiccant media while maintaining structural integrity
4Productivity
If continuous rotation of the rotor is used, then the drying process is continuous, but sealing friction increases and gas flow efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotor rotates periodically rather than continuously, with each rotation exposing different sectors of the desiccant media to the compressed gas flow. This periodic rotation reduces the duration of sealing contact and minimizes frictional losses while maintaining continuous drying throughput through the coordinated operation of multiple drums and flow paths
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
The design effectively dries compressed gas with reduced energy input and no refrigeration, achieving efficient desiccant regeneration and moisture removal from the gas.
Implementation Method 1
a rotary adsorbent dryer comprising a stationary outer housing having spaced stationary end walls, a rotor rotatably mounted within said outer housing for rotation about a rotation axis, the rotor having substantially open opposed ends... capable of giving up liquid (moisture) to the media and the other capable of removing liquid (moisture) from the media
Implementation Method 2
along a first gas flow path through a heat exchanger to a rotor of a rotary adsorbent dryer
Data Source
AI summary
A rotary adsorbent dryer is provided which includes a stationary outer housing having spaced stationary end walls, and a rotor mounted for rotation within the outer housing. A plurality of compressed gas passages pass through the end walls to provide compressed gas flow to or from a respective substantially open end of the rotor. A drive arrangement is provided which is cooperable with an outer circumferential region of the rotor so that it is not necessary to provide a drive shaft which extends axially through desiccant material within the rotor.