Compressed Air Dryer Regeneration Energy Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional compressed air drying apparatuses suffer from energy loss and environmental influence due to the discharge of high-temperature and high-humidity compressed air after regeneration, and they are unable to utilize the entire compressed dry air without loss.
Innovation Solution
The air dryer incorporates a pair of dehumidification tanks for alternate dehumidification and regeneration processes, utilizing a separate regeneration special air dryer to supply high-temperature dry air for regeneration, and joining this dry air with wet air for continuous dehumidification, thereby minimizing energy waste and environmental impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional compressed air drying apparatus uses a heating unit to regenerate the dehumidifying agent, then energy consumption is reduced compared to unheated type, but high-temperature and high-humidity compressed air is discharged causing environmental influence and energy loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent recovers the high-temperature and high-humidity compressed air that would otherwise be discharged to the environment. A blower draws this air from the discharge line and redirects it through the dehumidifying agent in the tank, where it is reused for regeneration purposes, thereby eliminating harmful discharge and recovering energy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful high-temperature and high-humidity discharged air into a beneficial resource. This air, which would normally be waste causing environmental influence, is redirected to contact the dehumidifying agent, providing heat and humidity that aids in the regeneration process, thus turning a harmful factor into a useful resource
2Reliability
If conventional compressed air drying apparatus discharges high-temperature and high-humidity compressed air after regeneration, then the dehumidifying agent is regenerated, but energy waste occurs due to inability to utilize the entire compressed dry air
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by using the generated high-temperature and high-humidity compressed air from the regeneration process to continue regenerating the dehumidifying agent. The blower creates a circulation system where the air serves its own regeneration purpose, eliminating the need for external energy input and preventing energy waste
3Device complexity
If unheated type absorption compressed air drying apparatus is used, then no heating source is required, but great consumption of compressed air is required for regeneration resulting in high energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the high-temperature and high-humidity air (which would be waste) into a beneficial regeneration medium. This eliminates the need for a separate heating source while also reducing compressed air consumption, as the system uses its own output air for regeneration rather than requiring additional compressed air input
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 continuous and uniform supply of compressed dry air, reduces energy loss by reusing regeneration special dry air, and minimizes environmental influence by detaining the discharge of high-temperature and high-humidity air.
Implementation Method 1
an absorption type in which compressed air including moisture is passing through a tank in which a dehumidifying agent is filled, and the moisture included in the compressed air is absorbed in the dehumidifying agent
Implementation Method 2
A heating unit 70 is installed in the regenerated air supplying path 90, and through the path 90, the dried compressed air DA supplied to the second tank 20 is heated to a temperature of 200 to 250° C. to supply the regenerated air to the second tank 20
Implementation Method 3
heats the dehumidifying agent dehumidified in the second tank 20 to detach moisture from the dehumidifying agent and regenerate
Implementation Method 4
after a preset time, as shown in FIG. 2, the direction switching valve 30 switches the path of the wet compressed air WA to be supplied to the second tank 20
Implementation Method 5
the moisture included in the compressed air is condensed and dehumidified
Data Source
AI summary
An air dryer includes a pair of main air dryer dehumidification tanks in which a dehumidification process and a regeneration process are alternately performed; a main compressor for compressing wet air to supply the wet air to an inlet line; a first direction switching valve unit; a regeneration special dryer; a second direction switching valve unit; a heating unit; and a cooler, wherein a path of cooled dry air passing through the cooler is connected to the inlet line.