Compressed Gas Drying Regeneration with Pre-Dried Air
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing compressed gas drying devices require high temperatures for regeneration due to the use of ambient air, leading to high energy consumption and dependence on environmental parameters.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an additional vessel in the regeneration line to dry and heat regeneration gas before it enters the main drying agent, using a controllable valve system to alternate between drying, regeneration, and cooling cycles, and employing a cooling line to manage heat storage and reduce heating requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If ambient air is used for regeneration, then the device is simpler to operate, but high temperatures are required leading to high energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-drying the regeneration air before it enters the heating means. The regeneration air passes through a drying agent in the second vessel beforehand, removing moisture content. This preliminary drying action enables the subsequent heating process to occur at lower temperatures while still achieving effective regeneration, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining ease of operation.
2Device complexity
If ambient air is used for regeneration, then the device structure is simpler, but regeneration is not optimal requiring very strong heating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary element - the drying agent in the second vessel - that mediates between the ambient air and the regeneration process. The drying agent acts as a mediator by first drying the ambient air, then being regenerated by the heated air. This intermediary approach ensures optimal regeneration quality without requiring very strong heating, while adding only moderate complexity to the device structure.
3Reliability
If high temperature heating is used for regeneration, then moisture extraction is more effective, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the moisture content parameter of the regeneration air before heating. By pre-drying the air (changing its humidity parameter), the subsequent heating process requires less energy to achieve the same moisture extraction effectiveness. The drying agent changes the air's moisture parameter, enabling lower temperature operation while maintaining effective regeneration.
4Use of energy by stationary object
If the drying agent is used to dry regeneration air, then heating requirements are reduced, but an additional vessel is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by making the second vessel serve multiple functions: it contains drying agent that dries the regeneration air, and this same drying agent is subsequently regenerated by the heated air. The second vessel universally performs both drying and regeneration functions, reducing overall heating energy requirements while adding minimal complexity since it utilizes existing device infrastructure.
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 enhances regeneration efficiency by using dry ambient air, reduces heating needs, and allows for more compact heating means, resulting in lower energy consumption and reduced dependence on environmental conditions.
Implementation Method 1
By regenerable drying agent herein is meant a drying agent or desiccant which can absorb moisture from a gas by adsorption
Implementation Method 2
heating means are provided between the outlet of said blower and the regeneration inlet for heating the regeneration gas
Implementation Method 3
a drying agent or desiccant which can absorb moisture from a gas by adsorption
Implementation Method 4
when saturated with moisture, can be dried by passing a so-called regeneration gas through it. This process is also known as drying agent regeneration
Data Source
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AI summary
Regeneration means for regenerating a drying agent in a drying device (1) for compressed gas, which regenerating means (9) comprise a regeneration line (10) connected to a regeneration inlet (11) of the drying device (1), which regenerating line (10 connects said regeneration inlet (11) to an outlet (13) of a blower (12) for the supply of a regeneration gas, and wherein heating means (14) are provided between the outlet (13) of said blower (12) and the regeneration inlet (11 for heating up the regeneration gas, characterized in that between the outlet (13) of said blower (12), on the one hand, and said heating means (14), on the other hand, an additional vessel (20) with drying agent is provided for drying the regeneration gas.