Compressed Gas Dryer With Sequential Multi-Vessel Regeneration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing compressed gas dryers suffer from leaks between drying and regeneration zones, inefficient operation due to fixed volumes, and slow regeneration processes, leading to reduced efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A device with multiple vessels filled with regeneratable drying agent, controlled by a valve system that ensures continuous operation with one vessel always being regenerated, using split-off gas for heating and cooling, and utilizing extruded profiles to prevent leaks and optimize drying and regeneration processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a rotating drum dryer is used, then the drying agent can be regenerated continuously, but gas leaks occur between drying and regeneration zones
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the drying process into multiple separate vessels (at least three vessels) instead of using a single rotating drum. Each vessel is independently sealed and can be separately dedicated to drying or regeneration, eliminating gas leaks between zones while maintaining continuous operation through sequential switching controlled by a valve system.
2Reliability
If two separate vessels are used, then gas leaks are prevented, but the operation is limited by the slowest process (saturation of drying agent)
Solution Approach 1:
Each vessel can be independently controlled and optimized for its specific function (drying or regeneration). The valve system allows different vessels to be in different operational states simultaneously, with at least one vessel always regenerating while others dry, thereby decoupling the processes and eliminating the bottleneck effect of the slowest process.
3Device complexity
If fixed volumes are used for drying and regeneration zones, then the system structure is simple, but the system cannot adapt to varying requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a dynamically controllable valve system that can switch between different operational configurations. The valve system allows flexible allocation of vessels to drying or regeneration functions based on real-time requirements, enabling adaptation to varying operational demands while maintaining a relatively simple physical structure of fixed-volume vessels.
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
Prevents gas leaks, allows simultaneous drying by multiple vessels, accelerates regeneration, and adapts to varying conditions, enhancing overall efficiency and flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
the split-off gas is fed into a heating element or heat exchanger to heat the gas to a temperature that is sufficient to regenerate the drying agent in the vessel
Implementation Method 2
By driving the gas to be dried through or along the drying agent, the moisture present will be adsorbed or absorbed by the drying agent and removed from the gas
Implementation Method 3
the vessels are cooled before or after they are regenerated
Data Source
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AI summary
Device for drying compressed gas with an inlet (14) for compressed gas to be dried originating from a compressor (3) and an outlet (16) for dried compressed gas, whereby this device (2) comprises a number of vessels (8) that are filled with a regeneratable drying agent and a controllable valve system (10) that connects the aforementioned inlet (14) and outlet (16) to the aforementioned vessels (8), characterised in that the device (2) comprises at least three vessels (8), whereby the aforementioned valve system (10) is such that at least one vessel (8c) is always being regenerated, while the other vessels (8a, 8b) dry the compressed gas, whereby due to the control of the valve system (10) the vessels (8) are each successively regenerated in turn.