Compressor Heat Exchanger Segmentation for Desiccant Regeneration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing compressor installations with liquid-injected compressor devices face challenges in efficiently regenerating desiccants due to temperature limitations, leading to reduced desiccant moisture absorption capacity and potential desiccant contamination.
Innovation Solution
The compressor installation incorporates a heat exchanger with a secondary section mounted in the compressor device, allowing for the heating of regeneration gas using the heat from the compressor device outlet, and includes means to regulate the amount of liquid injected to control outlet temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If liquid is injected into the compressor device to cool the compressed gas, then the outlet temperature is reduced, but the temperature becomes insufficient for effective desiccant regeneration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the heat exchanger into two separate sections: a primary section located in the outlet pipe and a secondary section located in the liquid injection line. This segmentation allows independent temperature control - the primary section cools the compressed gas to protect the liquid, while the secondary section heats the liquid to enable effective desiccant regeneration, resolving the temperature conflict between cooling and heating requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The injected liquid serves as an intermediary medium that transfers thermal energy. It is cooled by the primary heat exchanger section, then heated by the secondary heat exchanger section to become high-temperature regeneration gas. This intermediary approach allows the system to achieve both low outlet temperature for liquid protection and high regeneration temperature for desiccant effectiveness
2Device complexity
If regeneration gas is tapped directly from the compressor outlet, then the system is simple, but the gas has high absolute humidity and insufficient temperature for complete desiccant regeneration
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger is segmented into primary and secondary sections with different functions. The primary section handles cooling of compressed gas, while the secondary section handles heating of regeneration gas. This segmentation enables the system to produce regeneration gas with sufficiently low absolute humidity and adequate temperature, improving desiccant regeneration completeness while maintaining reasonable system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the temperature parameter of the regeneration gas by passing it through the secondary heat exchanger section where it is heated to above 100°C (preferably above 120°C). This parameter change ensures the regeneration gas has sufficient temperature and reduced absolute humidity to completely regenerate the desiccant, addressing the reliability issue
3Duration of action of stationary object
If the liquid temperature at compressor outlet is kept low to protect the liquid, then the liquid lifetime is extended, but the temperature is insufficient for heating the regeneration gas to required levels
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger is divided into two independent sections: the primary section cools the compressed gas to protect the liquid by maintaining low outlet temperature, while the secondary section heats the injected liquid to high temperatures for regeneration. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by allowing the liquid to experience both low temperatures (for protection) and high temperatures (for regeneration effectiveness) at different stages
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid is pre-cooled in the primary heat exchanger section before injection, protecting it from excessive heat. Then, after injection and compression, the liquid is heated in the secondary section to generate high-temperature regeneration gas. This preliminary cooling action extends liquid lifetime while enabling subsequent high-temperature regeneration
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 the regeneration gas to reach sufficiently high temperatures for effective desiccant regeneration, maintaining desiccant moisture absorption capacity and reducing the need for additional cooling systems.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger is provided for heating the regeneration gas with a primary section through which the regeneration gas is guided
Implementation Method 2
moisture from the compressed gas is taken up into the desiccant by adsorption or absorption
Implementation Method 3
a liquid separator is mounted in the outlet pipe which comprises an inlet and an outlet for compressed gas and an outlet for separated liquid
Data Source
AI summary
Compressor installation with a liquid-injected compressor device with a compressor element with an outlet pipe connected to an outlet of the compressor element, with a liquid separator in the outlet pipe which includes an inlet and an outlet for compressed gas and an outlet for separated liquid and with a dryer connected to the outlet pipe which uses a desiccant for drying compressed gas of the compressor device. The dryer is provided with a drying section and a regeneration section with an entry and an exit for regeneration gas. A regeneration pipe is connected to the entry and a heat exchanger is provided in the regeneration pipe with a primary section through which the regeneration gas is guided. A secondary section of the heat exchanger is mounted in the compressor device. The compressor installation is provided with means to regulate the amount of liquid injected in the compressor element.