Compressor Heat Pump Regeneration Gas Heating
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing compressor systems face challenges in efficiently regenerating drying agents due to high absolute humidity in regeneration gas, reduced moisture absorption capacity, and contamination risks from liquid-injected compressors.
Innovation Solution
The compressor system incorporates a heat pump to heat the regeneration gas, utilizing the heat generated by the compressor device, which allows for efficient regeneration of the drying agent without the need for additional cooling or heat exchangers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If heat of compression is used to heat regeneration gas, then regeneration gas temperature is improved, but absolute humidity of regeneration gas increases and drying agent capacity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A heat exchanger is introduced as an intermediary device between the compression system and the regeneration section. The heat exchanger transfers thermal energy from the compressed gas to the regeneration gas indirectly, allowing temperature elevation without direct contact between the high-humidity regeneration gas and the drying agent, thus resolving the contradiction between achieving sufficient regeneration temperature and maintaining drying agent capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The system is segmented into distinct functional zones: a compression section, a heat exchange section, and a regeneration section. This segmentation allows the regeneration gas to be heated separately before entering the regeneration section, preventing direct contamination of the drying agent while still achieving the necessary temperature for effective regeneration
2Quantity of substance
If cooling system is added to lower compressor outlet temperature, then liquid separation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes the compressed gas itself as the cooling medium through a self-service cooling mechanism. The compressed gas, after performing its compression function, is routed through a cooling coil where it cools itself and condenses liquid components without requiring an external cooling system, thereby reducing device complexity while achieving effective liquid separation
3Temperature
If heat exchanger is used to heat regeneration gas, then regeneration gas temperature is improved, but additional cooling system is required
Solution Approach 1:
The compressed gas serves multiple functions: it performs compression, acts as the heating medium for the regeneration gas through the heat exchanger, and functions as its own cooling medium. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate cooling systems, resolving the contradiction between achieving regeneration temperature and avoiding additional cooling 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 solution effectively raises the regeneration gas temperature to desorb moisture from the drying agent, maintaining its absorption capacity and reducing contamination risks, while also eliminating the need for separate cooling systems.
Implementation Method 1
a secondary section of said first heat exchanger forms a condenser of a heat pump, wherein the evaporator of the heat is provided in the compressor device
Implementation Method 2
a first heat exchanger is provided with a primary section through which the regeneration gas can be fed to heat the regeneration gas
Implementation Method 3
the drying agent takes up moisture from the compressed gas by adsorption or absorption
Implementation Method 4
the drying agent takes up moisture from the compressed gas by adsorption or absorption
Implementation Method 5
the regeneration gas has a sufficiently high temperature to absorb moisture from the drying agent to be regenerated
Implementation Method 6
the regeneration gas is taken directly from said outlet line of the compressor device, for example at the outlet of the compressor device. The branched off regeneration gas has a sufficiently high temperature to absorb moisture from the drying agent to be regenerated
Data Source
AI summary
Compressor system provided with a compressor device with at least one compressor element with an outlet for compressed gas, an outlet line connected to this compressor device for the compressed gas, and a dryer connected to said outlet line of the type using a drying agent or desiccant for drying the compressed gas from the compressor system. The dryer is provided with a drying section and a regeneration section with an inlet and an outlet for a regeneration gas. A regeneration line is connected to the inlet of the regeneration section. The regeneration line includes a first heat exchanger for heating the regeneration gas. A secondary section of said first heat exchanger forms a condenser of a heat pump. An evaporator of the heat pump is provided in the compressor system.