Compressor Speed Control for Cyclic Adsorption Pulsation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cyclic adsorption plants generate undesirable low and medium frequency pulsations, leading to noise and vibrations that increase maintenance costs, require large silencers, and fail to meet regulatory noise standards, resulting in inefficiencies and higher operational expenses.
Innovation Solution
Operating compressors at predetermined speeds that eliminate low and medium frequency pulsations, allowing for the removal of the need for reactive and passive silencers, thereby reducing noise levels and maintaining operational efficiency without additional attenuation equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional compressors are used in cyclic adsorption plants, then pressurization and evacuation functions are achieved, but low and medium frequency pulsations are generated causing noise and vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the compressor, specifically the speed, to eliminate low and medium frequency pulsations. By operating the compressor at predetermined speeds that avoid resonant frequencies, the system reduces noise and vibrations while maintaining pressurization and evacuation functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic variation in compressor speed during the cyclic adsorption process. The compressor operates at different speeds during different phases (pressurization, evacuation, purge) to optimize performance while avoiding frequency ranges that generate harmful pulsations.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If silencers are installed to reduce noise, then noise levels are reduced, but device complexity and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts or removes the need for silencers and other attenuation equipment by addressing the root cause of noise - the compressor operating frequency. By selecting predetermined compressor speeds that eliminate low and medium frequency pulsations, the system achieves noise reduction without adding complex attenuation devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The compressor system serves its own noise reduction needs by operating at predetermined speeds that inherently eliminate harmful pulsations. The system self-regulates to avoid frequency ranges that would require external silencing equipment, making the noise control function built into the operating parameters themselves.
3Productivity
If compressor speed is increased to maintain productivity, then pressurization efficiency is improved, but low frequency pulsations are generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic speed control of the compressor, adjusting the operating speed based on the process phase and required productivity. Rather than operating at a fixed high speed, the compressor dynamically varies its speed to maintain pressurization efficiency while avoiding the generation of low frequency pulsations during critical phases.
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 effectively reduces noise levels below 85 dBA, eliminates the need for silencers, and decreases operational costs by maintaining peak compressor efficiency while meeting regulatory noise requirements, thus enhancing the overall efficiency and cost-effectiveness of cyclic adsorption processes.
Implementation Method 1
compressors operated under conditions that eliminate low, and preferably low and medium range frequency pulsations and the noise and vibrations generated as a result of these pulsations
Implementation Method 2
The feed gas containing the more readily adsorbable component and a less readily adsorbable component is passed through at least one adsorbent bed capable of selectively adsorbing the more readily adsorbable component at a predetermined (higher) adsorption pressure
Implementation Method 3
When the bed becomes saturated with the readily adsorbable component, the bed is depressurized to a lower pressure for desorption of the readily adsorbable component
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates generally to a cyclic adsorption process for separating components of a gas stream with at least one adsorber vessel containing at least one adsorber bed undergoing the steps of at least pressurization and depressurization such that the steps are driven by at least one compressor, the compressor undergoing the steps of acceleration and deceleration in association with the steps of pressurization and depressurization. The compressor is operated at or above predetermined speeds which do not generate undesirable frequency pulsations while meeting the requirements of the cyclic adsorption process.