Hydrogen Gas Drying Tower with Desiccant Regeneration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for drying hydrogen gas in hydrogen-cooled generators are inefficient and require significant amounts of hydrogen as a carrier gas during regeneration, leading to increased costs and potential contamination issues.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize a desiccant-based drying process with automated regeneration, where the desiccant is isolated, heated to vaporize water, and vented, reducing the need for carrier gas by allowing steam to escape naturally, and using dry hydrogen for purging remaining vapor, thereby minimizing hydrogen usage and contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional regenerative drying systems are used to remove water from desiccant, then the desiccant can be regenerated, but significant amounts of hydrogen gas are consumed as carrier gas during the regeneration process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the water vapor from the desiccant by heating it above its dew point temperature, allowing the vapor to be removed through a vent. This eliminates the need for large amounts of hydrogen carrier gas traditionally required for regenerative drying, as the water is directly vaporized and vented rather than carried out by hydrogen flow
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the desiccant's own thermal energy storage capacity to drive the regeneration process. The desiccant is heated to a temperature above its dew point, and when vented, the trapped water vapor naturally escapes without requiring external hydrogen carrier gas. The process leverages the desiccant's inherent properties rather than requiring continuous hydrogen flow for regeneration
2Reliability
If hydrogen gas is used as carrier gas during desiccant regeneration, then water vapor can be removed from the desiccant, but contamination issues and increased costs occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potentially harmful effect of water vapor trapped in the desiccant into a beneficial process by heating the desiccant above its dew point. The trapped water vapor, which would otherwise cause contamination and performance degradation, is intentionally vaporized and vented through controlled heating, transforming a harmful condition into a controlled regeneration mechanism that eliminates contamination risks
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts water vapor from the desiccant through thermal heating and direct venting, removing the contaminant without introducing additional hydrogen gas that could cause contamination or cost issues. The water is separated and removed as vapor through the vent, leaving the desiccant clean and regenerated
3Reliability
If continuous drying operation is maintained in hydrogen-cooled generators, then contaminant removal is effective, but system downtime increases during desiccant regeneration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the drying system into multiple desiccant chambers that can operate in parallel. While one chamber is undergoing regeneration through heating and venting, the other chamber(s) continue to provide drying service to the hydrogen-cooled generator. This segmentation allows continuous operation without interruption, as regeneration occurs in isolated segments rather than requiring shutdown of the entire system
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic regeneration cycles where desiccant chambers are alternately regenerated and used for drying. Each chamber undergoes periodic heating above dew point to vaporize and vent trapped water, followed by return to service. This periodic action ensures continuous drying capability while maintaining desiccant effectiveness through scheduled regeneration intervals
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 reduces hydrogen consumption by up to 90% during regeneration, enhances efficiency, and minimizes downtime by continuously drying and recirculating gas, while maintaining low dew points and reducing contaminant-related issues.
Implementation Method 1
passing a supply of a portion of the hydrogen gas in the hydrogen-cooled generator through a desiccant
Implementation Method 2
heating the substantially saturated desiccant to vaporize water in the isolated desiccant
Data Source
AI summary
A hydrogen gas dryer or system for drying or removing water from hydrogen gas for use in hydrogen-cooled generators includes a drying tower or column comprising a housing, a heater, a desiccant, and a controller. The system is configurable and operable for regeneration of the saturated column, with activation of the heater to cause water retained in the saturated desiccant to turn into steam such as steam and exit on its own via the vent. A supply of generally dry hydrogen is used to purge the remaining vaporized water from the isolated substantially dry regenerated desiccant.