Integrated PSA Rotor with Arc Housing for Compact Gas Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pressure swing adsorption devices are bulky, complex, and inefficient, with excessive parts, high pipe consumption, valve wear, and complex control circuits, leading to synchronization difficulties, poor reliability, and high costs.
Innovation Solution
A compact pressure swing adsorption device with an arc-shaped housing and a rotor having adsorption chambers integrated inside, eliminating the need for complex gas pipelines and control circuits, utilizing a central shaft with gears for synchronized operation and a pressure relief valve for efficient gas separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional compressors and separate gas pipeline systems are used, then gas compression and separation functions can be achieved, but the device becomes bulky, complex, and requires excessive parts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the compressor and pressure swing adsorption separation system into a single integrated device. The compressor housing directly forms the adsorption column, eliminating the need for separate gas pipelines and reducing the number of components. This merging of functions resolves the contradiction by reducing structural complexity while maintaining gas separation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The compressor housing serves multiple functions: it acts as both the compressor enclosure and the adsorption column for gas separation. The rotor serves as both the compression element and the adsorbent carrier. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate parts needed, addressing the complexity issue while preserving productivity.
2Volume of stationary object
If separate design with excessive parts is used, then gas separation can be achieved, but the device becomes bulky and requires high pipe consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the compressor and adsorption column into a single integrated structure. The compressor housing is directly used as the adsorption column, eliminating the need for separate gas pipelines and reducing overall device volume. This integration directly addresses the contradiction between device size and parts quantity.
Solution Approach 2:
The adsorption chambers are nested within the rotor structure, which itself is nested within the compressor housing. This nested arrangement maximizes space utilization and reduces the overall device volume while minimizing the number of separate components needed.
3Reliability
If conventional valve systems are used, then gas flow control is achieved, but valve wear and complex control circuits are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical valve systems and control circuits with a rotor-based mechanical sealing system. The rotor with its sealing surfaces directly controls gas flow between compression and adsorption zones, eliminating the need for separate valves and control circuits. This substitution improves reliability by removing vulnerable electrical and mechanical control components.
4Use of energy by moving object
If conventional compressor design is used, then gas compression is achieved, but gas efficiency per unit power is low
Solution Approach 1:
By combining compression and adsorption functions in a single integrated system, the patent eliminates energy losses associated with separate gas pipeline transport and multiple valve operations. The direct coupling of compression and adsorption zones allows for more efficient energy utilization, improving gas efficiency per unit power consumed.
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
The device achieves high gas efficiency, reliable operation, and reduced costs with a simple and compact structure, enabling easy synchronization control and integrated gas compression and separation.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing the differences of 'adsorption' capabilities of adsorbent molecular sieves towards different gas molecules to separate gas mixtures
Implementation Method 2
after adsorption equilibrium, according to the property that the molecular sieve adsorbs different quantity of gas under different pressures, lowering pressure so that the molecular sieve desorbs the adsorbed gas
Data Source
Figure 1-1~1-2
Figure 1-3~1-4
Figure 1-5~1-6
AI summary
A pressure swing adsorption apparatus comprises: a housing (1) with an arc-shaped inner surface (10), the housing (1) being arranged with at least one gas inlet (12), at least one exhaust port (14) and at least one gas outlet (16) for discharging the separated gas; a rotor (2) arranged in the housing (1), at least two contact ends (21, 23, 25) being arranged on the rotor (2) for maintaining a non-stop sliding contact with the inner surface (10) of the housing (1), individual cavities, i.e., air cavities between the adjacent contact ends (21, 23, 25) and formed between the external surface of the rotor (2) and the inner surface (10) of the housing (1), and each air cavity being separated by the contact ends (21, 23, 25); adsorption chambers (32, 34, 36) set inside the rotor (2) as parts of the rotor (2) and rotated along with the rotor (2), molecular sieves being loaded in the interior of the adsorption chambers (32, 34, 36), and the adsorption chambers (32, 34, 36) being provided with screen openings for connection with the air cavities.