Modular Dry Gas Pressurization with Membrane Dryers and Pressure Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional gas dryers for underground conduits and aerial cables are complex, maintenance-intensive, and unreliable due to the use of liquid-ring compressors and pressure swing adsorption (PSA) technology, which leads to accelerated component wear and inefficiencies in maintaining constant dry gas pressure.

Innovation Solution

A dry gas production system featuring a mobile rack and cabinet configuration with membrane dryers, electronic controllers, and flow sensors to regulate compressor operation and maintain optimal pressure and flow, reducing maintenance needs and improving reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If conventional liquid-ring compressors are used in gas dryers, then compact size is achieved, but component wear accelerates and maintenance requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompressor sizeVSAvoidcomponent wear and maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical liquid-ring compressor system with a membrane dryer system that uses flexible membranes to separate and dry gas streams. This substitution eliminates the mechanical wear components (pistons, seals, rings) while maintaining compact footprint, directly resolving the contradiction between size and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs flexible membranes in the dryer system to achieve gas separation and drying functions. These thin film structures replace the mechanical compression system, providing a wear-free solution that maintains compact dimensions while improving reliability through elimination of moving mechanical parts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Quantity of substance

If conventional pressure swing adsorption (PSA) technology is used, then dry gas generation is achieved, but device complexity and maintenance intensity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedry gas productionVSAvoidsystem complexity and maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the complex PSA subsystems (multiple adsorption beds, valves, controllers) by replacing them with a simpler membrane-based drying system. This extraction of unnecessary complexity maintains dry gas production capability while significantly reducing device complexity and maintenance requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical and chemical PSA process with a passive membrane separation process. This substitution eliminates the need for complex valve timing, bed regeneration, and control systems, achieving the same dry gas output with dramatically simplified device architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Quantity of substance

If refrigerant drying or pressure swing adsorption is used, then dry gas is generated, but reliability decreases over extended operating periods

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedry gas outputVSAvoidoperational reliability over time

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces refrigerant drying and PSA systems with membrane-based drying technology. This substitution eliminates the reliability issues associated with refrigerant degradation and adsorbent saturation, providing sustained dry gas output with improved long-term operational reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs membrane elements that can be easily replaced when degraded, rather than using expensive, maintenance-intensive PSA media or refrigerant systems. This approach ensures consistent dry gas production while improving reliability through simple, replaceable components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 system provides a simple, reliable, and efficient method to maintain constant dry gas pressure in underground conduits and aerial cables, reducing maintenance requirements and enhancing operational stability by using membrane dryers and intelligent control systems.

Implementation Method 1

each module includes a membrane dryer having an inlet pneumatically coupled with the compressor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPermeation: Permeation

Data Source

PatentUS7481869B2Dry gas production systems for pressurizing a space and methods of operating such systems to produce a dry gas stream

Publication Date: 2009.01.27 OUTDOOR WIRELESS NETWORKS LLC

AI summary

A dry gas production system for supplying dry gas to a pressurized space, such as an underground conduit or an aerial cable. The dry gas production system may include a modular enclosure that has a removable support to which multiple dry gas production modules are mounted. The support may be a mobile rack wheeled inside the enclosure and likewise removed from the enclosure while supporting the dry gas production modules. The dry gas production system may include multiple dry gas production modules that are operated as required to meet the dry gas demand for the pressurized space. The module compressor may include a variable frequency drive for driving the compressor motor at different speeds and may optionally include a mount with vibration isolation.