Compressor Dryer Return-Line Cooling with Oil-Circuit Heat Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing compressor installations face inefficiencies with air-cooled and water-cooled regeneration gas coolers, leading to increased complexity, dependency on external water supply, and potential oil contamination risks.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a heat exchanger into the oil circuit to cool regeneration gas using compressor oil, eliminating the need for external cooling mediums and reducing installation size and complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an air-cooled cooler is used to cool the regeneration gas, then the cooler can operate independently of water supply, but many extra conduits are required and the device becomes more extensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the regeneration gas cooling function with the existing oil circuit by incorporating a heat exchanger that uses compressor oil as the cooling medium. This merging eliminates the need for separate air-cooled cooler conduits and integrates the cooling function into the existing lubrication system, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining independence from water supply.
2Temperature
If a water-cooled cooler is used to cool the regeneration gas, then the cooling efficiency is improved, but dependency on external water supply is created
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by using the compressor's own oil circuit as the cooling medium for the regeneration gas. The system serves itself by utilizing the existing oil that circulates through the compressor for both lubrication and cooling purposes, eliminating dependency on external water supply while maintaining effective cooling through the integrated heat exchanger.
3Temperature
If the cooler is placed before the intercooler and aftercooler in the cooler arrangement, then the regeneration gas can be cooled, but the intercooler and aftercooler must be dimensioned larger to handle partially heated ambient air
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the regeneration gas cooling function from the main cooler arrangement (intercooler and aftercooler) and places it upstream in the outlet line. By taking out this specific cooling function and positioning it before the main coolers, the regeneration gas is cooled separately using the heat exchanger, preventing it from adding thermal load to the intercooler and aftercooler, thereby avoiding the need for larger dimensions.
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 solution results in a more compact design, reduces dependency on external water supply, and minimizes oil contamination risks while maintaining effective dryer performance.
Implementation Method 1
a primary portion of a heat exchanger is incorporated into the return line for cooling the regeneration gas, wherein the secondary portion of the heat exchanger is incorporated into the oil circuit of the compressor element
Data Source
AI summary
Compressor installation with a compressor element, an outlet with an outlet line, and a dryer, that is provided with a drying section and a regeneration section. The drying section is provided with a first inlet and a first outlet. The first inlet is connected to the outlet line. The regeneration section is provided with a second inlet and a second outlet. A regeneration line (is provided between the second inlet and a first point of the outlet line. At the second outlet a return line connects the second outlet to a second point (on the outlet line downstream of the first point. A primary portion of a heat exchanger is incorporated in the return line. A secondary portion of the heat exchanger is incorporated in an oil circuit of the compressor element.