A sorption drying system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sorption drying systems face inefficiencies in dehumidification due to temperature increases from latent heat absorption and regeneration, which impair the absorption capacity of the drying agent, and require additional cooling gas streams that reduce system capacity and effectiveness, especially at high air humidities.
Innovation Solution
A sorption drying system with a rotating drying rotor that recirculates and cools a portion of the dehumidified gas stream to lower the temperature within the rotor, allowing it to efficiently absorb moisture while minimizing additional moisture input, and uses pressure regulation to prevent leakage between gas streams, optimizing the flow rates and air flow for enhanced performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a heated gas stream is used for regeneration of the drying agent, then the absorption capacity is restored, but the temperature of the drying agent increases which impairs its absorption capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The drying rotor is divided into multiple sectors (first circular sector for dehumidification, second circular sector for regeneration, third circular sector for cooling) that are separated by seals. This segmentation allows different gas streams to operate in different zones simultaneously, enabling the drying agent to undergo dehumidification, regeneration, and cooling in separate sectors without interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The drying rotor rotates continuously, periodically bringing different sectors past the gas stream inlet and outlet. The drying agent undergoes cyclic processes of dehumidification, regeneration, and cooling as it rotates through different sectors, maintaining optimal temperature and absorption capacity throughout the cycle.
2Reliability
If a separate cooling gas stream is introduced to cool the drying agent, then the temperature is reduced improving absorption capacity, but the system capacity is reduced and additional equipment is required
Solution Approach 1:
The dehumidified gas stream serves multiple functions: it is cooled in a heat exchanger and then returned to cool the drying rotor during rotation, while also maintaining system pressure. This multi-functional use of the dehumidified gas eliminates the need for separate cooling equipment and maintains full system capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own dehumidified output stream to cool the drying rotor, making the system self-sufficient. The cooled dehumidified gas is recirculated back through the drying rotor to maintain optimal temperature, eliminating external cooling requirements.
3Reliability
If the available sector for drying is reduced to accommodate cooling and regeneration zones, then cooling and regeneration can occur, but the drying capacity of the wheel is impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The drying rotor operates continuously with all sectors functioning simultaneously. While one sector performs dehumidification, another performs regeneration, and a third performs cooling. This continuous operation ensures that the drying function is never interrupted and maintains full drying capacity throughout the rotation cycle.
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 improves the dehumidification efficiency by maintaining a lower, more optimal temperature for moisture absorption, increases drying performance, and reduces energy consumption by reusing cooled gas streams and controlling pressure to minimize leakage, thus enhancing the overall capacity and effectiveness of the sorption drying system.
Implementation Method 1
The drying wheel contains a mass of absorbing or sorptive material (drying agent) that removes moisture from the gas stream by the vapour being absorbed
Implementation Method 2
a cooler for cooling the deflected dehumidified gas stream
Implementation Method 3
a heated stream of regeneration gas arranged to flow through at least a part of the absorbent mass
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
Sorption drying system for dehumidification of a moist gas stream, comprising a mass (1) of absorbing material, a moist gas stream (2) arranged to flow through at least a part of the absorbent mass, and a heated stream of regeneration gas (3) arranged to flow through at least a part of the absorbent mass. The sorption drying system further comprises means (4) for deflecting a part of the dehumidified gas stream after flowing through the absorbent mass, a cooler (5) for cooling the deflected dehumidified gas stream, and means (6; 7) for returning the cooled deflected dehumidified gas stream to the moist gas stream at the inlet into the absorbent mass. At least a part of the cooled deflected dehumidified gas stream is arranged to flow through the absorbent mass in a channel separated from the moist gas stream.