Gas separation: apparatus – Solid sorbent apparatus – Plural solid sorbent beds
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-14
2001-01-09
Spitzer, Robert H. (Department: 1724)
Gas separation: apparatus
Solid sorbent apparatus
Plural solid sorbent beds
C096S128000, C096S130000, C096S144000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06171377
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention is generally directed to a novel regenerative compressed gas dryer system. More particularly, the invention contemplates a dryer and an integrated multi-stage compressor for drying a gas, such as air, which have been combined to enhance the total system performance versus prior art dryer-systems.
Today, all dryers are designed to operate at the outlet of the compressor. With a heat of compression type dryer, the discharge temperature of the air at the outlet of the compressor is a critical item that determines the efficiency of the dryer. Many compressors have low discharge temperatures and thus the dryer that regenerates at the outlet is able to provide very limited performance. The present invention overcomes or minimizes the deficiencies of the prior art by connecting the dryer at an interstage of the compressor for regeneration, and by connecting the dryer at the outlet of the compressor for drying.
In addition, traditionally, compressors and dryers are sold as distinct and separate products. Typically, the compressor is sold with a heat exchanger and a separator that are located at the outlet of the compressor. The dryer is considered to be an accessory product and many times is not sold by the compressor manufacturer or compressor distributor. A difference between the prior art and the present invention is the marriage or integration of the compressor and the dryer to provide improved performance over prior art systems.
Other features and advantages will become apparent upon a reading of the attached specification, in combination with a study of the drawings.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A general object of the present invention is to provide a novel regenerative compressed gas dryer system which includes an integrated multi-stage compressor and a dryer which have been combined to enhance the total system performance versus prior art dryer systems.
An object of the present invention is to provide a novel regenerative compressed gas dryer system which connects the dryer interstage to one of the compressor stages between the compression stage and the heat exchanger for regeneration, and connects the dryer to the outlet of the compressor for drying the gas.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel regenerative compressed gas dryer system which can be used with a high pressure compressor.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel regenerative compressed gas dryer system which has multiple stages with regeneration occurring interstage of any of the stages.
Briefly, and in accordance with the foregoing, the present invention discloses a novel system for drying gas, such as air. The system includes a source of gas, such as air, to be dried, a multi-stage compressor having an inlet connected to the source, and a dryer connected interstage to the compressor and to the outlet of the compressor. A dryer is connected interstage to the compressor between a compression stage and a heat exchanger of one of the compressor stages for regenerating a first desiccant filled tower. The dryer is also connected to the outlet of the compressor for drying the gas using a second desiccant filled tower. A communication structure can be activated to connect the first tower to the outlet of the compressor for drying the gas using the first tower, and to connect the second tower interstage to the compressor for regeneration of the second tower.
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Henderson Engineering Co., Inc.
Spitzer Robert H.
Trexler Bushnell Giangiorgi & Blackstone Ltd.
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