Why is the non-purge regenerative adsorption dryer energy-saving?
Release Date:
2024-11-12
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Summary
Non-consumptive gas regeneration adsorption dryers can only be used when a lower dew point temperature is required. According to different regeneration methods of adsorption dryers, they can be divided into non-thermal regeneration dryers, low-heat regeneration dryers, blower-heated regeneration dryers, and compression heat regeneration dryers.
The working principle of non-consumptive gas regeneration adsorption dryers is combined with engineering examples to compare the energy consumption of various dryers. This article mainly discusses the problems existing in the engineering application of non-gas regeneration adsorption dryers and solves the problems from two aspects: engineering design optimization and equipment process modification.
1. Working Principle of Non-Consumptive Gas Regeneration Adsorption Dryer
Adsorption dryers generally use a dual-tower structure, one for gas drying and the other for adsorbent regeneration. Commonly used adsorbent materials include activated alumina and molecular sieves. Activated alumina is very sensitive to the temperature of the working medium. When the ambient temperature of the adsorbent reaches above 130°C, the moisture content of the adsorbent is only about 1%, almost completely desorbed. At the same temperature, molecular sieves have a higher water adsorption capacity than activated alumina, but desorption is not as complete as activated alumina.
The adsorbent regeneration process is divided into four stages: heating, depressurization, cold blowing, and pressure equalization. The adsorption tower and regeneration tower switch according to the control signals given by the dryer's PLC.
High-temperature compressed air (above 110°C) enters the dryer and then directly flows into the regeneration tower. Because the high-temperature compressed air is unsaturated, it evaporates the water stored in the adsorbent. The vaporized water is adsorbed by the unsaturated high-temperature compressed air and enters the subsequent cooler of the dryer, cooling to about 40°C. At this time, the compressed air is in a supersaturated state, releasing a large amount of liquid water, which is discharged through the water separator. After cooling, the compressed air enters the drying tower. After reaching the dew point requirement, most of it is output to the compressed air pipeline network for use in workshops and various fueling stations. A small portion flows into the regeneration tower through the adsorbent cold blowing control valve. At this stage, the compressed air consumed accounts for about 2% of the total gas volume. Since the compressed air used for cold blowing is dry compressed air, the adsorbent can be desorbed. After the cold blowing process ends, this part of the compressed air is discharged through a silencer.
The regeneration tower and adsorption tower need to undergo a pressure equalization process before switching. This process is controlled by the dryer's PLC control program. Each switch means the dryer undergoes a complete working cycle. Control methods generally include dew point control and time control.
The compressed air entering and leaving the dryer is a continuous process, while the dual-tower switching of the dryer is an intermittent process, so they are not synchronized. During the cold blowing process of the regeneration tower, the high-temperature compressed air bypassing the dryer directly enters the aftercooler and water separator, then enters the drying tower. These processes are implemented through the dryer's control program.
2. Power Consumption Comparison of Non-Consumptive Gas Regeneration Adsorption Dryers
To compare the energy consumption of several commonly used adsorption dryers, this article briefly introduces the regeneration processes of other dryers.
The regeneration process of non-consumptive gas regeneration adsorption dryers does not require heating. The purified compressed air is depressurized and then flows into the regeneration tower. The adsorbent is desorbed through the principle of pressure swing adsorption. The regeneration compressed air carries away the moisture in the adsorbent and is discharged through a silencer.
Keywords:
Air Dryer
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