DE1905191A1 - Method and device for changing the physical state of gases - Google Patents

Description

Anglo American Corporation of South Africa Limited, 44 Main Street, Johannesburg / South Africa

"Method and device for changing the physical State of gases "

The invention relates to a method and an apparatus to the. Change in the physical state of gases. The basic state variables that are affected here are the! temperature and moisture content of the gases.

When changing or influencing the physical conditions of gases, it is possible to control heating and cooling processes, Dehumidifying treatments, drying processes, and generally liquid evaporation processes such as boiling separation, desalination, concentration or the like.

According to the present invention is a method for

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Change of the physical state of gases by means of a pressure chamber and an expansion chamber are provided, each having a valve-controlled inlet and outlet and each comprising a liquid flask, the following process steps being used: Driving the pistons for a reciprocating motion of the pistons in a cycle but in opposite directions for sucking gas into one of the chambers under a certain pressure, then bringing about a change of the gas pressure in the same chamber, transferring the gas to the other while maintaining the changed pressure Chamber, receiving the gas under a pressure approximately equal to the original pressure in the second chamber and Discharging the gas from this, taking the gas during his The passage from the inlet of one chamber to the outlet of the other chamber is subjected to a heat exchange treatment will.

To carry out the method according to the invention, a device is provided in which the change in the physical State of the gases takes place and which includes a pressure and an expansion chamber at their lower ends are connected to one another and in each of which a liquid piston is formed by means of a liquid, also an inlet and an outlet are connected to each chamber, a connection between the outlet valve of the one chamber and the inlet valve of the other chamber, there is an actuator that feeds the liquid set the chambers in motion and an additional, depending on the height of the liquid level outlet valve is connected to each chamber.

The invention will be described below with reference to the drawings explained in more detail on the basis of exemplary embodiments.

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It should be noted, however, that the invention is not intended to be restricted to this exemplary embodiment. On the contrary, it is intended that the invention cover all alternative solutions, modifications, and equivalents which are within the scope of the invention which arises over the prior art.

Particular importance is attached to the plague that the cited details of the method according to the invention and the device according to the invention and combinations of these details are essential to the invention and only in the interests of the clarity of the presentation of the exemplary embodiments from an emphasis on the essentiality of the invention any feature or any combination of features is removed in the course of the further description will.

In the drawings show:

Pig. 1 shows a schematic side view of a device according to the invention with various additional units

.? 2 is a schematic side view of a erfindungsa - MAESSEN apparatus for gas heating up and to ^relax: remote moisture from gases;

Fig. 3 is a schematic side view of an inventive Device in its basic fifem for cooling gas;

Fig. 4 is a schematic side view of a modified embodiment according to the invention in its basic Construction.

As shown in Fig. 1, the apparatus includes a

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U-shaped tube that is partially filled with liquid 1 is. Floats 2, 3 for covering and limiting the liquid are carried by the liquid itself, whereby there is a float in each of two arms 4, 5, which each form a separate chamber.

The arms 4, 5 are connected to a high pressure vessel 6 via valves 7, 8 and to a low pressure vessel 9 via valves 10, 11 connected. The liquid is with the help of a drive, which will be described later, in the U-shaped Tube vibrated, and the valves are generally dependent on the pressure conditions operated, which prevail in the device.

With correct operation and actuation of the valves 7 »8, 10 and 11, air is passed through a line 12 and the Kettle 6 drawn into the arm or leg 4 which forms the expansion chamber of the device. The air can then relaxed in the leg 4, at low pressure over the Boiler 9 is filled into the leg 5 and there are compressed in the leg 5 to a pressure that is approximately the corresponds to original print. The leg 5 forms the Verdichtnngs- or compression chamber of the device. The air can then return from the limb 5 under a pressure which approximately corresponds to the original pressure are fed into the boiler 6.

Correspondingly, the gas can in the leg 5 via the connecting line 13 and the boiler 9 drawn in, compressed in the leg 5 and under high pressure over the Unload boiler 6 in leg 4, unload in leg 4. tensioned and at a pressure that is approximately the original Pressure corresponds to be returned to the boiler 9.

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The above two cycle processes form the basic mode of operation of the device according to the invention.

The inlet valve 11 and the outlet valve 8 are simple Flap valves that are actuated by a pressure difference on both sides of the respective valve. Both valves are under a slight spring pressure to close.

The valve 7 can not be operated by a normal pressure gradient, which is basically required for the Limit the amount of gas sucked into the leg 4 and before reaching the lower limit position of the float

3 to close with downward movement in order to relax the gas in the leg in this way

4 to enable.

Since the gas that is drawn into the leg 4, compared to the gas contained in the boiler 9 is always a high Has pressure, it has proven to be expedient to actuate the valve 7 from the pressure in the leg 5 to make dependent, in which the evacuation of the gas from the boiler 9 takes place. As can be seen from the illustration is, the valve 7 is provided with an air cylinder 14 which is connected to the shackle 4 and the valve 7 against the pressure of a spring 15 opens. If the pressure in the leg 5 is too low, at any selectable and predetermined movement of the swimmer, can the air cylinder 14 no longer opposes the valve. Keep the spring pressure open and the valve will close as a result.

The valve 10 opens as a function of the pressure gradient when the pressure in the leg 4 is lower than that in FIG

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the boiler 9. The valve 10 is reliably closed when the float 3 is almost at the top of its working stroke is located. Closing can be done in any suitable conventional manner, such as by application a magnet 16 in the float 3, which switches a delay relay 17 with a very short delay, which with a solenoid 18 is connected, which is used to close the valve.

During the operation of the device it has been found that as a result of the kinetic energy which is developed by the oscillating liquid 1, the device shows a constant tendency to overflow or to run over. Overflowing or being driven over would have the consequence that the floats 2, 3 provided for limiting and closing off the liquid hit the upper parts of the legs 4, 5 slightly. This phenomenon is prevented by trapping a body of gas or a portion of gas in each limb each time the corresponding swimmer approaches the upper end of its working stroke. As a result of its compression, this gas body has a dampening effect on the upward movement of the liquid piston and absorbs its kinetic energy. This energy transferred to the compressed gas is then communicated again to the liquid piston as it retreats downwards.

If valves 7 and 8 open upwards, you can use yours closed position against the pressure of the compressed gas is not maintained, and as a result there are two additional ones upwardly closing valves 19 and 20 are used. These are, for example, through the use of magnets 21 depending on the height of the liquid level, with the Ilagneten 21 still a delay relay 22 with very

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short delay time and solenoids 23 which are "operated in a similar manner" to those which in connection with the valve 10 were explained.

Since the compression of a gas brings about its heating, and vice versa, the relaxation of a gas causes it Causes cooling, the device can be used in conjunction with a heat exchange process for heating or cooling Air or another gas can be used.

Eb it should be noted that a kettle 6 or 9 is removed if he is open to the atmosphere. This relationship is shown in FIG. 2 on the basis of an embodiment of a method for performing a heating process is explained and at which only the Hiederänckkammer in the middle 9 is used.

When operating the device for heating air according to Pig. 2 is air through the valve 7 in the leg 4 in sucked in damp or steamy condition. Before the liquid in the leg 4- the bottom dead center of their Has reached movement, the valve 7 is closed. Since at this point in the cycle the valve 10 is also: is closed, "the air in the leg 4 is relaxed, and As a result, part of the liquid condenses in the limb 4. The heat of evaporation or that of the condensation released heat is transferred to the gas, so that the enthalpy or the total heat content of the gas itself increases, when compared to the enthalpy of the steam-gas system.

The gas under low pressure is now at a [temperature and at a pressure which are both below the

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corresponding values of the atmosphere are led to the boiler 9, where, if desired, the gas undergoes a heat exchange process can be subjected using a heat exchanger 24. During the upward Movement of the liquid in the leg 4 takes place in the leg 5 in a corresponding downward direction Movement of the liquid takes place. This process, which takes place via the open valve 11, is used to To suck air into the leg 5 at temperature and pressure values which are below those of the atmosphere, wherein it is air that has been supplied to the boiler 9 in a previous work stage.

During the working stroke of the liquid in leg 5, which forms the decrease, valves 8 and 11 are closed, and the low temperature and low pressure air becomes almost down to atmospheric Pressure is compressed and conveyed to the outside through valve 8 for further use. From this it follows that, since the enthalpy of the gas that is conveyed to the outside as a result of the latent heat of condensation or the heat of evaporation of its original liquid content is, the air even without the use of a heat exchanger 24 is drier and at a significantly higher temperature is promoted outside than the air in the tavern. 4 is sucked in.

In order to cool air, a reverse operation is adopted, as shown in FIG. 3. In this case, the air is sucked in through the valve 11, compressed in the leg 5 and conveyed to the boiler 6 at high pressure and high temperature, the boiler 9 now being omitted.

In this state the air undergoes a heat exchange process subjected, preferably water jets 25 used

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the air part of its heat content (sensible heat) consumed to evaporate the water in addition to a heat transfer to the water at the expense the heat content. The cooled air, which is still under high pressure, is then passed through the valve 7 into the Leg 4 introduced where it is at a below atmospheric temperature lying temperature and relaxed to a pressure approximately corresponding to atmospheric pressure is, during the downward movement of the liquid in the leg 4.

During the upward stroke or the fall of the liquid in the leg 4, the valve 10 is open, so that the cooled air can be conveyed into the atmosphere.

Because air is in a hot, compressed state for evaporation Suitable for liquids, the device can be used as an evaporator, for example for desalination of Brine or saline solution and, more generally, for any similar process by which a liquid component is separated a mixture, solution or suspension is sought. There can be different work stages and work processes are used, which is based on the fact that a gas is compressed to heat it, liquid, the contains other components into which hot compressed gas is injected during the compression process Part of the liquid content is evaporated and subsequently a sufficient expansion of the hot moist and compact Gas takes place in order to bring about a condensation of the liquid content. As a result, the Device according to FIG. 1, for example, air can be compressed in the leg 5, brine during the compression is injected into the leg 5 via a spray tube 26.

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The moist, compressed air can then pass through the boiler 6 are guided into the leg 4, where it is relaxed and the water is excreted by condensation. In the Legs 4 and 5 is a corresponding provision met that the concentrated brine and the condensed water can be withdrawn. Discharge can be done in anyone in a suitable conventional manner. In particularly advantageous For example, in the desalination of brine, the! Liquid 1, which forms the liquid piston, consist of brine, so that an addition of the concentrated brine in the leg 5 does not matter, provided that the volume of the liquid piston is kept constant. Because an increase in the volume of the liquid piston caused an increase in the maximum pressure in the leg 5, additional liquid can automatically through a corresponding relief valve 27 are discharged, which in connection with all possible applications of the Invention can be used in which there is an increase in volume of the liquid piston.

The water that excreted through condensation in the leg 4 must be kept separate from the liquid flask and withdrawn separately. The swimmer 3 cannot be sensible and useful alone as a border for separating the liquid 1 from that by condensation separated liquid are used in the leg 4, since the inevitable frictional engagement of the Float 3 with the leg 4 would significantly reduce the efficiency of the device. For this reason other suitable means are provided, for example a foldable bellows 28, which the float 3 with the leg 4 connects, the liquid separated by condensation being drawn off via a flexible tube 29 can, which is passed through the float 3 and the liquid piston to the outside.

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a satisfactory one from a thermodynamic point of view The low-pressure chamber 9 of Pig., 1 in the form of a container for receiving the objects or masses to be dried, as well as the high-pressure chamber 6, which is designed in the form of a heat exchanger. Warm, moist air is sucked into the leg 5, there compressed and fed in the heated, compressed state of the chamber 6, from where it is withdrawn via the leg 4 and relaxation takes place under! dehumidification to about atmospheric pressure and a lower temperature, there the chamber 6 is designed as a heat exchanger. The air that is saturated at this stage of work is located, is then at about atmospheric pressure in a gradually progressing sequence of operations around the chamber 6 and through the masses or objects to be dried in the chamber 9 and then in the Leg 5 returned or discharged into the atmosphere. Since a gradually progressing heat exchange to the If low-temperature air occurs, it is heated up and is gradually increasingly capable of absorbing moisture to be absorbed by the masses or objects to be dried.

The movement of the liquid 1, which forms the pistons in the legs 4 and 5, is basically brought about by the pressure difference in the legs 4 and 5. Since the liquid pistons have very low frictional losses, energy must be added to the system to make up for all of the energy losses in the system. The balance can be brought about by the use of a vacuum pump 30 shown in FIG. 2 or a compressor 31 shown in FIG. 3.

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In the crop drying application referred to above, steam injected into chamber 6 near valve 8 is used to supply energy to the system. Energy can also be produced by moving the U-tube itself by using a crankshaft 32 to produce a sideways pivoting movement according to Pig. 2 to effect. An eccentric gear 33 can also be used to provide vertical and reciprocating motion according to Pig. 3, the movements of the crankshaft or the eccentric shaft taking place in coordination with the movements of the liquid 1 in both cases. Of course, the energy supplied can also reach the system in other ways.

However, while the device is a U-tube according to the illustrations of Fig. 1 is effective in many applications in. Shape to 3, it takes relatively much sooner a result of the large cross-sectional area, which is caused by each of the legs 4 and 5. In order to reduce the loss of space, the device can also be designed in the manner shown in FIG. 4, in which the leg 4 has an annular shape, by which the leg 5 is surrounded.

It should be noted that the device in known Manner with equipment performing similar functions, can be used in the form of interconnected devices connected in series or in parallel. Interconnected Units can also arise, for example, in that the compression in the leg 5 or a device and the expansion take place in the leg 4 of another device.

- Patent claims: -

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BATH ORIGINAL

Claims (1)

- 13 - M 14 07 Ka / il Claims Process for changing the physical state of gases by means of a compression. ^ - and an expansion chamber, each with a controlled JUinlaß- and a likewise controlled exhaust valve as well as with a liquid piston provided Bind, g e k e η η is characterized by the following "process steps: Sucking gas under a certain pressure into a chamber by creating an im (Dakt as well as in opposite directions take place to and fro movement of the pistons, changing the gas pressure in the same Chamber, transferring the gas into the other chamber while maintaining the changed pressure, restoring it the original or a similar pressure in the latter chamber and evacuating the gas this, the gas exchanging heat on its way from the inlet of one chamber to the outlet of the other chamber is subjected. 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized that the heat exchange takes place in a heat exchanger that is connected to both chambers and lies between them. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized that the gas is heated by compression in a compression chamber, in a heat exchanger cooled and the cooling process is continued by expansion in an expansion chamber. - 14 909835/112 7 4. The method according to claim 3 »characterized that the gas is introduced in the moist state into the Kompreοsionskammer, in which Heat exchanger sufficiently cooled to bring about condensation of part of the liquid content and then after the relaxation in contact is used with a heat exchanger to further a drying process by absorption bring about liquid in the gas. 5. The method according to claim 3 or 4, characterized that the gas is introduced into the compression chamber warm and during compression is subjected to the action of water jets. 6. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the gas in the Verdienbungskammer is compressed, other liquid-containing components during the compression process into the Gas can be injected to cause evaporation of part of this liquid, and the gas and the steam is then fed to the expansion chamber to achieve co-generation of the steam. 7. The method according to claim 1, characterized that the gas at atmospheric pressure and at atmospheric temperature in the first Chamber is drawn, relaxed in this chamber and designed for a heat exchange in the relaxed state, to increase the enthalpy of the gas, whereupon; Gas then in the relaxed state in the second - 15 909835/1127 Chamber guided and compressed in this to a temperature above atmospheric temperature and then discharged while maintaining this temperature. 3. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the escape of the gas from each chamber during the last part of the movement of each liquid piston is prevented by a pair of valves, each of which is dependent on the location of the corresponding liquid piston is controlled. 9. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that I net, that the pressure in the compression chamber is used for this becomes, the closing pressure of the inlet valve of the expansion chamber to control. 10. A device for changing the physical state of gases using the method according to one or more of the preceding claims, in the embodiment with a compression and a "Cxpansionskaiumer", which are connected to each other at their lower .'inden, wherein in a liquid piston is formed in each chamber by means of liquid and inlet and outlet valves are connected to each chamber, characterized in that there is a connection between the outlet valve of one chamber (5) and the inlet valve (7) of the other chamber, drive devices (30 - 33) are provided for an oscillatory movement of the liquid in both bores (4, 5) and additional valves (10, 20) with jedo3 ' - 16 909835/112? ORIGINAL BATHROOM (corresponding) chamber (4 "or 5), are connected, which are operated depending on the height of the liquid level. 11. The device according to claim 10, characterized in "g e.-kennzeich.net that drive devices for bringing about vibratory movements or Reciprocating movements of the liquid in the chambers (4, 5) are provided, which are designed in this way are that the vibratory movement in the chambers (4 »5) takes place in the Cakt. 12. Apparatus according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that a chamber (4) is annular and extends around / around the other chamber (5). 13. Apparatus according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the connection between the outlet valve of one chamber and the inlet valve of the other chamber in the form of a heat exchanger is trained. 14. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims 10-13, characterized E ic h η e t that a device for drawing off excess liquid is provided. 909835/1127 ifr- Blank page