GB1226348A - - Google Patents

Abstract

1,226,348. Drying compressed air. C. G. MUNTERS. 22 March, 1968 [29 March, 1967], No. 13964/68. Heading B1L. Compressed air from compressor 10 passes through condenser 14 in indirect countercurrent heat exchange with coolant which enters by line 26. Condensed water vapour is discharged to vessel 34, the partially dried compressed air leaving by conduit 42 and passing to moisture absorber 48 which contains a regenerative rotary body 50 which is rotated by motor 56 located within the absorber housing. Also located within the absorber housing but divided off from the absorption zone 62 by partition walls 58, 60 is a regeneration zone 68. Part of the partially dried air stream entering absorber 48 passes by conduit 70 to regeneration zone 68. Therein the air is heated by heater 72 before passing axially through the pleated folds of LiCl-impregnated asbestos sheet (of which the absorber body suitably consists) thereby continuously regenerating the absorber body as it rotates and passes through the regeneration zone. Moisture-laden air passes out by conduit 74 to condenser 78, water being removed by line 88 to vessel 34 and the effluent dry air leaving by conduit 90 being entrained by the suction effect of the air stream leaving ejector 44. If desired, ejector 44 may be dispensed with, and circulation of the regeneration air stream obtained by means of a blower (110) in line (74) (see Fig. 4, not shown), or by means of a direct bleed from line 42 to the regeneration zone controlled by a throttle (108) (see Fig. 3, not shown). Fig. 5 (not shown) illustrates an embodiment in which the regeneration stream passes through the absorber in counter-flow to the direction of flow of the main stream, then through condenser (78), through another portion of the absorber, and out with the main stream.