JP2009207951A

JP2009207951A - Gas separator

Info

Publication number: JP2009207951A
Application number: JP2008050782A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Tomoichiro Nakamura; 知一郎中村; Takeshi Katsumoto; 武勝本
Original assignee: Hitachi Ltd
Current assignee: Hitachi Ltd
Priority date: 2008-02-29
Filing date: 2008-02-29
Publication date: 2009-09-17
Anticipated expiration: 2028-02-29
Also published as: JP4806690B2

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a gas separator which is capable of easily performing the maintenance management of a plurality of compressors. <P>SOLUTION: In the gas separator 1 equipped with a plurality of compressors 2A-2C to discharge air by compression, an air tank 5 to store compressed air discharged from the compressors 2A-2C, a plurality of adsorption tanks 10A-10C which conducts the adsorption step in order by separating one of gases among the compressed air sent from the air tanks 5 charged with an adsorbent inside to produce a product gas from other gases, and a control means 20 to control the operation of the compressors 2A-2C, the control means 20 causes a plurality of adsorption tanks 10A-10C to conduct the adsorption step in order and then controls the operation of the adsorption tanks so that one of compressors among the compressors 2A-2C is allowed to operate for the longest time, and other compressors are allowed to operate for a shorter time than one of the compressor during the adsorption step of one of adsorption tanks. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

本発明は、気体分離装置に関する。 The present invention relates to a gas separation device.

気体分離装置として、例えば、空気を圧縮する複数の圧縮機と、内部に吸着剤が吸着され圧縮機から吐出された圧縮空気のうちの一の気体を分離して他の気体を製品ガスとして生成する複数の吸着槽とを備えたものがある（例えば、特許文献１参照）。
特開２００４−３２９９８７号公報 As a gas separation device, for example, a plurality of compressors that compress air, and one of the compressed air discharged from the compressor with the adsorbent adsorbed inside, and other gases are generated as product gas There are some equipped with a plurality of adsorption tanks (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2004-329987 A

従来の気体分離装置において、複数の圧縮機の運転制御は、これらが吐出する圧縮空気を貯留する空気タンク内の圧力に基づいて行われることになり、余剰な空気を外部に排気しつつの１００％での負荷運転、インバータ制御、台数制御等が一般的となっている。これらの場合、各圧縮機は、空気タンク内の圧力を検知して行われる圧力制御で制御されるため、周囲温度や、製品ガスの顧客による使用量、時系列的な圧縮機の性能低下による影響を受けることになり、運転時間が毎回変化してしまう。よって、各圧縮機の運転時間に個体差が生じることになり、メンテナンス管理が困難になってしまう。 In the conventional gas separation apparatus, the operation control of the plurality of compressors is performed based on the pressure in the air tank that stores the compressed air discharged from them, and 100 while exhausting excess air to the outside. % Load operation, inverter control, number control, etc. are common. In these cases, each compressor is controlled by pressure control performed by detecting the pressure in the air tank, so it depends on the ambient temperature, the amount of product gas used by the customer, and the time-series performance degradation of the compressor. It will be affected and the driving time will change every time. Therefore, individual differences occur in the operation time of each compressor, and maintenance management becomes difficult.

したがって、本発明は、複数の圧縮機のメンテナンス管理を容易に行うことができる気体分離装置の提供を目的とする。 Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a gas separation device that can easily perform maintenance management of a plurality of compressors.

上記目的を達成するために、本発明は、空気を圧縮して吐出する複数の圧縮機と、該複数の圧縮機から吐出された圧縮空気を貯留する空気タンクと、内部に吸着剤が充填され前記空気タンクから送られる圧縮空気のうちの一の気体を分離して他の気体を製品ガスとして生成する吸着工程を順次行う複数の吸着槽と、前記複数の圧縮機の運転を制御する制御手段とを有する気体分離装置において、前記制御手段は、前記複数の吸着槽を順に前記吸着工程を行わせ、その際に、一の吸着槽の吸着工程時は、前記複数の圧縮機のうちの一の圧縮機を最長時間運転させ、他の圧縮機を停止または前記一の圧縮機よりも短い時間運転させるように制御し、次の吸着槽の吸着工程時は、前記他の圧縮機のうちの一台を最長時間運転させ、前記一の圧縮機を停止または前記他の圧縮機のうちの一台よりも短い時間運転させるように制御することを特徴としている。 In order to achieve the above object, the present invention includes a plurality of compressors that compress and discharge air, an air tank that stores compressed air discharged from the plurality of compressors, and an adsorbent inside. A plurality of adsorption tanks for sequentially performing an adsorption step of separating one gas of compressed air sent from the air tank and generating another gas as a product gas, and a control means for controlling the operation of the plurality of compressors The control means causes the plurality of adsorption tanks to sequentially perform the adsorption step, and at that time, during the adsorption process of one adsorption tank, one of the plurality of compressors. The compressor is operated for the longest time, and the other compressor is controlled to be stopped or operated for a shorter time than the one compressor. During the adsorption process of the next adsorption tank, of the other compressors One unit is operated for the longest time, and the one compressor is It is characterized by controlling so as to shorter operation than a single one of stopping or the other compressor.

本発明によれば、各圧縮機の運転時間を平均化することができる。したがって、複数の圧縮機のメンテナンス管理を容易に行うことができる。 According to the present invention, the operation time of each compressor can be averaged. Therefore, maintenance management of a plurality of compressors can be easily performed.

本発明の一実施形態の気体分離装置を図面を参照して以下に説明する。
図１に示すように、本実施形態の気体分離装置１は、空気を圧縮する複数具体的には三台の圧縮機２Ａ〜２Ｃと、これら圧縮機２Ａ〜２Ｃにより生成された圧縮空気を乾燥させる冷凍式のエアドライヤ４と、このエアドライヤ４に接続されこのエアドライヤ４で乾燥後の圧縮空気を貯留する１本の共通空気タンク５とを有している。 A gas separation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 1, the gas separation apparatus 1 of this embodiment dries a plurality of, specifically, three compressors 2A to 2C that compress air, and the compressed air generated by these compressors 2A to 2C. And a single air tank 5 connected to the air dryer 4 and storing compressed air dried by the air dryer 4.

また、気体分離装置１は、共通空気タンク５に接続される複数具体的には３個の供給開閉弁８Ａ〜８Ｃと、それぞれが一対一で設けられた供給開閉弁を介して共通空気タンク５に接続される複数具体的には３本の吸着槽１０Ａ〜１０Ｃとを有している。これらの吸着槽１０Ａ〜１０Ｃは、ＰＳＡ（ＰｒｅｓｓｕｒｅＳｗｉｎｇＡｄｓｏｒｐｔｉｏｎ）式のものであり、内部に分子篩カーボン等の吸着剤が充填され、供給された圧縮空気のうちの一の気体である酸素を分離して他の気体である窒素を製品ガスとして生成する吸着工程を行うものである。 Moreover, the gas separation apparatus 1 is connected to the common air tank 5, specifically, the three supply on-off valves 8A to 8C, and the common air tank 5 via the supply on-off valves provided one-on-one. More specifically, it has three adsorption tanks 10A to 10C connected to each other. These adsorption tanks 10A to 10C are of PSA (Pressure Swing Adsorption) type, and are filled with an adsorbent such as molecular sieve carbon to separate oxygen, which is one of the supplied compressed air. Then, an adsorption process for generating nitrogen, which is another gas, as a product gas is performed.

また、気体分離装置１は、吸着槽１０Ａ〜１０Ｃのそれぞれに一対一で設けられて対応する吸着槽内から気体を外気に排出する排気開閉弁１１Ａ〜１１Ｃと、吸着槽１０Ａ〜１０Ｃのそれぞれに一対一で設けられて対応する他の一の吸着槽との連通・遮断を切り替える連通開閉弁１２Ａ〜１２Ｃと、吸着槽１０Ａ〜１０Ｃのそれぞれに一対一で設けられて対応する吸着槽から窒素ガスを取り出す取出開閉弁１３Ａ〜１３Ｃと、これら取出開閉弁１３Ａ〜１３Ｃを介してすべての吸着槽１０Ａ〜１０Ｃに接続されて窒素ガスを貯留する１本の窒素ガスタンク１５と、窒素ガスタンク１５から供給先に供給する窒素ガスの濃度を検出する濃度センサ１６と、これらを制御する制御部（制御手段）２０とを有している。 Moreover, the gas separation apparatus 1 is provided in each of the adsorption tanks 10A to 10C on a one-to-one basis, and the exhaust on / off valves 11A to 11C for discharging the gas from the corresponding adsorption tank to the outside air and the adsorption tanks 10A to 10C, respectively. The open / close valves 12A to 12C for switching communication / blocking with the other corresponding adsorption tanks provided in one-to-one correspondence and nitrogen gas from the corresponding adsorption tanks provided in one-to-one correspondence with the adsorption tanks 10A to 10C, respectively. Take-off on / off valves 13A to 13C for taking out gas, one nitrogen gas tank 15 connected to all the adsorbing tanks 10A to 10C via these take-off on / off valves 13A to 13C, and storing the nitrogen gas, and the supply destination from the nitrogen gas tank 15 A concentration sensor 16 for detecting the concentration of nitrogen gas supplied to the control unit 20 and a control unit (control means) 20 for controlling them.

ここで、制御部２０は、複数の吸着槽１０Ａ〜１０Ｃに対して順に吸着工程を行わせ、その際に、複数の圧縮機２Ａ〜２Ｃを、一の吸着槽の吸着工程の時間は一の圧縮機を運転するように、順に運転する。つまり、制御部２０は、吸着槽１０Ａ、吸着槽１０Ｂ、吸着槽１０Ｃ、吸着槽１０Ａ、…の順番を繰り返すように吸着工程を同じ所定の吸着時間ＴＸ１だけそれぞれ行わせることになり、その際に、圧縮機２Ａ〜２Ｃを、一の吸着槽１０Ａの吸着工程の吸着時間ＴＸ１の間にわたって一の圧縮機２Ａを連続で運転し、一の吸着槽１０Ｂの吸着工程の吸着時間ＴＸ１の間にわたって一の圧縮機２Ｂを連続で運転し、一の吸着槽１０Ｃの吸着工程の吸着時間ＴＸ１の間にわたって一の圧縮機２Ｃを連続で運転し、というように、圧縮機２Ａ、圧縮機２Ｂ、圧縮機２Ｃ、圧縮機２Ａ、…の順番を繰り返すように運転する。 Here, the control unit 20 causes the plurality of adsorption tanks 10A to 10C to perform the adsorption process in order, and at that time, the plurality of compressors 2A to 2C are set to have the same adsorption process time for one adsorption tank. Operate in sequence as you would a compressor. That is, the control unit 20 causes the adsorption process to be performed for the same predetermined adsorption time TX1 so as to repeat the order of the adsorption tank 10A, the adsorption tank 10B, the adsorption tank 10C, the adsorption tank 10A,. The compressors 2A to 2C are continuously operated during the adsorption time TX1 of the adsorption process of the single adsorption tank 10A, and the compressor 2A is continuously operated during the adsorption time TX1 of the adsorption process of the single adsorption tank 10B. The compressor 2B is continuously operated, the one compressor 2C is continuously operated during the adsorption time TX1 of the adsorption process of the one adsorption tank 10C, and so on. The compressor 2A, the compressor 2B, the compressor It operates so that the order of 2C, compressor 2A, ... may be repeated.

また、制御部２０は、一の吸着槽１０Ａの吸着工程の所定の吸着時間ＴＸ１にわたって運転を継続する一の圧縮機２Ａを次の吸着槽１０Ｂの吸着工程開始時の一部の時間まで運転することになり、一の吸着槽１０Ｂの吸着工程の吸着時間ＴＸ１にわたって運転を継続する一の圧縮機２Ｂを次の吸着槽１０Ｃの吸着工程開始時の一部の時間まで運転することになり、一の吸着槽１０Ｃの吸着工程の吸着時間ＴＸ１にわたって運転を継続する一の圧縮機２Ｃを次の吸着槽１０Ａの吸着工程開始時の一部の時間まで運転することになる。 In addition, the control unit 20 operates the one compressor 2A that continues to operate for a predetermined adsorption time TX1 of the adsorption process of one adsorption tank 10A until a part of time at the start of the adsorption process of the next adsorption tank 10B. Therefore, one compressor 2B that continues to operate over the adsorption time TX1 of the adsorption process of one adsorption tank 10B will be operated until a part of time at the start of the adsorption process of the next adsorption tank 10C. One compressor 2C, which continues operation over the adsorption time TX1 of the adsorption process of the first adsorption tank 10C, is operated until a part of the time at the start of the adsorption process of the next adsorption tank 10A.

具体的には、図２のタイミングチャートに示すように、吸着槽１０Ａの吸着工程において、その開始時点ｔａ１で吸着槽１０Ａ用の供給開閉弁８Ａのみを開いた状態とし圧縮機２Ａおよび圧縮機２Ｂの運転を開始することになる。このとき、圧縮機２Ｃは時点ｔａ１以前からの運転を継続している。つまり、圧縮機２Ｃは吸着槽１０Ｃの吸着工程開始時点から所定の連続運転時間ＴＹ１（最長時間）だけ運転を継続することになり、これが吸着槽１０Ａの吸着工程の開始時点ｔａ１でも継続している。また、圧縮機２Ｂの運転は圧縮機２Ａの運転を補助するためのものである。 Specifically, as shown in the timing chart of FIG. 2, in the adsorption process of the adsorption tank 10A, at the start time ta1, only the supply opening / closing valve 8A for the adsorption tank 10A is opened, and the compressor 2A and the compressor 2B. Will start driving. At this time, the compressor 2C continues the operation from before the time point ta1. That is, the compressor 2C continues to operate for a predetermined continuous operation time TY1 (the longest time) from the start of the adsorption process of the adsorption tank 10C, and this continues even at the start time ta1 of the adsorption process of the adsorption tank 10A. . The operation of the compressor 2B is for assisting the operation of the compressor 2A.

そして、時点ｔａ２において、吸着槽１０Ｃの吸着工程開始時点で開始された圧縮機２Ｃの所定の連続運転時間ＴＹ１の運転が終了し、次に、時点ｔａ３において、吸着槽１０Ａの吸着工程開始時点ｔａ１で開始された圧縮機２Ｂによる、連続運転時間ＴＹ１よりも短く且つ吸着時間ＴＸ１よりも短い補助運転時間ＴＹ２の運転が終了する。そして、吸着槽１０Ａの吸着工程の開始時点ｔａ１から吸着時間ＴＸ１が経過した時点ｔａ４において、吸着槽１０Ａの吸着工程を終了し、制御部２０は、供給開閉弁８Ａを閉じ連通開閉弁１２Ａを開いて吸着槽１０Ａと吸着槽１０Ｂとを連通させる均圧工程を開始する。そして、均圧工程を行う所定の均圧時間ＴＺ１が経過した時点ｔａ５において、開閉弁１２Ａを閉じて次の吸着槽１０Ｂの吸着工程を開始する。 Then, at the time ta2, the operation of the predetermined continuous operation time TY1 of the compressor 2C started at the time of starting the adsorption process of the adsorption tank 10C is completed, and then at the time ta3, the adsorption process start time ta1 of the adsorption tank 10A. The operation of the auxiliary operation time TY2 that is shorter than the continuous operation time TY1 and shorter than the adsorption time TX1 by the compressor 2B started in step S1 ends. Then, at the time ta4 when the adsorption time TX1 has elapsed from the start time ta1 of the adsorption process of the adsorption tank 10A, the adsorption process of the adsorption tank 10A is finished, and the control unit 20 closes the supply on-off valve 8A and opens the communication on-off valve 12A. Then, a pressure equalization process for communicating the adsorption tank 10A and the adsorption tank 10B is started. Then, at a time ta5 when a predetermined pressure equalizing time TZ1 for performing the pressure equalizing process has elapsed, the on-off valve 12A is closed and the adsorbing process of the next adsorption tank 10B is started.

つまり、吸着槽１０Ｂの吸着工程において、その開始時点ｔａ５で吸着槽１０Ｂ用の供給開閉弁８Ｂのみを開いた状態とし圧縮機２Ｂおよび圧縮機２Ｃの運転を開始することになる。このとき、圧縮機２Ａはｔａ５以前の時点ｔａ１からの運転を継続している。つまり、圧縮機２Ａは吸着槽１０Ａの吸着工程開始時点ｔａ１から所定の連続運転時間ＴＹ１だけ運転を継続することになり、これが吸着槽１０Ｂの吸着工程の開始時点ｔａ５でも継続している。また、圧縮機２Ｃの運転は圧縮機２Ｂの運転を補助するためのものである。 That is, in the adsorption process of the adsorption tank 10B, at the start time ta5, only the supply opening / closing valve 8B for the adsorption tank 10B is opened, and the operation of the compressor 2B and the compressor 2C is started. At this time, the compressor 2A continues the operation from the time ta1 before ta5. That is, the compressor 2A continues to operate for a predetermined continuous operation time TY1 from the adsorption process start time ta1 of the adsorption tank 10A, and this continues at the adsorption process start time ta5 of the adsorption tank 10B. The operation of the compressor 2C is for assisting the operation of the compressor 2B.

そして、時点ｔａ６において、吸着槽１０Ａの吸着工程開始時点ｔａ１で開始された圧縮機２Ａの所定の連続運転時間ＴＹ１の運転が終了し、次に、時点ｔａ７において、吸着槽１０Ｂの吸着工程開始時点ｔａ５で開始された圧縮機２Ｃによる補助運転時間ＴＹ２の運転が終了する。そして、吸着槽１０Ｂの吸着工程の開始時点ｔａ５から吸着時間ＴＸ１が経過した時点ｔａ８において、吸着槽１０Ｂの吸着工程を終了し、制御部２０は、供給開閉弁８Ｂを閉じ連通開閉弁１２Ｂを開いて吸着槽１０Ｂと吸着槽１０Ｃとを連通させる均圧工程を開始する。そして、均圧工程を行う所定の均圧時間ＴＺ１が経過した時点ｔａ９において、開閉弁１２Ｂを閉じて次の吸着槽１０Ｃの吸着工程を開始する。 Then, at time ta6, the operation of the predetermined continuous operation time TY1 of the compressor 2A started at the adsorption process start time ta1 of the adsorption tank 10A is completed, and then at the time ta7, the adsorption process start time of the adsorption tank 10B. The operation of the auxiliary operation time TY2 by the compressor 2C started at ta5 is completed. Then, at the time ta8 when the adsorption time TX1 has elapsed from the start time ta5 of the adsorption process of the adsorption tank 10B, the adsorption process of the adsorption tank 10B is finished, and the control unit 20 closes the supply on-off valve 8B and opens the communication on-off valve 12B. Then, a pressure equalization process for communicating the adsorption tank 10B and the adsorption tank 10C is started. Then, at a time ta9 when a predetermined pressure equalizing time TZ1 for performing the pressure equalizing process has elapsed, the on-off valve 12B is closed and the adsorbing process of the next adsorbing tank 10C is started.

つまり、吸着槽１０Ｃの吸着工程において、その開始時点ｔａ９で吸着槽１０Ｃ用の供給開閉弁８Ｃのみを開いた状態とし圧縮機２Ｃおよび圧縮機２Ａの運転を開始することになる。このとき、圧縮機２Ｂはｔａ９以前の時点ｔａ５からの運転を継続している。つまり、圧縮機２Ｂは吸着槽１０Ｂの吸着工程開始時点ｔａ５から所定の連続運転時間ＴＹ１だけ運転を継続することになり、これが吸着槽１０Ｃの吸着工程の開始時点ｔａ９でも継続している。また、圧縮機２Ａの運転は圧縮機２Ｃの運転を補助するためのものである。 That is, in the adsorption process of the adsorption tank 10C, only the supply opening / closing valve 8C for the adsorption tank 10C is opened at the start time ta9, and the operation of the compressor 2C and the compressor 2A is started. At this time, the compressor 2B continues operation from the time ta5 before ta9. That is, the compressor 2B continues to operate for a predetermined continuous operation time TY1 from the adsorption process start time ta5 of the adsorption tank 10B, and this continues at the adsorption process start time ta9 of the adsorption tank 10C. The operation of the compressor 2A is for assisting the operation of the compressor 2C.

そして、時点ｔａ１０において、吸着槽１０Ｂの吸着工程開始時点ｔａ５で開始された圧縮機２Ｂの所定の連続運転時間ＴＹ１の運転が終了し、次に、時点ｔａ１１において、吸着槽１０Ｃの吸着工程開始時点ｔａ９で開始された圧縮機２Ａによる補助運転時間ＴＹ２の運転が終了する。そして、吸着槽１０Ｃの吸着工程の開始時点ｔａ９から吸着時間ＴＸ１が経過した時点ｔａ１２において、吸着槽１０Ｃの吸着工程を終了し、制御部２０は、供給開閉弁８Ｃを閉じ連通開閉弁１２Ｃを開いて吸着槽１０Ａと吸着槽１０Ｃとを連通させる均圧工程を開始する。そして、均圧工程を行う所定の均圧時間ＴＺ１が経過した時点ｔａ１３において、開閉弁１２Ｃを閉じて次の吸着槽１０Ａの吸着工程を開始する。 Then, at time ta10, the operation of the predetermined continuous operation time TY1 of the compressor 2B started at the adsorption process start time ta5 of the adsorption tank 10B ends, and then at the time ta11, the adsorption process start time of the adsorption tank 10C. The operation of the auxiliary operation time TY2 by the compressor 2A started at ta9 ends. Then, at the time ta12 when the adsorption time TX1 has elapsed from the start time ta9 of the adsorption process of the adsorption tank 10C, the adsorption process of the adsorption tank 10C is finished, and the control unit 20 closes the supply on-off valve 8C and opens the communication on-off valve 12C. Then, a pressure equalization process for communicating the adsorption tank 10A and the adsorption tank 10C is started. Then, at a time ta13 when a predetermined pressure equalizing time TZ1 for performing the pressure equalizing process has elapsed, the on-off valve 12C is closed and the adsorbing process of the next adsorbing tank 10A is started.

つまり、吸着槽１０Ａの吸着工程において、その開始時点ｔａ１３で吸着槽１０Ａ用の供給開閉弁８Ａのみを開いた状態とし圧縮機２Ａおよび圧縮機２Ｂの運転を開始することになる。このとき、圧縮機２Ｃはｔａ１３以前の時点ｔａ９からの運転を継続している。つまり、圧縮機２Ｃは吸着槽１０Ｃの吸着工程開始時点ｔａ９から所定の連続運転時間ＴＹ１だけ運転を継続することになり、これが吸着槽１０Ａの吸着工程の開始時点ｔａ１３でも継続している。また、圧縮機２Ｂの運転は圧縮機２Ａの運転を補助するためのものである。 That is, in the adsorption process of the adsorption tank 10A, at the start time ta13, only the supply opening / closing valve 8A for the adsorption tank 10A is opened, and the operation of the compressor 2A and the compressor 2B is started. At this time, the compressor 2C continues the operation from the time ta9 before ta13. That is, the compressor 2C continues to operate for a predetermined continuous operation time TY1 from the adsorption process start time ta9 of the adsorption tank 10C, and this continues at the adsorption process start time ta13 of the adsorption tank 10A. The operation of the compressor 2B is for assisting the operation of the compressor 2A.

そして、時点ｔａ１４において、吸着槽１０Ｃの吸着工程開始時点ｔａ９で開始された圧縮機２Ｃの所定の連続運転時間ＴＹ１の運転が終了し、次に、時点ｔａ１５において、吸着槽１０Ａの吸着工程開始時点ｔａ１３で開始された圧縮機２Ｂによる補助運転時間ＴＹ２の運転が終了する。そして、吸着槽１０Ａの吸着工程の開始時点ｔａ１３から吸着時間ＴＸ１が経過した時点ｔａ１６において、吸着槽１０Ａの吸着工程を終了し、制御部２０は、供給開閉弁８Ａを閉じ開閉弁１２Ａ〜１２Ｃを開いて吸着槽１０Ａと吸着槽１０Ｂと吸着槽１０Ｃとを連通させる均圧工程を開始する。そして、均圧工程を行う所定の均圧時間ＴＺ１が経過した時点ｔａ１７において、開閉弁１２Ａ〜１２Ｃを閉じて次の吸着槽１０Ｂの吸着工程を上記と同様に開始する。
以上のパターンを繰り返すのである。 Then, at time ta14, the operation of the predetermined continuous operation time TY1 of the compressor 2C started at the adsorption process start time ta9 of the adsorption tank 10C is finished, and then at the time ta15, the adsorption process start time of the adsorption tank 10A. The operation of the auxiliary operation time TY2 by the compressor 2B started at ta13 is completed. Then, at the time ta16 when the adsorption time TX1 has elapsed from the start time ta13 of the adsorption process of the adsorption tank 10A, the adsorption process of the adsorption tank 10A is finished, and the control unit 20 closes the supply on-off valve 8A and opens the on-off valves 12A to 12C. The pressure equalization process is started to open and communicate the adsorption tank 10A, the adsorption tank 10B, and the adsorption tank 10C. Then, at a time point ta17 when a predetermined pressure equalizing time TZ1 for performing the pressure equalizing process has elapsed, the on-off valves 12A to 12C are closed and the adsorbing process of the next adsorbing tank 10B is started in the same manner as described above.
The above pattern is repeated.

以上に述べた本実施形態の気体分離装置１によれば、制御部２０が、複数の吸着槽１０Ａ〜１０Ｃに対して順に吸着工程を行わせることになり、その際に、複数の圧縮機２Ａ〜２Ｃを、一の吸着槽１０Ａの吸着工程の時間は一の圧縮機２Ａを運転し、一の吸着槽１０Ｂの吸着工程の時間は一の圧縮機２Ｂを運転し、一の吸着槽１０Ｃの吸着工程の時間は一の圧縮機２Ｃを運転し、というように、決められたサイクルパターンで順に運転することになるため、各圧縮機２Ａ〜２Ｃの運転時間を平均化することができる。したがって、複数の圧縮機２Ａ〜２Ｃのメンテナンス管理を容易に行うことができる。 According to the gas separation device 1 of the present embodiment described above, the control unit 20 causes the plurality of adsorption tanks 10A to 10C to perform the adsorption step in order, and in that case, the plurality of compressors 2A. ~ 2C, the time of the adsorption process of one adsorption tank 10A operates one compressor 2A, the time of the adsorption process of one adsorption tank 10B operates one compressor 2B, and the time of one adsorption tank 10C Since the time of the adsorption process is such that one compressor 2C is operated and so on, the operation time of each of the compressors 2A to 2C can be averaged. Therefore, maintenance management of the plurality of compressors 2A to 2C can be easily performed.

しかも、圧縮機２Ａ〜２Ｃを適度な断続運転とするため、連続運転による温度上昇に起因した耐久性低下および過剰な断続運転による耐久性低下も防止できる。
また、余剰空気を大量に排出しないため、エネルギのロスを抑制できる。つまり、本実施形態によれば、図３に示すように、圧縮機２Ａ〜２Ｃの運転状態に対して、実線ａで示すように共通空気タンク５の圧力が変化することになり、従来のインバータ制御または圧縮空気の外部への排出でなくしている余剰分ｂを圧縮機２Ａ〜２Ｃの適宜の停止でなくすことができるため、エネルギのロスを抑制できる。
また、圧力制御するよりも、制御システムが簡素化できる。 In addition, since the compressors 2A to 2C are appropriately intermittently operated, it is possible to prevent a decrease in durability due to a temperature increase due to continuous operation and a decrease in durability due to excessive intermittent operation.
Moreover, since a large amount of excess air is not discharged, energy loss can be suppressed. That is, according to this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the pressure of the common air tank 5 changes as shown by the solid line a with respect to the operating state of the compressors 2A to 2C. Since the excess b which is not controlled or discharged to the outside of the compressed air can be eliminated by an appropriate stop of the compressors 2A to 2C, energy loss can be suppressed.
Further, the control system can be simplified rather than the pressure control.

また、制御部２０は、一の吸着槽１０Ａの吸着工程の時間運転する一の圧縮機２Ａを次の吸着槽１０Ｂの吸着工程開始時の一部の時間まで運転し、一の吸着槽１０Ｂの吸着工程の時間運転する一の圧縮機２Ｂを次の吸着槽１０Ｃの吸着工程開始時の一部の時間まで運転し、一の吸着槽１０Ｃの吸着工程の時間運転する一の圧縮機２Ｃを次の吸着槽１０Ａの吸着工程開始時の一部の時間まで運転するため、圧縮機２Ａ〜２Ｃを補助的に運転する時間も平均化することができる。また、圧縮機２Ａ〜２Ｃを補助的に運転する際にも圧縮機２Ａ〜２Ｃの運転・停止の回数を抑えることができる。 Further, the control unit 20 operates the one compressor 2A that operates for the time of the adsorption process of the one adsorption tank 10A until a part of time at the start of the adsorption process of the next adsorption tank 10B, One compressor 2B that operates for the time of the adsorption process is operated until a part of time at the start of the adsorption process of the next adsorption tank 10C, and one compressor 2C that operates for the time of the adsorption process of one adsorption tank 10C is next Since the operation is performed up to a part of the time when the adsorption process of the adsorption tank 10A is started, the time during which the compressors 2A to 2C are operated in an auxiliary manner can also be averaged. In addition, the number of operations / stops of the compressors 2A to 2C can be suppressed even when the compressors 2A to 2C are operated in an auxiliary manner.

また、複数の圧縮機２Ａ〜２Ｃと複数の吸着槽１０Ａ〜１０Ｃとを同数で構成したため、制御が容易となり、またいずれの圧縮機が運転状態にあるかを見ることでいずれの吸着槽１０で吸着工程が行われているかが判断可能となる。 In addition, since the plurality of compressors 2A to 2C and the plurality of adsorption tanks 10A to 10C are configured in the same number, the control is facilitated, and in which adsorption tank 10 by checking which compressor is in an operating state. It is possible to determine whether the adsorption process is performed.

なお、圧縮機２Ａ〜２Ｃの空気発生量と１本の吸着槽１０Ａ〜１０Ｃの容量とによって、吸着工程の時間が決まり、吸着工程中に停止する各圧縮機２Ａ〜２Ｃの運転時間も決まることになる。また、吸着槽の数と圧縮機の数とが異なる場合は、圧縮機の運転パターンを異ならせることになる。例えば、３台の圧縮機２Ａ〜２Ｃに対して２本の吸着槽１０Ａ，１０Ｂを用いる場合には、図２に示す吸着槽１０Ｃの時点ｔａ９〜ｔａ１２の吸着工程が吸着槽１０Ａの吸着工程となり、図２に示すその後の吸着槽１０Ａの時点ｔａ１３〜ｔａ１６の吸着工程が吸着槽１０Ｂの吸着工程となる。また例えば、３台の圧縮機２Ａ〜２Ｃに対して４本の吸着槽１０Ａ〜１０Ｄを用いる場合には、図２に示す吸着槽１０Ｃの吸着工程の後の吸着槽１０Ａの時点ｔａ１３〜ｔａ１６の吸着工程が吸着槽１０Ｄの吸着工程となる。 In addition, the time of an adsorption | suction process is decided by the air generation amount of compressor 2A-2C and the capacity | capacitance of one adsorption tank 10A-10C, and the operation time of each compressor 2A-2C stopped in an adsorption | suction process is also decided. become. Moreover, when the number of adsorption tanks and the number of compressors differ, the operation pattern of a compressor will differ. For example, when two adsorption tanks 10A and 10B are used for three compressors 2A to 2C, the adsorption process at time points ta9 to ta12 of the adsorption tank 10C shown in FIG. 2 becomes the adsorption process of the adsorption tank 10A. The subsequent adsorption process at time points ta13 to ta16 of the adsorption tank 10A shown in FIG. 2 is the adsorption process of the adsorption tank 10B. For example, when four adsorption tanks 10A to 10D are used for the three compressors 2A to 2C, the time points ta13 to ta16 of the adsorption tank 10A after the adsorption process of the adsorption tank 10C shown in FIG. The adsorption process is the adsorption process of the adsorption tank 10D.

また、例えば、図４に示すように、２台の圧縮機２Ａ，２Ｂに対して２本の吸着槽１０Ａ，１０Ｂを用いる場合には、図５のタイミングチャートに示すように、吸着槽１０Ａの吸着工程において、その開始時点ｔｂ１で吸着槽１０Ａ用の供給開閉弁８Ａのみを開き圧縮機２Ａの運転を開始することになる。このとき、圧縮機２Ｂはｔｂ１以前からの運転を継続している。つまり、圧縮機２Ｂは吸着槽１０Ｂの吸着工程開始時点から所定の連続運転時間ＴＹ３だけ運転を継続することになり、これが吸着槽１０Ａの吸着工程の開始時点ｔｂ１でも継続している。 For example, as shown in FIG. 4, when two adsorption tanks 10A and 10B are used for two compressors 2A and 2B, as shown in the timing chart of FIG. In the adsorption process, only the supply opening / closing valve 8A for the adsorption tank 10A is opened at the start time tb1, and the operation of the compressor 2A is started. At this time, the compressor 2B continues the operation from before tb1. That is, the compressor 2B continues to operate for a predetermined continuous operation time TY3 from the start of the adsorption process of the adsorption tank 10B, and this continues even at the start time tb1 of the adsorption process of the adsorption tank 10A.

そして、時点ｔｂ２において、吸着槽１０Ｂの吸着工程開始時点で開始された圧縮機２Ｂの所定の連続運転時間ＴＹ３の運転が終了する。そして、吸着槽１０Ａの吸着工程の開始時点ｔｂ１から吸着時間ＴＸ２が経過した時点ｔｂ３において、吸着槽１０Ａの吸着工程を終了し、制御部２０は、供給開閉弁８Ａを閉じ吸着槽１０Ａ，１０Ｂ間に設けられた連通開閉弁１２を開いて吸着槽１０Ａと吸着槽１０Ｂとを連通させる均圧工程を開始する。そして、均圧工程を行う所定の均圧時間ＴＺ２が経過した時点ｔｂ４において、開閉弁１２を閉じて次の吸着槽１０Ｂの吸着工程を開始する。 At time tb2, the operation of the compressor 2B for the predetermined continuous operation time TY3 started at the time of starting the adsorption process of the adsorption tank 10B is completed. Then, at the time tb3 when the adsorption time TX2 has elapsed from the start time tb1 of the adsorption process of the adsorption tank 10A, the adsorption process of the adsorption tank 10A is finished, and the control unit 20 closes the supply opening / closing valve 8A and between the adsorption tanks 10A and 10B. The pressure equalization process which opens the communication on-off valve 12 provided in the above and makes the adsorption tank 10A and the adsorption tank 10B communicate with each other is started. Then, at a time point tb4 when a predetermined pressure equalizing time TZ2 for performing the pressure equalizing process has elapsed, the opening / closing valve 12 is closed and the adsorbing process of the next adsorption tank 10B is started.

つまり、吸着槽１０Ｂの吸着工程において、その開始時点ｔｂ４で吸着槽１０Ｂ用の供給開閉弁２Ｂのみを開いた状態として圧縮機２Ｂの運転を開始することになる。このとき、圧縮機２Ａはｔｂ４以前の時点ｔｂ１からの運転を継続している。つまり、圧縮機２Ａは吸着槽１０Ａの吸着工程開始時点ｔｂ１から所定の連続運転時間ＴＹ３だけ運転を継続することになり、これが吸着槽１０Ｂの吸着工程の開始時点ｔｂ４でも継続している。 That is, in the adsorption process of the adsorption tank 10B, the operation of the compressor 2B is started with only the supply opening / closing valve 2B for the adsorption tank 10B opened at the start time tb4. At this time, the compressor 2A continues operation from the time point tb1 before tb4. That is, the compressor 2A continues to operate for a predetermined continuous operation time TY3 from the adsorption process start time tb1 of the adsorption tank 10A, and this continues at the adsorption process start time tb4 of the adsorption tank 10B.

そして、時点ｔｂ５において、吸着槽１０Ａの吸着工程開始時点ｔｂ１で開始された圧縮機２Ａの所定の連続運転時間ＴＹ３の運転が終了する。そして、吸着槽１０Ｂの吸着工程の開始時点ｔｂ４から吸着時間ＴＸ２が経過した時点ｔｂ６において、吸着槽１０Ｂの吸着工程を終了し、制御部２０は、供給開閉弁８Ｂを閉じ連通開閉弁１２を開いて吸着槽１０Ａと吸着槽１０Ｂとを連通させる均圧工程を開始する。そして、均圧工程を行う所定の均圧時間ＴＺ２が経過した時点ｔｂ７において、連通開閉弁１２を閉じて次の吸着槽１０Ａの吸着工程を開始する。 At time tb5, the operation of the compressor 2A for the predetermined continuous operation time TY3 started at the adsorption process start time tb1 of the adsorption tank 10A is completed. Then, at the time tb6 when the adsorption time TX2 has elapsed from the start time tb4 of the adsorption process of the adsorption tank 10B, the adsorption process of the adsorption tank 10B is finished, and the control unit 20 closes the supply on-off valve 8B and opens the communication on-off valve 12. Then, a pressure equalization process for communicating the adsorption tank 10A and the adsorption tank 10B is started. Then, at the time tb7 when a predetermined pressure equalizing time TZ2 for performing the pressure equalizing process has elapsed, the communication on-off valve 12 is closed and the adsorbing process for the next adsorption tank 10A is started.

つまり、吸着槽１０Ａの吸着工程において、その開始時点ｔｂ７で吸着槽１０Ａ用の供給開閉弁８Ａのみを開いた状態とし圧縮機２Ａの運転を開始することになる。このとき、圧縮機２Ｂはｔｂ７以前の時点ｔｂ４からの運転を継続している。つまり、圧縮機２Ｂは吸着槽１０Ｂの吸着工程開始時点ｔｂ４から所定の連続運転時間ＴＹ３だけ運転を継続することになり、これが吸着槽１０Ａの吸着工程の開始時点ｔｂ７でも継続している。 That is, in the adsorption process of the adsorption tank 10A, only the supply opening / closing valve 8A for the adsorption tank 10A is opened at the start time tb7, and the operation of the compressor 2A is started. At this time, the compressor 2B continues the operation from the time tb4 before tb7. That is, the compressor 2B continues to operate for a predetermined continuous operation time TY3 from the adsorption process start time tb4 of the adsorption tank 10B, and this continues at the adsorption process start time tb7 of the adsorption tank 10A.

そして、時点ｔｂ８において、吸着槽１０Ｂの吸着工程開始時点ｔｂ４で開始された圧縮機２Ｂの所定の連続運転時間ＴＹ３の運転が終了する。そして、吸着槽１０Ａの吸着工程の開始時点ｔｂ７から吸着時間ＴＸ２が経過した時点ｔｂ９において、吸着槽１０Ａの吸着工程を終了し、制御部２０は、供給開閉弁８Ａを閉じ連通開閉弁１２を開いて吸着槽１０Ａと吸着槽１０Ｂとを連通させる均圧工程を開始する。そして、均圧工程を行う所定の均圧時間ＴＺ２が経過した時点ｔｂ１０において、連通開閉弁１２を閉じて次の吸着槽１０Ｂの吸着工程を開始する。 At time tb8, the operation of the compressor 2B for the predetermined continuous operation time TY3 started at the adsorption process start time tb4 of the adsorption tank 10B is completed. Then, at the time tb9 when the adsorption time TX2 has elapsed from the start time tb7 of the adsorption process of the adsorption tank 10A, the adsorption process of the adsorption tank 10A is finished, and the control unit 20 closes the supply on-off valve 8A and opens the communication on-off valve 12. Then, a pressure equalization process for communicating the adsorption tank 10A and the adsorption tank 10B is started. Then, at a time point tb10 when a predetermined pressure equalizing time TZ2 for performing the pressure equalizing process has elapsed, the communication on-off valve 12 is closed and the adsorption process of the next adsorption tank 10B is started.

つまり、吸着槽１０Ｂの吸着工程において、その開始時点ｔｂ１０で吸着槽１０Ｂ用の供給開閉弁８Ｂのみを開いた状態とし圧縮機２Ｂの運転を開始することになる。このとき、圧縮機２Ａはｔｂ１０以前の時点ｔｂ７からの運転を継続している。つまり、圧縮機２Ａは吸着槽１０Ａの吸着工程開始時点ｔｂ７から所定の連続運転時間ＴＹ３だけ運転を継続することになり、これが吸着槽１０Ｂの吸着工程の開始時点ｔｂ１０でも継続している。 That is, in the adsorption process of the adsorption tank 10B, at the start time tb10, only the supply opening / closing valve 8B for the adsorption tank 10B is opened, and the operation of the compressor 2B is started. At this time, the compressor 2A continues operation from the time point tb7 before tb10. That is, the compressor 2A continues to operate for a predetermined continuous operation time TY3 from the adsorption process start time tb7 of the adsorption tank 10A, and this continues even at the adsorption process start time tb10 of the adsorption tank 10B.

そして、時点ｔｂ１１において、吸着槽１０Ａの吸着工程開始時点ｔｂ７で開始された圧縮機２Ａの所定の連続運転時間ＴＹ３の運転が終了する。そして、吸着槽１０Ｂの吸着工程の開始時点ｔｂ１０から吸着時間ＴＸ２が経過した時点ｔｂ１２において、吸着槽１０Ｂの吸着工程を終了し、制御部２０は、供給開閉弁８Ｂを閉じ連通開閉弁１２を開いて吸着槽１０Ａと吸着槽１０Ｂとを連通させる均圧工程を開始する。そして、均圧工程を行う所定の均圧時間ＴＺ２が経過した時点ｔｂ１３において、連通開閉弁１２を閉じて次の吸着槽１０Ａの吸着工程を上記と同様に開始する。
以上のパターンを繰り返すのである。 At time tb11, the operation of the compressor 2A for the predetermined continuous operation time TY3 started at the adsorption process start time tb7 of the adsorption tank 10A is completed. Then, at the time tb12 when the adsorption time TX2 has elapsed from the start time tb10 of the adsorption process of the adsorption tank 10B, the adsorption process of the adsorption tank 10B is finished, and the control unit 20 closes the supply on-off valve 8B and opens the communication on-off valve 12. Then, a pressure equalization process for communicating the adsorption tank 10A and the adsorption tank 10B is started. Then, at the time tb13 when a predetermined pressure equalizing time TZ2 for performing the pressure equalizing process has elapsed, the communication on-off valve 12 is closed and the adsorbing process of the next adsorption tank 10A is started in the same manner as described above.
The above pattern is repeated.

例えば、２台の圧縮機２Ａ，２Ｂに対して３本の吸着槽１０Ａ〜１０Ｃを用いる場合には、図５に示す吸着槽１０Ａの時点ｔｂ７〜ｔｂ９の吸着工程が吸着槽１０Ｃの吸着工程となり、その後の吸着槽１０Ｂの時点ｔｂ１０〜ｔｂ１２の吸着工程が吸着槽１０Ａの吸着工程となる。また例えば、２台の圧縮機２Ａ，２Ｂに対して４本の吸着槽１０Ａ〜Ｄを用いる場合には、図５に示す吸着槽１０Ｂの吸着工程の後の吸着槽１０Ａの時点ｔｂ７〜ｔｂ９の吸着工程が吸着槽１０Ｃの吸着工程となり、その後の吸着槽１０Ｂの時点ｔｂ１０〜ｔｂ１２の吸着工程が吸着槽１０Ｄの吸着工程となる。 For example, when three adsorption tanks 10A to 10C are used for the two compressors 2A and 2B, the adsorption process at the time tb7 to tb9 of the adsorption tank 10A shown in FIG. 5 becomes the adsorption process of the adsorption tank 10C. The subsequent adsorption process at the time tb10 to tb12 of the adsorption tank 10B is the adsorption process of the adsorption tank 10A. For example, when four adsorption tanks 10A to 10D are used for the two compressors 2A and 2B, the time points tb7 to tb9 of the adsorption tank 10A after the adsorption process of the adsorption tank 10B shown in FIG. The adsorption process becomes the adsorption process of the adsorption tank 10C, and the subsequent adsorption process at the time tb10 to tb12 of the adsorption tank 10B becomes the adsorption process of the adsorption tank 10D.

本発明の一実施形態の気体分離装置の全体構成を示すブロック図である。It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of the gas separation apparatus of one Embodiment of this invention. 本発明の一実施形態の気体分離装置の制御内容を示すタイミングチャートである。It is a timing chart which shows the contents of control of the gas separation device of one embodiment of the present invention. 本発明の一実施形態の気体分離装置の効果を説明するためのタイミングチャートである。It is a timing chart for demonstrating the effect of the gas separation apparatus of one Embodiment of this invention. 本発明の一実施形態の気体分離装置の変形例の全体構成を示すブロック図である。It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of the modification of the gas separation apparatus of one Embodiment of this invention. 本発明の一実施形態の気体分離装置の変形例の制御内容を示すタイミングチャートである。It is a timing chart which shows the control contents of the modification of the gas separation device of one embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

１気体分離装置
２Ａ〜２Ｃ圧縮機
１０Ａ〜１０Ｃ吸着槽
２０制御部（制御手段） DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Gas separation apparatus 2A-2C Compressor 10A-10C Adsorption tank 20 Control part (control means)

Claims

A plurality of compressors that compress and discharge air;
An air tank for storing compressed air discharged from the plurality of compressors;
A plurality of adsorption tanks that sequentially perform an adsorption process of separating one gas of compressed air sent from the air tank filled with an adsorbent and generating another gas as a product gas;
In a gas separation device having a control means for controlling the operation of the plurality of compressors,
The control means causes the plurality of adsorption tanks to sequentially perform the adsorption process, and at that time, during the adsorption process of one adsorption tank, operates one compressor of the plurality of compressors for the longest time. The other compressor is controlled to stop or run for a shorter time than the one compressor, and during the adsorption process of the next adsorption tank, one of the other compressors is operated for the longest time, The gas separation device is controlled so that the one compressor is stopped or operated for a shorter time than one of the other compressors.

2. The gas separation according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the one compressor to continuously operate until a part of time after the start of the adsorption step of the next adsorption tank. apparatus.

The gas separation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the plurality of compressors and the plurality of adsorption tanks are configured in the same number.