JP2514133Y2 - Membrane air dryer controller and sterilizer in compressor - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the device]

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a disinfection device in a compressor, and more specifically, it can remove various bacteria as much as possible while removing water contained in compressed air produced by the compressor. The present invention relates to an improved device and a control device for a membrane air dryer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional technique, Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 3-3148
There is an invention disclosed in No. 5. According to the invention, a freezing air dryer for removing water contained in compressed air is arranged upstream of a sterilizer using a membrane filter interposed in a discharge pipe as a filtering element, and is removed downstream by a freezing air dryer. Disinfection filter device with a drain trap that can remove moisture that could not be removed to the outside, and a drain trap that can remove moisture that could not be removed with the automatic drain trap of the dust filter device to the outside downstream By installing a freezer, a compressed air with gradually removed water is passed through a membrane filter in the order of a refrigeration type air dryer, a drain trap of a dust removal filter, and a drain trap of a sterilizer to remove bacteria. On the upstream side, the compressed air is first dehumidified by the air dryer, and the drain in the compressed air is separated there. In the next dust removing filter, the drain is also dehumidified by the drain trap along with the dust removal.

When flowing into the sterilizer, the compressed air is once discharged to the outer area of the membrane filter, and the water is discharged by the drain trap of the sterilizer, so that water particles adhere to the membrane filter as much as possible. Therefore, the membrane filter is prevented from being clogged and water particles are prevented from adhering to the membrane filter as much as possible, so that a growth environment of bacteria can be prevented from being formed therein. Therefore, the disinfection effect is good. In particular, since the drain reservoir is connected to the outlet through the membrane filter, bacteria that have grown in the drain do not accidentally escape from the outlet to the discharge destination. And
This drain water is automatically removed by an automatic drain trap. In this way, the water content in the compressed air is gradually removed, so that the sterilization effect is improved.

[0004]

In the above conventional example, a refrigerating air dryer is used for dehumidifying compressed air. According to this refrigeration air dryer, (1) When the temperature and humidity of the compressed air flowing into the refrigeration air dryer are high and the inflow amount is large, the humidity of the compressed air around the membrane filter of the sterilizer becomes high and the membrane filter gets wet. It becomes a state in which the fungus can partially grow. That is, although it is effective under normal conditions, it allows the growth of bacteria depending on the conditions. This is a compressed air pressure of 7 kg / cm in a refrigeration air dryer.
^This is because the dew point temperature of ² is relatively high at -17 ° C. (2) The refrigeration type air dryer requires a drain discharge means, and the discharged drain needs to be processed by the oil-water separation device and then discharged, which complicates the device. (3) In the refrigeration type air dryer, electric wiring is necessary because a compressor is used to pressurize the refrigerant. (4) Freon (trade name) used as a refrigerant is not preferable because it destroys the ozone layer in the atmosphere. Also, although alternative CFCs have a low degree of depleting the ozone layer, their use is not guaranteed in the future. (5) Since the dust removal filter and the sterilizer are in a state in which drainage is always generated, a drain treatment means is required like the refrigeration type air dryer.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems of the conventional example, and a sterilization apparatus for a compressor that does not always use a refrigerant, in which dry compressed air is always supplied to the sterilizer, and drain processing means and electric equipment are not necessarily required. To do.

Therefore , in the present invention, a membrane air dryer is used. However, if the membrane air dryer also misadjusts the purge air flow rate, compressed air from which moisture has not been sufficiently removed is discharged, and drain is generated in the equipment downstream thereof. If this downstream device is a sterilizer, for example,
There is a risk of deteriorating the disinfection condition of the disinfectant.

An object of the present invention is to provide a control device for a membrane air dryer which does not generate drainage in a device disposed downstream of the membrane air dryer in which drainage is not preferable.

[0008]

The first invention of the present invention is a sterilization apparatus in a compressor, wherein a sterilizer 4 having a membrane filter 19 is arranged in a compressed air discharge pipe 1 of the compressor. A dust remover or an oil remover 5 for removing dust or oil in the compressed air is provided upstream of the sterilizer 4 with respect to the flow of the compressed air in the discharge pipe 1, and is included in the compressed air downstream thereof. A membrane air dryer 2 for removing water is arranged, and the sterilizer 4 is provided downstream thereof.
Compressed air outlet 24b of membrane air dryer and water vapor
A compressed air passage communicating with the air chamber 28 is provided to
Actuator operated purge air flow rate control valve 3 in air passage
3 is provided, and the sterilizer 4 is provided with a drain sensor 44,
The sensor 44 detects the occurrence of drain,
A control device 45 for controlling the air flow rate adjusting valve 33 is provided.
It is a sterilization device in a compressor characterized by the above.

The second aspect of the present invention is compression of a compressor.
A membrane filter 19 is provided in the air discharge pipe 1.
In the sterilization device in the compressor with the sterilizer 4
In the compressed air upstream of the sterilizer 4 of the discharge pipe 1.
The dust remover or and the oil remover 5 for removing the dust or oil of
To remove the water contained in the compressed air downstream.
A membrane air dryer 2 is installed to remove dust
A filter device 3 is provided, and the sterilizer 4 is provided downstream of the filter device 3.
And the compressed air outlet 24b of the membrane air dryer
A compressed air passage communicating with the water vapor chamber 28 is provided so that the pressure
Actuator operated purge air flow rate adjustment in compressed air passage
A valve 33 is provided, and a filter 33 for dust removal or a sterilizer 4 is installed.
A drain sensor 44 is provided, and the drain sensor 44
The purge air flow rate adjusting valve 33 is controlled by the signal that detects the raw condition.
A sterilization device in a compressor, which is provided with a control device 45 .

A third aspect of the present invention is a membrane air dryer.
In the discharge pipe 1 connected to the dry compressed air outlet of the ear 2.
Drain that detects the drain generated in the inserted device
Detects humidity in compressed air in a sensor or the device
Equipped with a humidity sensor, compressed air from a membrane air dryer
A compressed air passage that connects the outflow port 24b and the steam chamber 28 is formed.
An actuator-operated part is installed in this compressed air passage.
The air flow rate adjusting valve 33 is provided, and the signal from the sensor is used.
Purge air flow rate adjustment valve 33 of the membrane air dryer 2
A control device for a membrane air dryer, characterized in that a control device for controlling the above is provided .

[0011]

[0012]

[0013]

[0014]

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[Example] First, a dehumidifying means using no refrigerant
The structure and operation of two types of pneumatic circuits including
Then, the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a flow sheet of the first pneumatic circuit example 1. Dust removing and / or oil removing means is provided in the compressed air discharge pipe 1. A dust removing filter is arranged as the dust removing means, and an oil separator is arranged as the oil removing means. In this example, a dust removing and oil removing filter unit 5 for removing dust and oil with one filter unit is provided. The dust removing and oil removing filter unit 5 is provided upstream of the sterilizing unit 4 provided in the discharge pipe 1 with respect to the flow of the compressed air in the discharge pipe 1, and immediately downstream of the dust removing and oil removing filter unit 5. A membrane air dryer 2 is interposed in the discharge pipe 1.

The compressed air is discharged from an air compressor (not shown), passes through a dust removing and oil removing filter unit 5, a membrane air dryer 2 and a sterilizer 4, and is directed to a discharge end (not shown).

The sterilizer 4 includes a body 16 and the body 1.
6, a housing 17 detachably attached to the lower part of the housing 6, and a filter support 18 having a cylindrical porous plate inside the housing 17 are continuously provided below the body 16, and the filter support 18 has a cylindrical shape around the filter support 18. The membrane filter 19 is detachably attached, and the compressed air inlet 1 is connected to the body 16 outside the membrane filter 19 without facing the cylindrical membrane filter 19.
6a is formed, and an outlet 16b connected to the inside of the filter support 18 is formed. The means for making the cylindrical membrane filter 19 attachable / detachable to / from the filter support 18 is a planting bolt 2 embedded in the body 16.
1, a seat plate 22 that contacts the lower end of the filter support 18 from below, and a nut 23 screwed into the planting bolt 21 via the seat plate 22.

As the membrane filter 19, there is usually about 0.1 micrometer (μm) to 5 micrometer (μm), but it is possible to remove general bacteria, fungi such as mold and yeast. 0.1 (μm) to
The thing of about 0.4 (micrometer) is used. The material of this membrane filter is regenerated cellulose, nitrocellulose, or the like.

As the dust removing and oil removing filter unit 5, a body 6 and a housing 8 detachably mounted below the body 6, and a filter support 11 having a cylindrical porous plate inside the housing 8 are provided below the body 6. A cylindrical dust removal and oil removal filter 7 is removably mounted around the filter support 11 and is connected to the body 6. The dust removal and oil removal filter 7 does not face the body 6 and does not face the dust removal and oil removal filter 7. An inlet 6a for compressed air is formed so as to connect to the outer region of the filter, and an outlet 6b is formed for connecting to the inside of the filter support 11. The means for detaching the dust removing and oil removing filter 7 of the filter element with respect to the filter support body 11 includes a planting bolt 12 implanted in the body 6 and a seat plate 13 that abuts the lower end of the filter support body 11 from below. And seat plate 13
It is the nut 14 screwed into the planting bolt 12 via. A stop valve 34 and a drain discharge valve 9 are provided on the bottom of the housing 8.
It is designed to communicate with the outside through.

Since the downstream membrane air dryer 2 uses the hollow fiber 25 as the dust removal and oil removal filter 7 used in the dust removal and oil removal filter unit 5, the dust removal and oil removal filter 7 allows bacteria to pass therethrough. Is selected to remove harmful dust in the hollow fiber 25 in the compressed air, and since the hole diameter of the hollow fiber 25 is 300μ, dust larger than 300μ that immediately closes the hole of the hollow fiber 25 is completely removed. In addition, a filter element that collects as much dust as possible so that it does not adhere to the hollow fiber membrane is required. At the same time, in terms of degreasing, the oil adhesion reduces the performance of the hollow fiber 25 and increases the durability. Since it is short, it is better to remove oil almost completely. Therefore, as already mentioned, the dust removal and oil removal filter unit 5 may be provided with one or more dust removal filter units and one or more oil removal filter units in series, and as the oil removal filter unit, an oil adsorbent is used as a filter element. May be used.

The membrane air dryer 2 is a casing 2
4, a large number of hollow fibers 25 are arranged, a dispersion chamber 26 and a collecting chamber 27 are formed above and below the casing 24, and a water vapor chamber 28 is formed between the dispersion chamber 26 and the collecting chamber 27. 29 and 31 are provided, both ends of the hollow fiber 25 are supported by the partition plates 29 and 31, and both ends of the hollow fiber 25 are seen in the dispersion chamber 26 and the collecting chamber 27. The casing 24 has a compressed air inlet 24 communicating with the dispersion chamber 26 and the outside.
a, dry compressed air outlet 24 communicating with the collecting chamber 27 and the outside
b, the purge air inlet 24 without passing through the water vapor chamber 28 and the outside
c, the exhaust port 24d is provided. The purge air inflow port 24c and the exhaust port 24d are provided near the partition plates 31 and 29 of the casing 24 so as to be separated from the water vapor chamber 28.

A compressed air inlet 24a to the dispersion chamber 26
The outlet 6b of the dust removing and oil removing filter 5 is connected by the discharge pipe 1, and the dry compressed air outlet 2 from the collecting chamber 27 is connected.
4b communicates with the inflow port 16a of the sterilizer 4 through the discharge pipe 1,
Dry compressed air outlet 24b of membrane air dryer 2
The purge air pipe 32 branched from the middle of the discharge pipe 1 between the inlet 16a of the sterilizer 4 and the sterilizer 4 is a purge air flow rate adjusting valve 33.
Is connected to the purge air inflow port 24c of the water vapor chamber 28 via.

The hollow fiber 25 has a hole diameter of 3 as shown in FIG.
It has a cylindrical shape of about 00μ. The peripheral wall is a polyimide resin separation membrane, and has a property that water vapor is very easily permeated and air is hardly permeated. With this hollow fiber 25, it is possible to easily obtain dry compressed air having a low dew point as low as the atmospheric pressure dew point of −40 ° C., for example. The action of the hollow fiber 25 is indicated by arrow A in FIG.
As shown in FIG.
When the outside of the hollow fiber 25 is kept at a low pressure through compressed air (wet) A containing dry air D (circle indicates nitrogen, flat circle indicates oxygen), only the water vapor S is externalized through the hollow fiber membrane. The dry compressed air D only flows out from the other end of the hollow fiber 25.

Since the hollow fiber 25 is thin as described above,
1000 to 15 to flow compressed air of 00 Nl / min
00 are required.

The operation of the above configuration will be described. The compressed air sent from the air compressor (not shown) through the discharge pipe 1 reaches the dust removing and oil removing filter unit 5, and the inflow port 6
From a, it enters the space outside the dust removal and oil removal filter 7 inside the housing 8. The drain condensed here is collected at the bottom of the housing 8 and discharged through the stop valve 34 by the drain discharge valve 9. The compressed air passes through the dust removing and oil removing filter 7 from the outside to the inside. At that time, dust and oil in the compressed air are removed. The compressed air that has flown into the inside of the dust removal and oil removal filter 7 advances from the outlet 6b to the membrane air dryer 2, enters the dispersion chamber 26 through the compressed air inlet 24a, is dispersed and enters the center hole of the hollow fiber 25, and Only water vapor S in the compressed air is extracted into the water vapor chamber 28 while proceeding from the bottom to the top, becomes dry compressed air D, flows out into the collecting chamber 27, joins in the collecting chamber 27, and is discharged from the dry compressed air outlet 24b. Go to the sterilizer 4 through the pipe 1. Membrane air dryer 2 and sterilizer 4
A part of the dry compressed air D is sent to the water vapor chamber 28 through the purge air pipe 32 and the purge air inlet 24c from the middle of the discharge pipe 1 in between. At that time, the purge air flow rate is adjusted by the purge air flow rate adjusting valve 33 provided in the middle of the purge air pipe 32. The dry compressed air D flowing into the water vapor chamber 28 mixes with the water vapor S to reduce the dryness and is decompressed and is diffused into the atmosphere through the exhaust port 24d.
What is released into the atmosphere is water vapor that contains almost nothing except water, and since it does not generate drainage, it is released as it is.

The dry compressed air D discharged from the membrane air dryer 2 has, for example, a pressure of 7 kg / cm ² and an atmospheric pressure dew point of −40 ° C. The compressed air that has proceeded from the membrane air dryer 2 to the sterilizer 4 is supplied to the housing 17 through the inflow port 16a.
Bacteria except viruses enter the outside of the membrane filter 19 inside, pass through the membrane filter 19 from the outside to the inside, and pass through the membrane filter 19 to remove bacteria and the like, and are supplied from the outlet 16b to a medical device or a food manufacturing machine. It

Since the compressed air supplied to the sterilizer 4 has a low dew point and a high degree of dryness, drainage does not occur under normal use. However, if the purge air flow rate adjusting valve 33 is throttled below the required purge air flow rate, the water vapor extraction capability of the hollow fiber 25 will be reduced, water in the compressed air that has flowed in cannot be sufficiently removed, and dry air will flow into the collecting chamber 27. The compressed air that is relatively moist will flow, and this is the sterilizer 4.
It is conceivable that a drain will be generated when flowing into the housing 17, and the drain will be accumulated at the bottom of the housing 17. Therefore, the drain discharge valve 36 may be passed through the stop valve 35 to the bottom of the housing 17. However, since the drain is temporarily generated in a small amount, it is not necessary to additionally install a drain processing device for the drain discharged from the drain discharge valve 36.

FIG. 1 is a flow sheet of a pneumatic circuit example 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Before the pneumatic circuit example 1 and in the different sequences of pre-pneumatic circuit example 1 and a membrane air dryer 2 sterilization device 4
Not is to a dust filter unit 3 to the discharge pipe 1 are interposed, other configurations are the same as before the pneumatic circuit example 1 is between the. In this pneumatic circuit example 2, the particle size of the dust removed by the dust removing and oil removing filter unit 5 is 300 μ or less, but the dust removing filter unit 3 does not remove bacteria but has a particle size as small as possible. Is to remove. The dust removing filter device 3 has a body 37, a cylindrical dust removing filter 38 provided as a filtering element, and a housing 39, and their respective relationships are similar to those of the dust removing and oil removing filter device 5. The inlet 37a provided in the body 37 communicates with the dry compressed air outlet 24b of the membrane air dryer 2 through the discharge pipe 1, and the outlet 37b also communicates through the discharge pipe 1 with the inlet 16a of the sterilizer 4. .

In this pneumatic circuit example 2 , the dust in the compressed air flowing in from the membrane air dryer 2 through the inflow port 37a is removed by the dust removing filter 38, and the dust other than bacteria is removed as much as possible to remove the bacteria. Sent to.

In this pneumatic circuit example 2 as well, normally, drainage is not seen, but due to a malfunction in adjusting the purge air amount, etc., the bottom of the housing 39 is prepared in case the compressed air produces drainage. A stop valve 41 and a drain discharge valve 42 may be provided in series.

Next, the main part of the present invention will be described. Above
In the present invention, the purge air flow rate adjusting valve 33 is a motor-operated valve or a servo control valve type flow rate adjusting valve, and in FIG. 1, the drain generated in the housing 17 of the sterilizer 4 is detected as soon as possible. A drain sensor 44 is provided at a possible position, for example, in front of the stop valve 35, and when the drain sensor 44 detects the occurrence of drain, a signal thereof is sent to the control device 45 and the control device 4
Reference numeral 5 indicates that the opening degree of the purge air flow rate adjusting valve 33 is increased to increase the purge air flow rate to increase the water removal capacity of the membrane air dryer 2. In Matazu 3, drain sensors 44 for Likewise sterilization unit 4 and FIG. 1, may be a control device 45 is provided, or the provided drain sensor 44 to dust removal filter unit 3 as shown in FIG. 3, A signal for detecting the drain by the drain sensor 44 is sent to the control device 45, and the control device 45 increases the opening degree of the purge air flow rate adjusting valve 33 to increase the purge air flow rate, and the moisture removing capability of the membrane air dryer 2 is increased. May be increased.

In the above description, a humidity sensor may be provided instead of the drain sensor. When the humidity sensor is provided, the humidity of the compressed air sent to the sterilizer or the filter for dust removal is grasped and before the drain is generated. The purge air flow rate can be controlled to increase the moisture removal capacity of the membrane air dryer.

According to the present invention extracted from this embodiment, the device for using the dry compressed air, which is installed in the discharge pipe 1 connected to the outlet 24b for the dry compressed air of the membrane air dryer 2, is the dust removing filter device 3, Obviously, it is not limited to the bacterium 4. Therefore, when a humidity sensor is provided in a device interposed in the discharge pipe 1 connected to the dry compressed air outlet 24b of the membrane air dryer 2 and the humidity detected by the humidity sensor is higher than the humidity set by the controller 45. The humidity-constant control can be performed by increasing the opening degree of the purge air flow rate adjusting valve 33 and decreasing the opening degree when it is small.

[0036]

[0037]

[0038]

[0039]

[0040]

[0041]

The first invention of the effect of the invention The present invention is a drain sensor provided in disinfecting device, it is so arranged to control the purge air flow control valve with the signal of the drain sensor, membrane air dryer discharge air required dry compression Can be kept in air condition.

In the second aspect of the present invention, since the drain sensor is provided in the sterilizer or the filter for dust removal, and the purge air flow rate adjusting valve is controlled by the signal of the drain sensor, the discharge air of the membrane air dryer is required. It can be kept in a dry and compressed air state.

A third aspect of the present invention is provided with a drain sensor for detecting a drain generated in a device installed in a discharge pipe connected to an outlet of dry compressed air of a membrane air dryer, or a humidity sensor for detecting humidity. Since a control device was installed to control the purge air flow rate adjustment valve of the membrane air dryer, the purge air flow rate of the membrane air dryer changes the moisture removal capacity of the membrane air dryer, and the drainage to the equipment interposed in the discharge pipe is It is possible to supply compressed air that does not generate much moisture or compressed air that has a humidity lower than a certain humidity. It is also possible to obtain dry compressed air having a constant humidity.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flow sheet of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the action of a hollow fiber.

FIG. 3 is a flow sheet of another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Discharge pipe 2 Membrane air dryer 3 Dust removal filter device 4 Sterilizer 5 Dust removal and oil removal filter device 19 Membrane filter 25 Hollow fiber 26 Dispersion chamber 27 Assembly chamber 28 Water vapor chamber 29, 31 Partition plate 32 Purge air pipe 33 Purge air flow rate Regulating valve

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Internal reference number FI technical display location B01D 63/06 B01D 63/06 F04B 39/00 F04B 39/00 Z

Claims (3)

(57) [Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A sterilizing apparatus in a compressor, wherein a sterilizer 4 having a membrane filter 19 is arranged in a compressed air discharge pipe 1 of a compressor, and a compressed air flow in the discharge pipe 1 is removed. Dust remover or and oil remover 5 for removing dust or oil in compressed air upstream from the fungus device 4
And a membrane air dryer 2 for removing water contained in the compressed air is disposed downstream thereof, and the sterilizer 4 is provided downstream thereof, and the compressed air flow of the membrane air dryer is provided.
A compressed air passage connecting the outlet 24b and the steam chamber 28 is provided.
In this compressed air passage, the actuator operated purge
An air flow rate adjusting valve 33 is provided, and a drain sensor is attached to the sterilizer 4.
44, the drain sensor 44 detects the occurrence of drain.
Control for controlling the purge air flow rate adjusting valve 33 by the signal
A disinfection device for a compressor, characterized in that a device 45 is provided . 2. A compressed air discharge pipe 1 of a compressor.
The sterilizer 4 having the membrane filter 19 was placed in the
In the disinfection device in the compressor, the above discharge pipe
Dust or oil in the compressed air upstream from the sterilizer 4
A dust remover for removing and / or an oil remover 5 is provided, and downstream thereof,
Membrane air to remove water contained in compressed air
A liner 2 is arranged, and a dust removing filter device 3 is arranged downstream thereof.
Then, the sterilizer 4 is installed downstream thereof, and the membrane air
Communication between the compressed air outlet 24b of the liner and the steam chamber 28
A compressed air passage is installed and the compressed air passage is
Equipped with an air-operated purge air flow rate adjustment valve 33 to remove dust.
A drain sensor 44 is provided on the filter device 3 or the sterilizer 4
If the drain sensor 44 detects the occurrence of drain,
Controller 45 for controlling the purge air flow rate adjusting valve 33
A disinfection device for a compressor , characterized by being provided with . 3. A dry compressed air of a membrane air dryer 2.
The smell of the equipment installed in the discharge pipe 1 connected to the air outlet.
To a drain sensor or the device that detects the drain generated by
Equipped with a humidity sensor to detect the humidity in compressed air,
Compressed air outlet 24b of membrane air dryer and water vapor
A compressed air passage communicating with the air chamber 28 is provided to
Actuator operated purge air flow rate control valve 3 in air passage
3 is installed and the membrane air dryer is operated by the signal of the sensor.
Control device for controlling the purge air flow rate adjusting valve 33 of the ear 2
Membrane air dryer control device characterized by the provision of