JP4110210B1 - Rotary valve and pressure swing gas separator - Google Patents

Abstract

【Task】
Provided is a rotary valve for a pressure swing type gas separation device that uses a cylindrical surface as an airtight sliding surface and has a simple structure while suppressing leakage from the sliding surface.
[Solution]
The valve chamber is formed with a valve chamber having a cylindrical inner peripheral surface, and a columnar valve body that is arranged to be rotatable about one axis while closely sliding with the inner surface of the valve chamber. The air supply port, the exhaust port, the first bleed port, and the second bleed port are opened, and a recess formed in the outer surface of the cylinder of the valve body forms a gap between the valve body and the valve chamber inner wall. 1 and a second recessed portion, and the first recessed portion and the second recessed portion are hermetically separated by a sliding contact surface between a cylindrical inner peripheral surface of the valve box and a cylindrical outer peripheral surface of the valve body. The opening / closing timing of the supply port and the exhaust port for the first extraction port and the opening / closing timing of the supply port and the exhaust port for the second extraction port are the phase difference of 180 degrees of the valve body rotation. A rotary valve for a pressure swing type gas separator characterized by matching.

[Selection] Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a rotary valve for a pressure swing gas separator and a pressure swing gas separator.

  Pressure fluctuations are generated by periodically supplying raw material gas and discharging residual gas to multiple adsorption towers packed with adsorbents such as zeolite that can selectively adsorb specific gas molecules. In the pressure swing type gas separation device that adsorbs unnecessary gas components and preferentially flows out useful gas components, the opening and closing and switching mechanism for the supply and exhaust of raw material gas to each adsorption tower In general, a plurality of electromagnetic valves with electrical control are used.

  Further, without requiring complicated electrical control, each port is formed in the flat part with the flat part as a sliding surface, and supply of raw material gas to each adsorption tower and exhaust of unnecessary gas are repeated at a predetermined timing. There is a rotary valve device that achieves this. (For example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2)

In addition, a plurality of grooves or notches are formed mainly on the circumferential surface of the cylindrical or cylindrical rotary valve body surface, and a plurality of ports are formed on the inner surface of the valve box. There is a rotary valve device that achieves this. (For example, Patent Literature 3, Patent Literature 4, Patent Literature 5, Patent Literature 6)

JP 2005-83516 A JP 2003-28322 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 62-251582 JP 59-166769 A Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 58-60066 Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 48-51196

  In a gas separation device using multiple electromagnetic valves with electrical control, fine control can be performed while monitoring the gas flow rate and concentration, and the concentration and flow rate of the selected gas are sufficient. The configuration of the valve control system is complicated, and there are drawbacks in terms of high device manufacturing cost, large device size, difficult maintenance, and the like.

  The valve device according to Patent Document 1 is characterized by a structure that keeps the surface pressure applied to a flat sliding surface constant and suppresses gas leakage, but it is necessary to press the sliding surfaces facing each other with a pressing spring or the like. Yes, the structure is complicated. Wear of the sliding surface due to the spring pressing is also a problem.

  In the valve device according to Patent Document 1, the radial shape of the port shape is a straight line, and the opening degree in the port opening / closing transition process is increased to ensure the effective area of the flow path. A fillet R is formed for the convenience of manufacturing, and the radial dimension of the valve sliding surface is increased.

  The valve device according to Patent Document 2 is a method for preventing the fluid leakage by pressing the flat portion of the fan-shaped rotary valve body against the flat portion of the fixed sheet with a spring, and at the apex portion of the fan-shaped rotary valve body serving as the rotation center. Since it has a structure in which a certain rotation center portion is pressed by a spring, an imbalance occurs in the surface pressure between the fixed seat and the fan-shaped rotary valve body. This tends to cause problems such as fluid leakage. In order to prevent fluid leakage, if the surface roughness of the flat sliding surface of the fixed sheet or the fan-shaped rotary valve body is improved, there is a problem that the fixed sheet and the fan-shaped rotary valve body are fixed.

  Further, due to the problem of wear resistance of the contact sliding surface due to the spring pressing for preventing leakage, it is necessary to use an expensive ceramic material for the fixed seat and the fan-shaped rotary valve body, which is expensive. In addition, there are many components and the mechanism is complicated, resulting in problems of high cost and maintainability.

  In the valve device according to Patent Document 2, the end shape of the recessed portion of the fan-shaped rotary valve body communicating with the exhaust port has an arc shape, which is inconvenient for exhausting the residual gas component rapidly in the exhaust start process. To exhaust the residual gas components suddenly in the exhaust start process, it is expensive to form a square groove shape that is linear in the radial direction on the flat part of the ceramic material, or increase the radial dimension of the fan-shaped rotary valve body. The groove width of the recessed portion is increased. When the radial dimension of the fan-shaped rotary valve body is increased, the surface pressure of the sliding surface becomes further unbalanced, and the strength of the spring is increased to prevent gas leakage and the wear resistance of the parts is improved. Costs and defects are likely to occur.

  The valve device according to Patent Documents 1 and 2 is a spring for preventing leakage when the pressure of the fluid in the valve is changed in accordance with the specification change of the compressor or the adsorption tower used in the pressure swing type gas separation device. It is necessary to change the strength, etc., and the versatility of the valve is low, resulting in an increase in costs such as design changes, prototyping and testing, and an extended development period.

  For example, the inventions of Patent Document 3 and Patent Document 5 each have a shape and configuration that are applied to the use of the invention, and are different from the present invention, and can be applied to a pressure swing gas separation device. Impossible.

For example, the inventions of Patent Document 4 and Patent Document 6 are applied to a pressure swing type gas separation device even if the drawings and examples are not clearly understood because the arrangement of grooves and ports, the opening and closing timing, etc. are not clarified in the claims. Thus, it is impossible to conceive the arrangement of grooves and ports, the opening / closing timing, etc., in order to exhibit predetermined performance.

  FIG. 3 shows an explanation of shape designation mainly related to the valve body such as a cylindrical outer peripheral surface, a cylindrical outer end surface, an end groove arc apex angle, an end groove separation arc apex angle, a position of an end groove end shape, and the like. FIG. 4 shows an explanation of shape designation mainly related to the valve box, such as the cylindrical inner peripheral surface, the cylindrical inner end surface, and the port arc apex angle.

  In order to solve the problems, the present invention provides a rotary valve having each configuration described in 1) to 7) below and a pressure swing type gas separation device described in 8) below.

  1) The remaining gas component (hereinafter referred to as “residual gas component”) is selectively adsorbed over at least one gas component (hereinafter referred to as “selected gas component”) of the mixed gas containing two or more components. In a pressure swing type gas separation apparatus equipped with two adsorption towers (hereinafter referred to as “first adsorption tower” and “second adsorption tower”) filled with an adsorbent to be obtained, a mixed gas is pressurized and supplied to each adsorption tower Alternatively, a rotary valve used for switching a flow path for exhausting residual gas components from each adsorption tower, in which a valve box having a cylindrical inner peripheral surface is formed, and an inner surface of the valve chamber are in sliding contact with each other However, it consists of a cylindrical valve body that is rotatably arranged around one axis. The valve box has one end opened as a supply port on the inner surface of the valve chamber and is supplied with mixed gas Air supply connection port connected to the road and one end as an exhaust port on the inside of the valve chamber An exhaust connection port that opens and is connected to an exhaust passage for discharging residual gas components, and a first end that opens as a first extraction port on the cylindrical inner peripheral surface of the valve chamber and communicates with the first adsorption tower. A first extraction connection port to which the second extraction flow path is connected, and a second extraction flow path having one end opened as a second extraction port on the cylindrical inner peripheral surface of the valve chamber and communicating with the second adsorption tower. And a second bleed connection port to be connected, and a first cylinder which is a gap between the valve body and the valve chamber wall at a cylindrical outer surface of the valve body or a recess formed in the cylindrical outer surface of the valve body and the valve chamber. And the second recessed portion, the first recessed portion and the second recessed portion in the valve box, regardless of the rotation angle of the valve body, the cylindrical inner peripheral surface of the valve box and the column of the valve body When the rotation angle of the valve body is in the first angular range, the air supply port is separated by the first recessed portion when the valve body is in a hermetic separation at the sliding mating surface with the outer peripheral surface. And the first extraction port communicate with each other, and when the rotation angle of the valve body is in the position of the second angle range, the supply port and the second extraction port communicate with each other by the first recess. When the rotation angle of the valve body is in the position of the third angle range, the exhaust port and the first extraction port are communicated with each other by the second recess, and the rotation angle of the valve body is in the position of the fourth angle range. When the second exhaust port and the second exhaust port communicate with each other through the second recessed portion, the first angle range and the third angle range do not overlap, and the second angle range and the fourth angle range The ranges do not overlap, the sizes of the first angle range and the second angle range are equal, and the phase difference between the positions of the first angle range and the second angle range is a phase difference of 180 degrees of the valve body rotation. And the size of the third angle range and the fourth angle range are equal, and the phase difference between the positions of the third angle range and the fourth angle range is A rotary valve having a first characteristic that a phase difference of 180 degrees of valve body rotation is set.

  2) The rotary valve according to 1) above, wherein the first angle range has a size of 200 degrees or more and 230 degrees or less.

  3) Provided with a first adsorption tower and a second adsorption tower filled with an adsorbent capable of selectively adsorbing a residual gas component over at least one selected gas component of a mixed gas containing two or more components. In a pressure swing type gas separation apparatus, a rotary valve used for switching a flow path for pressurizing and supplying a mixed gas to each adsorption tower or exhausting residual gas components from each adsorption tower, and having a cylindrical inner peripheral surface It consists of a valve box in which a valve chamber is formed, and a cylindrical valve body that is arranged to be rotatable about one axis while closely sliding with the inner surface of the valve chamber. An air supply port that opens as an air supply port on the surface and is connected to an air supply passage to which a mixed gas is supplied, and an exhaust passage that opens at one end as an exhaust port on the valve chamber surface and discharges residual gas components. The exhaust connection port to be connected and one end of the exhaust port are connected to the cylindrical inner peripheral surface of the valve chamber. Opened as a bleed port, a first bleed connection port to which a first bleed flow channel communicating with the first adsorption tower is connected, and one end opened as a second bleed port to the cylindrical inner peripheral surface of the valve chamber And a second extraction connection port to which a second extraction flow path communicating with the second adsorption tower is connected, and the supply port and the exhaust port have the same plane with the rotation axis of the valve body as the normal line The first bleed port and the second bleed port are located between the supply port and the exhaust port in the rotation axis direction of the valve body, and the first bleed port and the second bleed port are They are on the same plane with the body rotation axis as the normal line and are opposed to each other at an angle of 180 degrees with respect to the valve body rotation direction, and the supply port, exhaust port, first extraction port, and second extraction port are independently arranged The cylindrical outer surface of the valve body has an endless circumferential groove shape at a circumferential position facing the air supply port. 1 circumferential groove, a second circumferential groove having an endless circumferential groove shape at a circumferential position facing the exhaust port, and on the circumference through which the first and second extraction ports rotate. A first end groove and a second end groove formed in series in the circumferential direction at opposite positions; a first notch that conducts the first circumferential groove and the first end groove; A second notch that conducts the second circumferential groove and the second end groove, and the first circumferential groove, the first notch, and the first end groove are the first recesses. And the second circumferential groove, the second notch, and the second end groove constitute a second recessed portion, and the first end groove and the second end groove are separated from each other. An arc generated when the surface shape of a portion of the cylindrical outer peripheral surface of the valve body, which overlaps the circumferential surface through which the first or second extraction port rotates, is projected onto a plane whose normal is the rotation axis of the valve body The angle of the apex of the fan shape including The surface of the portion of the opening surface shape on the inner peripheral surface of the valve chamber of the first or second extraction port that overlaps with the circumferential surface through which the first or second end groove rotates. The angle of the apex of the fan shape including the arc generated when the shape is projected onto the plane whose normal is the rotation axis of the valve element is the “port arc apex angle”, and the two end groove separation arc apex angles are equal. The port arc apex angle of the first and second bleed ports is the same, and the end groove separating arc apex angle is equal to or greater than the port arc length angle of the first or second bleed port. A featured rotary valve.

  4) Of the surface shape of the opening on the outer peripheral surface of the valve body cylinder of the first or second end groove, the surface shape of the portion that overlaps the circumferential surface through which the first or second extraction port rotates passes, The angle of the apex of the fan-shaped apex including the arc generated when projected onto a plane whose normal is the rotation axis of the body is the “end groove arc apex angle”, and the end groove arc apex angle of the first end groove is The rotary valve according to 3) above, wherein the sum of the first or second extraction port and the port arc apex angle is 200 degrees or more and 230 degrees or less.

  5) Of the intersecting line shape of the rising surface constituting the first or second end groove formed in the valve body and the cylindrical outer peripheral surface of the valve body, the first or second extraction port and the first or second In the opening and closing process in which the area of the effective surface of the flow path with the two end grooves changes, the line shape of the boundary constituting the effective surface of the flow path is defined as the “end groove end shape”, and the first and / or second The rotary valve according to 3) or 4) above, wherein the end groove shape of the end groove is a straight line parallel to the rotation axis of the valve body.

  6) In a valve box having a cylinder inner end face in the valve chamber, a first space and / or a second space is formed between the cylinder inner end face of the valve box and the column outer end face of the valve body, Forming a first notch that conducts the space and the first end groove, and / or forming a second notch that conducts the second space and the second end groove, The first recess is constituted by the first space, the first notch and the first end groove, and / or the second recess is the second space, the second notch and the second notch. 6) The sixth feature is that the air supply port and the exhaust port are formed at positions that always communicate with the first and second spaces regardless of the rotation angle of the valve body, respectively. To 5).

  7) Form in which the circumferential length of the first notch is formed to be approximately the same as the circumferential length of the first end groove, and the first notch encloses the first end groove. And the first notch and the first circumferential groove constitute the first recessed portion, and / or the circumferential length of the second notch is the circumference of the second end groove. The second notch is formed to have the same length as the direction, the second notch includes the second end groove, and the second notch and the second circumferential groove constitute the second recessed portion. The rotary valve according to any one of 3) to 6), characterized in that this is a seventh feature.

  8) A pressure swing type gas separation device having two adsorption towers, one end of the first adsorption tower having a first extraction channel for supplying mixed gas and exhausting residual gas, and second One end of the adsorption tower has a second extraction channel for supplying mixed gas and exhausting residual gas, the first extraction channel is connected to the first extraction port, and the second extraction channel Is connected to the second extraction connection port, and the other end of the two adsorption towers has a flow path for taking out a selective gas, and the rotary valve according to any one of 1) to 7) above is mounted. A pressure swing type gas separation device.

  When the first or third feature is within the rotation angle range of the valve body in which the supply port and the first extraction port are communicated with each other by the first recess, the mixed gas is supplied to the first adsorption tower. Pressurized supply. Subsequently, when the exhaust port and the first bleed port are in the rotation angle range where the second recessed portion communicates, the residual gas component is exhausted from the first adsorption tower by the residual pressure in the adsorption tower. The

  The action according to the first or third feature is that when the supply port and the second extraction port are communicated with each other by the first recess, the mixed gas is supplied to the second adsorption tower. Pressurized supply. Subsequently, when the exhaust port and the second extraction port are in communication with each other through the second recess, the residual gas component is exhausted from the second adsorption tower by the residual pressure in the adsorption tower. The

  The operation according to the first or third feature is that the timing of supplying the mixed gas to the first adsorption tower and the timing of exhausting the residual gas are the timing of supplying the mixed gas to the second adsorption tower and the timing of exhausting the residual gas, That is, the rotation phase difference of the valve body coincides with 180 degrees.

  The action of the first or third feature is that the valve element is housed in the valve chamber and slides in close contact with the inner wall surface of the valve chamber, so even if the mixed gas is pressurized and supplied from the air supply port, There is no gap between the valve chamber wall and the valve body, and the airtightness of the sliding surface is always maintained.

  The action according to the first or third feature is to make the supply / exhaust action to the respective adsorption towers equal, and the first and second recessed parts are short-circuited from the opening part such as the extraction port. This is to prevent the mixed gas from the air supply port from flowing directly into the exhaust port without communicating.

  The action of the second or fourth feature is that the first or second extraction port and the supply port are specified by an angular range where the first or second extraction port and the supply port communicate with each other, and the mixed gas is pressurized and supplied to the adsorption tower. The internal pressure of the adsorption tower reaches a pressure at which the best characteristics of the adsorbent can be exerted, and the adsorption reaction time of the adsorbent and the residual gas is ensured. Each of the adsorption towers connected to the two bleeder connection ports is identified by a step in which the step of communicating the supply port and the first bleed port by the executive and the step of communication between the supply port and the second bleed port are specified. At the same time, the gas supply port communicates with the two adsorption towers at the same time so that the mixed gas is simultaneously pressurized and the internal pressures of the two adsorption towers are equalized (hereinafter referred to as “pressure equalization process”). Is to be done.

  FIG. 12 shows opening / closing timings of the supply port and the exhaust port for the first and second extraction ports. An angle range in which the first extraction port communicates with the supply port is defined as a first angle range, and an angle range in which the second extraction port communicates with the supply port is defined as a second angle range, An angle range in which the bleed port communicates with the exhaust port is defined as a third angle range, an angle range in which the second bleed port communicates with the exhaust port is defined as a fourth angle range, An angle range in which the second bleed port communicates with the supply port at the same time is defined as a pressure equalizing section. The process of changing the opening degree of the air supply port and the exhaust port may not actually be a straight line depending on the shape of the port, but is simply shown as a straight line in this figure.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the concentration of the selected gas component when the size of the first angle range (= the size of the second angle range) is changed is the size of the first angle range in the second feature. In the fourth feature, the sum of the end groove groove apex angle of the first end groove and the port arc apex angle of the first extraction port (= port arc apex angle of the second extraction port) However, it becomes a high value in the range of 200 degrees or more and 230 degrees or less. More preferably, a high concentration exceeding 89% is achieved around 210 degrees.

  The action of the fifth feature is that the first or second extraction port and the first extraction port in the opening / closing process in which the effective area of the flow path between the first or second extraction port and the first or second end groove changes. The gradient of the increase rate or decrease rate of the effective area of the flow path with the first or second end groove is increased, and the supply air flow rate and the exhaust gas flow rate at the start and end of supply and exhaust are increased. (Reference: Figures 9, 10, 11, 13)

  The effect of the sixth feature is that the space in place of the first or second circumferential groove is formed at the cylinder end of the valve body, thereby reducing the size of the rotary valve of the present invention in the valve body rotation axis direction. This increases the degree of freedom of the location where the air supply port or exhaust port is formed.

  The action of the seventh feature is that the circumferential length of the first or second notch is enlarged to the circumferential length of the first or second end groove, respectively, and the flow path resistance And the simplification of the processing when manufacturing the valve body. According to this feature, there is a case where the end groove and the notch cannot be distinguished from each other in terms of shape, the end groove is described as the notch, the end groove separation arc apex angle is described as the notch separation arc apex angle, The description of the end groove arc apex angle is matched with the notch arc apex angle, and the description of the end groove end shape is replaced with the notch end shape.

  The present invention also includes a combination of the above rotary valves in series, and further, the adjacent first circumferential grooves or second circumferential grooves formed between the series are shared. What is characterized by doing is also included.

  In the usage during normal operation, it is preferable in terms of cost to use a motor that rotates the valve body at a constant speed.

  If the size of the first or second notch is as large as possible, the flow resistance may be reduced. However, if a large notch is not formed in consideration of the balance of the arrangement of the rotational sliding surfaces, the first notch Alternatively, since a large flow rate is strongly expected as the valve performance in the process of starting the opening of the second extraction port and the first or second recessed portion, the flow resistance and the balance of the rotational sliding surface are balanced. In consideration of the above, a first or second notch is formed at an end of the first or second end groove and the first or second bleed port, and a plurality of second notches are formed. A notch may be formed.

  The locations where the air supply port and the exhaust port are formed are not specified as long as they are always in communication with the first circumferential groove and the second circumferential groove, respectively.

It is preferable that the first and second recessed portions are formed sufficiently large to make the flow path resistance as small as possible. When the concave trunk portion is not formed sufficiently large, the flow path resistance between the supply port or the exhaust port with respect to the first extraction port and the flow path between the supply port or the exhaust port with respect to the second extraction port It is possible that the resistances are not equal, and there is a slight difference in the balance of gas concentration distribution in the first and second adsorption towers. In this case, the second air supply port at a position opposed to the air supply port by 180 degrees in the rotational angle direction of the valve body, or a position opposed to the exhaust port by 180 degrees in the rotational angle direction of the valve body. A second exhaust port may be formed.

  The effect of the first or third feature is that, compared to the case where an actuator such as an electromagnetic valve is used, the operation sound of the electromagnetic valve is not generated and the noise is greatly reduced. No equipment is required, the pressure swing type gas separation device is reduced in size and weight, the number of driving parts is reduced, the failure rate is lowered, and the mechanism is simple, so that maintenance is facilitated.

Compared with the invention shown in Patent Document 1 or Patent Document 2 or the like, the effect of the first or third feature is that the present invention provides a valve chamber wall and a valve that can be used even when the mixed gas is pressurized and supplied from the air supply port. Since the airtightness of the sliding surface between the body and the body is maintained, it is easy to maintain the separation performance of the pressure swing type gas separation device.
In addition, the occurrence of problems such as fluid gas leakage and sliding part sticking is reduced, the mechanism for pressing the sliding surface is unnecessary, the number of basic parts constituting the valve is reduced to about 1/3, and the sliding of the valve is reduced. An inexpensive general steel material can be selected as the moving part material, and the total cost such as maintenance cost, material cost and processing cost can be reduced and downsized.
Even if the pressure or flow rate in the valve is changed by changing the specifications of the pressure swing type gas separation device, it is not necessary to change the strength of the spring that presses the sliding surface, and the sliding surface is kept airtight. Be drunk.

  The effect of the first or third feature is that the supply of mixed gas to the first and second adsorption towers and the exhaust of residual gas are equally balanced, and the concentration of the selected gas is stabilized at a high level. . In addition, gas mixture from compressors and blowers can be used without waste, increasing the concentration of selected gas components and increasing the flow rate, and optimizing the specifications of the gas supply machine is there.

  The effect of the second or fourth feature is that the optimum pressure in the adsorption tower, the time required for adsorption, and the time for an appropriate pressure equalization process are ensured, so that the ideal selected gas and the residual gas in the adsorption tower can be obtained. The concentration distribution of the gas component can be realized, the separation of the selected gas component and the residual gas component is promoted, and the concentration of the selected gas component is increased and the flow rate is increased.

  The effect of the fifth feature is that the rising / falling gradient of the effective area of the flow path with respect to the opening degree of the first or second extraction port and the first end groove can be increased, so that it is connected to the extraction connection port. More mixed gas can be supplied to the adsorption tower, the pressure in the adsorption tower can be increased in a short time to the optimum pressure for adsorption, and sufficient time for adsorption can be secured. The rising / falling slope of the effective area of the flow path relative to the opening degree of the first or second extraction port and the second end groove can be increased, so that sufficient time for exhausting can be secured and the pressure in the adsorption tower can be reduced. By rapidly reducing the residual gas component from the adsorbent, the concentration of the selected gas component is increased and the flow rate is increased.

  In particular, due to the adsorption and desorption characteristics of adsorbents such as zeolite, supply the mixed gas as soon as possible to increase the pressure inside the adsorption tower as quickly as possible, and exhaust the residual gas as soon as possible when the residual gas starts to be exhausted to rapidly increase the pressure inside the adsorption tower. Lowering greatly affects the increase in the concentration and flow rate of the selected gas, and the effect of the fifth feature is important as a rotary valve applied to the pressure swing type gas separation device.

  According to the present invention in which the first end groove and the second end groove are hermetically separated on the cylindrical outer peripheral surface of the valve body, by using a flat end mill tool at the time of valve body processing, without increasing the cost. In addition, the fifth feature can be realized without enlarging the valve dimensions.

  The effect of the sixth feature is that the rotary valve is downsized in the direction of the rotational axis of the rotary valve, and the degree of freedom of the opening position of the supply port or the exhaust port is increased. Therefore, the rotary valve is incorporated in the pressure swing type gas separation device. In this case, the degree of freedom of arrangement of the valve body and the degree of freedom of piping are improved.

  The effect of the seventh feature is to improve the air supply efficiency to the adsorption tower and the exhaust efficiency from the adsorption tower by reducing the channel resistance due to the notch, and to reduce the supply noise and exhaust noise and the valve body Helps reduce weight. Moreover, the tool change process at the time of a process of a notch and a end groove is reduced, the process movement path | route of a tool can also be simplified, and it is useful for reduction of process cost.

The pressure swing type gas separation device equipped with the rotary valve of the present invention has a simple mechanism and does not easily cause problems such as gas leakage, ensuring sufficient concentration and flow rate of the selected gas, and achieving miniaturization and weight reduction. Is done.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Moreover, the block diagram of the pressure swing type | mold gas separation apparatus incorporating the rotary valve is shown in FIG.

  The components of the rotary valve in this embodiment are a valve box 100 having a cylindrical inner peripheral surface and a columnar valve body 101 that is rotatably arranged along the cylindrical inner peripheral surface.

  A first circumferential groove 200 and a second circumferential groove 204 are formed as circumferential grooves having an endless groove shape on the cylindrical outer peripheral surface of the valve body, and the first circumferential groove and the second circumferential groove are formed. A first end groove 202 and a second end groove 206 are formed in series in the circumferential direction on the same circumference at a position between the first circumferential groove 200 and the first end groove 202. Is conducted at the first notch 201 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cylinder of the valve body, and the first recessed portion is formed by the first circumferential groove 200, the first end groove 202, and the first notch 201. 203, and the second circumferential groove 204 and the second end groove 206 are electrically connected by a second notch 205 formed in the cylindrical outer peripheral surface of the valve body, and the second circumferential groove 204 and the second circumferential groove 204 A second recessed portion 207 is formed by the two end grooves 206 and the second notch 205.

  An air supply port 102 is formed at a position corresponding to the first circumferential groove 200 in order to always communicate with the first recessed portion 203 on the cylindrical inner peripheral surface of the valve box, and the second recessed portion 207 In order to always communicate, the exhaust port 103 is formed at a position corresponding to the second circumferential groove 204, and the first end groove 202 and the second end groove 206 are 180 degrees on the circumference aligned in series. The first bleed port 104 and the second bleed port 105 are formed at positions opposite to.

  On the outer surface of the valve box, an air supply connection port 106 for connecting to a compressor, a blower or the like is formed as the other end of the air supply port 102, and an exhaust for connecting to the exhaust chamber or the like as the other end of the exhaust port 103. A connection port 107 is formed, and the first extraction port 104 as the other end of the first extraction port 104 is connected to the first adsorption tower 150 through the first extraction flow path 152, and the second extraction port As the other end of the port 105, the second extraction connection port 109 is connected to the second adsorption tower 151 through the second extraction passage 153.

  The end groove arc apex angle 324 of the first end groove 202 is about 180 degrees, and the end groove separation arc apex angles (322, 323) separating the two end grooves are equal angles, and each is about 32 degrees. The port arc apex angle 302 of the first bleed port 104 and the port arc apex angle 303 of the second bleed port 105 are set equal to each other and about 30 degrees.

  As the valve body rotates, the first end groove and the second end groove do not directly short-circuit in the valve across the first extraction port or the second extraction port. In addition, in order to sufficiently secure the end groove arc apex angle of the first end groove or the second end groove, the end groove separation arc apex angle is equal to or greater than the port arc apex angle and is equal to or greater than the port arc apex angle. It is appropriate that the angle is 10 degrees or less.

  Since the port arc apex angle of the extraction port is about 30 degrees and the end groove arc apex angle is about 180 degrees, the size of the first angle range (= the size of the second angle range) is about 210 degrees. The pressure equalizing step is performed in the range where the rotation angle of the valve body is about 30 degrees.

The end groove end shape 12 of the first end groove 202 and the second end groove 206 is a linear shape parallel to the rotation axis of the valve body.

  9, 10, and 11 show the difference in effective area of the flow path between the extraction port and the end groove due to the difference between the shape of the extraction port 7 and the end groove end shape 12. FIG. 13 shows changes in the effective area of the flow path with respect to changes in the opening degree of the extraction port and the end groove.

In the case where the end groove end shape is a linear shape parallel to the rotation axis of the valve body (FIG. 10) compared to the case where the end groove end shape is an arc shape (FIG. 9) with respect to the round hole-shaped extraction port, When the opening of the bleed port and the end groove is 25%, the effective area of the flow path is 34% larger, when the opening is 50%, the effective area is 27% larger, and when the opening is 75%, the effective area is 17%. growing.
If an increase in the manufacturing cost of the valve box is allowed, it is more effective if the extraction port has a square hole shape as shown in FIG.

  In this embodiment, the extraction port has an elongated hole shape, and the end groove end shape is parallel to the rotation axis of the valve body, because of ensuring the port arc apex angle of the extraction port and restrictions on the dimensions of the rotary valve in the valve body rotation axis direction. It has a linear shape.

  Since the first and second bleed ports are formed at positions facing each other at an angle of 180 degrees and the port arc apex angle is set equal, the first and second end grooves for the first bleed port The opening / closing timing of the valve body coincides with the opening / closing timing of the first and second end grooves with respect to the second extraction port by a phase difference of 180 degrees of the valve body rotation, and the supply / exhaust air is supplied to the two adsorption towers. Acting equally, the selected gas is stably high in concentration, and a large flow rate is secured.

  An O-ring or the like may be arranged at both ends of the cylindrical outer peripheral surface of the valve body for the purpose of improving airtightness.

  In this embodiment, a coupling component for transmitting rotational motion from the motor drive shaft is arranged inside the valve body, and the notch is approximately the same as the circumferential length of the end groove due to structural restrictions. It does not apply to the formation of a large notch.

  FIG. 6 shows an embodiment in which the valve box has a cylindrical inner peripheral surface and one cylindrical inner end surface.

  Since the valve box has a cylindrical inner end surface, a first space 208 is provided between the cylindrical inner end surface of the valve box and the cylindrical outer end surface of the valve body as a function alternative to the first circumferential groove having an endless circumferential groove shape. The first recess 208 is formed by the first space 208, the first notch 201, and the first end groove 202.

  The air supply port 102 is formed on the cylindrical inner peripheral surface or the cylindrical inner end surface of the valve box at a position corresponding to the first space 208. Compared with the best mode, the method of the present embodiment reduces the size of the rotary valve in the direction of the rotation axis of the valve body, increases the degree of freedom of piping of the air supply passage, reduces the manufacturing cost of the valve body, The manufacturing cost of the box increases.

  If the flow path loss between the first and second extraction ports and the supply port is not equal, and there is a slight difference in the balance of the gas concentration distribution in the first and second adsorption towers, The air port may be formed at the center of the inner end surface of the cylinder.

  As an example in which this example is further developed, there may be a case where the cylindrical inner end face of the valve box is provided on the second circumferential groove side. Further, when the valve box has two cylindrical inner end faces, the first and second As a function alternative to the circumferential groove, a first space is formed between one cylindrical inner end face of the valve box and one cylindrical outer end face of the valve body, and the other cylindrical inner end face of the valve box and the other of the valve body In some cases, the second space is formed between the outer end surfaces of the cylinders.

  An exhaust silencer muffler or exhaust chamber is connected to the exhaust connection port, and it is common to add a silencing function or a function to prevent over-exhaust, but if such a function is unnecessary, the structure is simpler Therefore, the inner end surface of the cylinder of the valve box on the second space side is unnecessary, and the residual gas component may be directly released from the second notch to the atmosphere.

  In this case, in order to keep the concentration of the selected gas component high, the exhaust tuning work at the time of rotary valve design / trial production becomes complicated. In addition, the manufacturing cost of the valve body and valve box is reduced, and it helps to reduce the dimension in the direction of the rotation axis. However, problems such as external dust biting into the sliding part around the second notch and exhaust noise Occurs.

  From the relationship of the drive shaft arrangement for rotating the valve body, the second space on the exhaust side or the second notch is on the motor drive side, and the first space on the air supply side is more strictly required for airtightness. Is preferably formed on the opposite side of the motor drive side, and there is a possibility that the arrangement of the sliding surface may be unbalanced. Therefore, when forming the notch, both ends of the first or second end groove are formed. It is desirable to devise the number and arrangement of notches such as forming two first or second notches.

  An embodiment in which the first notch 201 and the second notch 205 are formed large is shown in FIG.

  When the notch is formed to a size that is the same as the circumferential length of the end groove, the end groove is not a groove shape but an integral shape enclosed in the notch. If this example is feasible, it is not necessary to process the end groove and the notch separately, which is effective in reducing the processing cost, the processing deleted part is enlarged, the weight is reduced, and the flow resistance is also improved. It is reduced.

  FIG. 8 shows an embodiment in which the first notch 201 is formed large and the air supply port 102 is formed at the center of the cylindrical outer end surface of the valve box.

  The first notch 201 is formed to a size equivalent to the circumferential length of the first end groove, and the air supply port 102 is formed at the center on the inner end surface of the cylinder of the valve box. The space can be omitted, and the first notch 201 and the air supply port 102 are directly communicated with each other.

  In a conventional rotary valve with a flat part as a sliding surface, a seal member or the like for preventing leakage is required near the air supply port, and the flatness, parallelism and surface roughness of the flat part are improved. Although it is necessary, in this example, the cylinder inner end surface of the valve box and the cylinder outer end surface of the valve body are hermetically separated by the sliding contact surface of the cylinder outer peripheral surface of the valve body. The flatness, parallelism, and surface roughness of the valve box's cylinder inner end surface and the cylinder outer end surface of the valve body, the clearance between the cylinder inner end surface of the valve box and the cylinder outer end surface of the valve element, etc. Does not affect performance.

  FIG. 14 shows the second feature in which the rotary valve shown in the “Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention” is applied to a pressure swing type gas separation device for oxygen concentration. (= The size of the second angle range). In the fourth feature, the end groove arc apex angle of the first end groove and the port arc apex angle of the first extraction port (= second extraction air) The graph of the density | concentration change of the selection gas (oxygen gas) with respect to the change of the sum value of the port circular arc apex angle of a port is shown.

The first angular range is changed by changing the rotation speed during one rotation of the valve body rotation motor, and the flow rate of the high concentration oxygen gas is set to 4 by adjusting the throttle valve installed at the high concentration oxygen gas outlet portion. When the magnitude of the first angle range was 200 to 230 degrees, the concentration was about 88% or higher, and the maximum density was about 89.1% near about 210 degrees.
When the flow rate was set at 3.5 liters / minute, the oxygen concentration in the graph increased as a whole, and it was confirmed that the maximum concentration exceeded 91% around 210 degrees.

  A rotary valve prototyped according to the present invention is attached to a pressure swing type gas separation device for medium and small-sized oxygen concentration, and has been confirmed to have higher performance than conventional products. For ozone generation in factories and stores, medical treatment in hospitals and homes It can be expected to be used not only as a high-concentration oxygen supply device for home use but also as a home oxygen concentrator for fatigue recovery and health maintenance.

It is a front view which shows a rotary valve. It is a side view (only a valve box is made into sectional drawing) which shows a rotary valve. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the term which mainly defines the shape of a valve body. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the term which mainly determines the shape of a valve box. It is a block diagram of the pressure swing type gas separation apparatus incorporating a rotary valve. It is a side view which shows Example 1 of a rotary valve (only a valve box is made into sectional drawing). It is a side view which shows Example 2 of a rotary valve (only the valve box is made into sectional drawing). It is a side view which shows Example 3 of a rotary valve (only the valve box is made into sectional drawing). It is explanatory drawing for showing the structure 1 and the effective area of a flow path of a bleed port shape and end groove end shape. It is explanatory drawing for showing the structure 2 and the effective area of a flow path of a bleed port shape and a end groove end shape. It is explanatory drawing for showing the structure 3 and the effective area of a flow path of extraction port shape and end groove end shape. It is a graph which shows the opening / closing timing of the 1st and 2nd extraction port, an air supply port, and an exhaust port. It is a graph which shows the change of the effective area of a flow path with respect to the change of the opening degree of a bleed port and an end groove. It is a graph which shows the density | concentration change of the selection gas component with respect to the magnitude | size change of a 1st angle range.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Cylindrical outer end surface 2 Cylindrical outer peripheral surface 3 Cylindrical inner end surface 4 Cylindrical inner peripheral surface 5 Rotating shaft of valve body 6 Plane with the rotating shaft of the valve body as a normal line 7 Port 9 Port arc apex angle End line forming surface 11 10 and cylindrical outer peripheral surface 12 Of the crossing line 11 11, a portion showing the end groove end shape 13 Ended groove arc top angle 15 Ended groove separation arc top angle 30 Yes Direction of rotation of end groove 31 Effective area of flow path when opening of end groove and extraction port is 25% 32 Effective area of flow path when opening of end groove and extraction port is 50% 33 End Groove 100 Valve box 101 Valve body 102 Supply port 103 Exhaust port 104 First extraction port 105 Second extraction port 106 Supply connection port 107 Exhaust connection port 108 First extraction connection port 109 Second extraction port 120 Motor 150 First adsorption tower 151 Second adsorption tower 152 First extraction channel 153 Second extraction channel 160 Supply of mixed gas 161 Exhaust of residual gas 162 Extraction of selected gas 200 First circumferential groove 201 First notch 202 First 1 end groove 203 first recess 204 second circumferential groove 205 second notch 206 second end groove 207 second recess 208 first space 302 port of the first bleed port Arc top angle 303 Port arc top angle of second bleed port 322 Ended groove separation arc top angle
323 Ended groove separation arc apex angle 324 Ended groove arc apex angle of first end groove 325 Ended groove arc apex angle of second end groove

Claims (6)

Adsorption capable of selectively adsorbing the remaining gas component (hereinafter referred to as “residual gas component”) over at least one gas component (hereinafter referred to as “selected gas component”) of the mixed gas containing two or more components. In a pressure swing type gas separation apparatus provided with two adsorption towers (hereinafter referred to as “first adsorption tower” and “second adsorption tower”) filled with an agent, a mixed gas is supplied to each adsorption tower under pressure, or each A rotary valve used for switching a flow path for exhausting residual gas components from an adsorption tower, wherein the valve box is formed with a valve chamber having a cylindrical inner peripheral surface, and is in close contact with the inner surface of the valve chamber. It consists of a cylindrical valve body that is rotatably arranged around one axis. The valve box has one end opened as an air supply port on the inner surface of the valve chamber, and an air supply passage through which mixed gas is supplied. Supply air connection port and one end open as an exhaust port on the valve chamber surface And an exhaust connection port connected to the exhaust flow path for discharging the residual gas component, and a first opening that opens as a first extraction port on the cylindrical inner peripheral surface of the valve chamber and communicates with the first adsorption tower. A first bleed air connection port to which the bleed air flow channel is connected is connected to a second bleed air flow channel having one end opened as a second bleed port on the cylindrical inner peripheral surface of the valve chamber and communicating with the second adsorption tower. The first and second bleed connection ports, and the first and second cylinders that form a gap between the valve body and the valve chamber wall at the cylinder outer surface of the valve body or the recess formed in the cylinder outer surface of the valve body and the valve chamber A part of the first concave part and a part of the second concave part at a confronting position on a circumference through which the first extraction port and the second extraction port pass and rotate. , arranged in series in the circumferential direction on the same circumference, the first recess and the second recess, in the valve body, regardless of the rotation angle of the valve body, the valve When the rotation angle of the valve body is in the position of the first angle range, the first recess is used to separate the cylinder inner peripheral surface of the valve body and the cylindrical outer peripheral surface of the valve body. When the air supply port and the first bleed port are communicated and the rotation angle of the valve body is in the second angular range, the air supply port and the second bleed port are communicated by the first recess. When the rotation angle of the valve body is in the position of the third angle range, the exhaust port and the first extraction port are communicated with each other by the second recessed portion, and the rotation angle of the valve body is within the fourth angle range. When the position is in the position, the exhaust port and the second extraction port are communicated with each other by the second recessed portion, the first angle range and the third angle range do not overlap, and the second angle range and the fourth angle range The angle ranges of the first angle range and the second angle range are equal, and the first angle range and the second angle range have the same size. The phase difference of the position is a phase difference of 180 degrees of the valve body rotation, the sizes of the third angle range and the fourth angle range are equal, and the phase difference between the positions of the third angle range and the fourth angle range. Is a phase difference of 180 degrees of valve body rotation , and the first angle range is 200 degrees or more and 230 degrees or less . Pressure swing including a first adsorption tower and a second adsorption tower filled with an adsorbent capable of selectively adsorbing a residual gas component over at least one selected gas component of a mixed gas containing two or more components. In a gas separation apparatus, a rotary valve used for switching a flow path for pressurizing and supplying a mixed gas to each adsorption tower or exhausting residual gas components from each adsorption tower, and having a cylindrical inner peripheral surface And a cylindrical valve body that is arranged so as to be rotatable about one axis while closely sliding with the inner surface of the valve chamber. One end of the valve box is located on the inner surface of the valve chamber. An air supply connection port that opens as an air supply port and is connected to an air supply flow path to which a mixed gas is supplied, and one end that opens as an exhaust port on the inner surface of the valve chamber and is connected to an exhaust flow path that discharges residual gas components. The exhaust port and one end are connected to the cylinder inner peripheral surface of the valve chamber. A first extraction connection port to which a first extraction flow path that opens as a port and communicates with the first adsorption tower is connected; and one end opens as a second extraction port on the cylindrical inner peripheral surface of the valve chamber; A second extraction connection port to which a second extraction flow path communicating with the second adsorption tower is connected, and the supply port and the exhaust port are on the same plane with the rotation axis of the valve body as a normal line The first bleed port and the second bleed port are located between the air supply port and the exhaust port in the rotation axis direction of the valve body, and the first bleed port and the second bleed port are the valve body. Are arranged on the same plane with the rotation axis of the normal line as opposed to each other at an angle of 180 degrees with respect to the valve body rotation direction, and the supply port, the exhaust port, the first extraction port, and the second extraction port are arranged independently. In the outer peripheral surface of the cylinder of the valve body, a first end of an endless circumferential groove is formed at a circumferential position facing the air supply port. A circumferential groove, a second circumferential groove having an endless circumferential groove shape at a circumferential position facing the exhaust port, and a confronting position on the circumference through which the first and second bleed ports rotate. A first end groove and a second end groove formed in series in the circumferential direction, a first notch electrically connecting the first circumferential groove and the first end groove, and a second And a second notch that conducts the circumferential groove and the second end groove, and the first circumferential groove, the first notch, and the first end groove have the first recessed portion. A valve body configured to constitute a second recessed portion with the second circumferential groove, the second notch, and the second end groove, and to separate the first end groove and the second end groove In the outer peripheral surface of the cylinder, an arc generated when the surface shape of the portion overlapping the circumferential surface through which the first or second extraction port rotates is projected onto a plane whose normal is the rotation axis of the valve element is included. The angle of the top of the fan-shaped fan Of the opening portion on the inner circumferential surface of the valve chamber cylinder of the first or second extraction port, and the surface shape of the portion overlapping the circumferential surface through which the first or second end groove rotates. , The angle of the apex of the fan-shaped apex including the arc that occurs when projected onto the plane whose normal is the rotation axis of the valve body is the “port arc apex angle”, and the two end groove separation arc apex angles are equal, The port arc apex angles of the first and second extraction ports are made equal, the end groove separation arc apex angle is made equal to or greater than the port arc length angle of the first or second extraction port , and the first or second Of the surface shape of the opening on the outer peripheral surface of the valve body cylinder of the end groove, the surface shape of the portion overlapping the circumferential surface through which the first or second extraction port rotates, and the rotation axis of the valve body as the normal line The angle of the apex of the fan-shaped apex that includes the arc generated when projected onto the plane to be projected is defined as the “ended groove arc apex angle”. A chromatic Tanmizo arc apex angle of Tanmizo, the sum of the first or port arc apex angle of the second bleed ports, rotary valve, characterized in that the 200 degrees or more 230 degrees. Of the intersecting line shape of the rising surface constituting the first or second end groove formed in the valve body and the cylindrical outer peripheral surface of the valve body, the first or second extraction port and the first or second In the opening and closing process in which the area of the effective surface of the flow channel with the end groove changes, the line shape of the boundary that forms the effective surface of the flow channel is defined as the “end groove end shape”, and the first and / or second The rotary valve according to claim 2 , wherein the end groove end shape of the end groove is a straight line parallel to the rotation axis of the valve element. In a valve box having a cylindrical inner end surface in the valve chamber, a first and / or second circumferential groove is substituted between the cylindrical inner end surface of the valve box and the cylindrical outer end surface of the valve body. Forming a space and / or a second space, forming a first notch that conducts the first space and the first end groove formed in the cylindrical outer peripheral surface of the valve body , and / or A second notch is formed to connect the second space and the second end groove formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cylinder of the valve body , and the first recessed portion has the first space, the first notch and the second notch. 1 end groove, and / or the second recessed portion is constituted by the second space, the second notch and the second end groove, and the supply port and the exhaust port are provided on the valve body. 4. The rotary valve according to claim 2 , wherein the rotary valve is formed at a position that always communicates with the first and second spaces regardless of the rotation angle. 5. The circumferential length of the first notch is formed to be approximately the same as the circumferential length of the first end groove, and the first notch includes the first end groove, The first notch and the first circumferential groove constitute the first recess, and / or the circumferential length of the second notch is the circumferential length of the second end groove. The second notch is formed to have the same length as the second notch and includes the second end groove, and the second notch and the second circumferential groove constitute the second recess. The rotary valve according to any one of claims 2 to 4 , characterized in that: A pressure swing type gas separation device having two adsorption towers, one end of the first adsorption tower having a first extraction channel for supplying mixed gas and exhausting residual gas, and second adsorption One end of the tower has a second extraction channel for supplying mixed gas and exhausting residual gas, the first extraction channel is connected to the first extraction port, and the second extraction channel is connected to the first extraction channel. The rotary valve according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the rotary valve according to any one of claims 1 to 5 is mounted on the other end of the two adsorption towers and has a flow path for taking out a selective gas. Pressure swing type gas separator.

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