JP7181151B2 - dehumidifier - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a dehumidifier for removing moisture contained in gas.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a dehumidifier for removing moisture contained in hydrogen generated in a water electrolytic bath is known. In this type of dehumidifier, as described in Patent Document 1, a plurality of dehumidifiers containing an adsorbent capable of adsorbing moisture are arranged in parallel, and the hydrogen supply destination is alternately switched, so that one dehumidifier can While drying the hydrogen, another dehumidifier heats and dries the adsorbent whose dehumidification performance has deteriorated to regenerate it.

For regeneration of the adsorbent described above, a regeneration gas is used to entrain and remove moisture released from the adsorbent. As the regeneration gas, dry hydrogen (dry gas) after dehumidification is used in order to suppress a decrease in gas purity when the dehumidifier is switched.

JP 2013-249488 A

However, in the prior art as described above, the regeneration gas used to regenerate the adsorbent is released into the atmosphere. Therefore, there is a problem that dry hydrogen is reduced by the amount used as regeneration gas, and the production efficiency of dry hydrogen is lowered.

An object of one aspect of the present invention is to reduce the decrease in dry gas production efficiency that accompanies the regeneration of the adsorbent.

In order to solve the above problems, a dehumidifier according to one aspect of the present invention contains an adsorbent capable of adsorbing moisture, allows wet gas supplied from a wet gas supply line to flow from one end, and a first dehumidifier and a second dehumidifier for flowing out from the other end the dry gas obtained by dehumidifying the wet gas; device to the second dehumidifier, and part of the dry gas flowing out of the second dehumidifier is used as regeneration gas for regenerating the adsorbent contained in the first dehumidifier. a line switching mechanism that supplies from the other end, and a regeneration gas that flows out from one end of the first dehumidifier and is used to regenerate the adsorbent is circulated and supplied to the other end of the first dehumidifier. a circulation line;

According to one aspect of the present invention, the regeneration gas used for regeneration of the adsorbent can be circulated without being released to the atmosphere, and can be repeatedly used for regeneration of the adsorbent. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the decrease in dry gas production efficiency that accompanies regeneration of the adsorbent.

1 is a schematic diagram showing a hydrogen generator equipped with a dehumidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. It is the schematic which shows the operation example of the adsorption|suction process which the said dehumidifier implements. It is a schematic diagram showing an operation example at the time of the initial operation of the heating regeneration process that the above-mentioned dehumidification device performs. It is a schematic diagram showing an operation example during normal operation of the heating regeneration process performed by the dehumidifier. It is the schematic which shows the operation example of the cooling regeneration process which the said dehumidifier implements. It is the schematic which shows the operation example of the pressure|voltage rise process which the said dehumidifier implements. It is the schematic which shows the operation example of the parallel process which the said dehumidifier implements. It is the schematic which shows the operation example of the switching process which the said dehumidifier implements.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8. FIG. In this embodiment, an example of a hydrogen generator equipped with a dehumidifier according to the present invention will be described.

(Overview of hydrogen generator)
The hydrogen generator according to the present embodiment is an apparatus for producing dry hydrogen as a product gas by supplying hydrogen among hydrogen and oxygen generated in a water electrolyzer to a dehumidifier and dehumidifying it. The dry hydrogen produced is used as a fuel cell or other energy source. As will be described later, the hydrogen generator according to the present embodiment circulates the regenerated hydrogen used for regenerating the adsorbent without releasing it into the atmosphere, and regenerates the adsorbent by repeatedly using it to regenerate the adsorbent. To suppress the decrease in dry hydrogen production efficiency associated with

(Configuration of hydrogen generator)
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a hydrogen generator 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1 , the hydrogen generator 1 includes a water electrolytic bath 2 , a pure water tank 3 , an oxygen gas-liquid separator 4 , a hydrogen gas-liquid separator 5 and a dehumidifier 6 .

The water electrolysis tank 2 electrolyzes water using renewable energy such as sunlight, wind power, water power, or geothermal power, commercial power, or the like to generate hydrogen and oxygen. A pure water tank 3 for supplying pure water to the water electrolytic bath 2 is connected to the water electrolytic bath 2 . The water electrolytic bath 2 is also connected to an oxygen gas-liquid separator 4 and a hydrogen gas-liquid separator 5 . Oxygen generated by the electrolysis of water is supplied from the water electrolyzer 2 to the oxygen-gas-liquid separator 4 in the state of gas-liquid mixed water together with water remaining without being electrolyzed. On the other hand, the hydrogen generated by the electrolysis of water is supplied from the water electrolyzer 2 to the hydrogen gas-liquid separator 5 in the state of gas-liquid mixed water together with the water that permeates the solid polymer membrane to the cathode side due to the electrolytic reaction. be done.

The oxygen-gas-liquid separator 4 separates the oxygen-containing gas-liquid mixed water supplied from the water electrolyzer 2 into oxygen and water. The water after the gas-liquid separation is supplied to the pure water tank 3 and reused as pure water. On the other hand, oxygen after gas-liquid separation is released to the atmosphere.

The hydrogen-gas-liquid separator 5 separates the hydrogen-containing gas-liquid mixed water supplied from the water electrolyzer 2 into hydrogen and water. Hydrogen after the gas-liquid separation is wet hydrogen (wet gas) containing a large amount of water. Therefore, the wet hydrogen after the gas-liquid separation is supplied to the dehumidifier 6 via the wet hydrogen supply line (wet gas supply line) L1, and water is removed.

The dehumidifier 6 dehumidifies the wet hydrogen supplied from the wet hydrogen supply line L1 to generate dry hydrogen (dry gas). The dehumidifier 6 includes a first dehumidifier 61 , a second dehumidifier 62 , a regenerated hydrogen tank 63 , a pressure booster 64 and a heat exchanger 65 .

The first dehumidifier 61 and the second dehumidifier 62 are adsorption towers containing adsorbents capable of adsorbing moisture, such as synthetic zeolite particles, silica gel particles, and activated alumina particles. Although two dehumidifiers are provided in this embodiment, the number of dehumidifiers may be three or more.

The first dehumidifier 61 is supplied with wet hydrogen from the upstream side (one end), and dehumidifies the wet hydrogen and causes dry hydrogen to flow out from the downstream side (the other end). Also, the second dehumidifier 62 is supplied with wet hydrogen from the upstream side (one end), and dehumidifies the wet hydrogen and causes dry hydrogen to flow out from the downstream side (the other end).

The first dehumidifier 61 and the second dehumidifier 62 are arranged in parallel to alternately dehumidify wet hydrogen. That is, the dehumidifier 6 can switch the supply destination of wet hydrogen supplied from the wet hydrogen supply line L<b>1 between the first dehumidifier 61 and the second dehumidifier 62 . In this embodiment, wet hydrogen from the wet hydrogen supply line L1 is supplied to the upstream side of the first dehumidifier 61 through the first automatic valve XV61. On the other hand, wet hydrogen from the wet hydrogen supply line L1 is supplied to the upstream side of the second dehumidifier 62 via the second automatic valve XV62.

The dehumidified dry hydrogen flowing out of the first dehumidifier 61 and the second dehumidifier 62 flows into the dry hydrogen supply line L2. In this embodiment, the dry hydrogen flowing out from the downstream side of the first dehumidifier 61 flows through the first check valve CV61 into the dry hydrogen supply line L2. On the other hand, the dry hydrogen flowing out from the downstream side of the second dehumidifier 62 flows through the second check valve CV62 into the dry hydrogen supply line L2. The dry hydrogen that has flowed into the dry hydrogen supply line L2 is supplied to the outside of the apparatus as product gas.

Heaters 61a and 62a are built in the first dehumidifier 61 and the second dehumidifier 62, respectively. The first dehumidifier 61 and the second dehumidifier 62 heat the adsorbent that has adsorbed moisture with these heaters 61a and 62a, thereby removing moisture from the adsorbent and regenerating the adsorbent.

For example, the dehumidifier 6 supplies wet hydrogen from the wet hydrogen supply line L1 to the first dehumidifier 61 for dehumidification, and then switches the wet hydrogen supply destination from the first dehumidifier 61 to the second dehumidifier 62, The second dehumidifier 62 continues to dehumidify the wet hydrogen. Also, the dehumidifier 6 regenerates the adsorbent contained in the first dehumidifier 61 while continuing to dehumidify the wet hydrogen in the second dehumidifier 62 .

Specifically, the adsorbent contained in the first dehumidifier 61 is heated by the heater 61a, and part of the dry hydrogen flowing out of the second dehumidifier 62 is converted into a regeneration gas ( Hereinafter, it may be referred to as regenerated hydrogen.). That is, the dehumidifier 6 heats the adsorbent of the first dehumidifier 61 with the built-in heater 61a, introduces regenerated hydrogen from the downstream side of the first dehumidifier 61, and removes the moisture separated from the adsorbent. The adsorbent is regenerated by being accompanied with regenerated hydrogen.

This regenerated hydrogen is supplied to the first dehumidifier through a regenerated hydrogen replenishment line L3 branched from the dry hydrogen supply line L2 and a regenerated hydrogen circulation line (regenerated gas circulation line) L4 connected to the regenerated hydrogen replenishment line L3. It is supplied to the device 61 or the second dehumidifier 62 .

The regenerated hydrogen replenishment line L3 causes part of the dry hydrogen flowing through the regenerated hydrogen replenishment line L3 to flow into the regenerated hydrogen circulation line L4. A first flow control valve V61 and a regenerated hydrogen replenishment valve V62 are arranged in this regenerated hydrogen replenishment line L3 from the upstream side. The first flow rate control valve V61 is composed of, for example, a manual flow rate control valve or the like. By moderately throttling the first flow regulating valve V61, the pressure on the upstream side of the regenerated hydrogen replenishment valve V62 is gently raised, and the pressure fluctuation in the regenerated hydrogen replenishment line L3 when the regenerated hydrogen replenishment valve V62 is opened is suppressed. can be suppressed. Further, by controlling the opening and closing of the regenerated hydrogen replenishment valve V62, it is possible to switch between supply/stop of the regenerated hydrogen to the regenerated hydrogen circulation line L4.

The regenerated hydrogen circulation line L4 is a channel for circulating regenerated hydrogen. A first dehumidifier 61 and a second dehumidifier 62 are connected in parallel to the regenerated hydrogen circulation line L4. Further, a regenerated hydrogen tank 63, a pressurizing section 64 and a heat exchanger 65 are arranged downstream of the first dehumidifier 61 and the second dehumidifier 62 in the regenerated hydrogen circulation line L4.

The regenerated hydrogen tank 63 stores the regenerated hydrogen that has flowed out of the first dehumidifier 61 or the second dehumidifier 62 and has been used to regenerate the adsorbent. For example, the regenerated hydrogen flowing out of the first dehumidifier 61 flows into the regenerated hydrogen tank 63 through the third automatic valve XV63. On the other hand, the regenerated hydrogen flowing out of the second dehumidifier 62 flows into the regenerated hydrogen tank 63 through the fourth automatic valve XV64. By arranging this regenerated hydrogen tank 63, it is possible to avoid abrupt pressure fluctuations and flow rate fluctuations due to the pressure increasing unit 64, and to increase the pressure of the regenerated hydrogen by the pressure increasing unit 64 at an appropriate timing, so that the first dehumidifier 61 or second dehumidifier 62 .

In addition, even when the purpose is to convert unstable renewable energy whose power generation is affected by the weather or the like into hydrogen, the hydrogen necessary for regeneration of the adsorbent can be stored by providing the regenerated hydrogen tank 63. It becomes possible to store the adsorbent, and the regeneration of the adsorbent can be stably continued.

Further, the regenerated hydrogen tank 63 is provided with a regenerated hydrogen pressure gauge (pressure gauge) P61 for detecting the internal pressure of the regenerated hydrogen tank 63 . The regenerated hydrogen pressure gauge P61 may be arranged at a position other than the regenerated hydrogen tank 63 as long as it can detect the internal pressure on the upstream side of the pressure increasing section 64 in the regenerated hydrogen circulation line L4.

Further, the regenerated hydrogen tank 63 is connected to a line in which a regenerated hydrogen exhaust valve V64 is arranged. For example, when the internal pressure of the regenerated hydrogen tank 62 becomes abnormally high (for example, 0.15 MPa or more), the regenerated hydrogen exhaust valve V64 is opened to release the internal pressure of the regenerated hydrogen tank 62 .

The booster 64 circulates the regenerated hydrogen by increasing the pressure of the regenerated hydrogen supplied from the regenerated hydrogen tank 63 . The boosting unit 64 is composed of, for example, a compressor, a fan, and the like. The regenerated hydrogen pressurized by the pressurizing section 64 is supplied to the heat exchanger 65 . By supplying the regenerated hydrogen pressurized by the pressurizing section 64 to the heat exchanger 65 , the moisture contained in the regenerated hydrogen can be easily removed in the heat exchanger 65 .

The heat exchanger 65 cools the regenerated hydrogen pressurized by the pressurizing section 64 to remove moisture contained in the regenerated hydrogen. Thereby, the dehumidifying effect in the first dehumidifier 61 or the second dehumidifier 62 can be enhanced. The heat exchanger 65 cools the regenerated hydrogen using cooling water, for example, and discharges condensed water containing hydrogen to the outside.

On the downstream side of the heat exchanger 65, a back pressure valve (pressure holding unit ) V65 is arranged. When regenerated hydrogen is supplied to the first dehumidifier 61, the regenerated hydrogen from which moisture has been removed through the heat exchanger 65 is supplied to the back pressure valve V65, the check valve V66, the second flow control valve (decompression section) V63 and the third After being decompressed through the check valve CV63, it is supplied to the first dehumidifier 61. On the other hand, when dry hydrogen is supplied to the second dehumidifier 62, the regenerated hydrogen from which moisture has been removed through the heat exchanger 65 is supplied to the back pressure valve V65, the check valve V66, the second flow control valve V63 and the fourth check valve V63. After being decompressed through valve CV 64 , it is supplied to second dehumidifier 62 .

(Operation example of dehumidifier)
Next, an operation example of the dehumidifier 6 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 8. FIG. The dehumidifier 6 according to this embodiment performs an adsorption process, a regeneration process, a cooling process, and a tower switching process.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an operation example of the adsorption step performed by the dehumidifier 6. As shown in FIG. FIG. 2 shows a state in which the first dehumidifier 61 is in dehumidifying operation and the second dehumidifier 62 is out of operation.

As shown in FIG. 2 , in the adsorption step, wet hydrogen A1 flowing through the wet hydrogen supply line L1 is supplied to the upstream side of the first dehumidifier 61 . In this adsorption step, the first automatic valve XV61 is opened, and the second automatic valve XV62, third automatic valve XV63 and fourth automatic valve XV64 are closed. As a result, the wet hydrogen A1 flows into the upstream side of the first dehumidifier 61 through the first automatic valve XV61. The wet hydrogen A1 that has flowed in from the upstream side of the first dehumidifier 61 is dehumidified by the adsorbent contained in the first dehumidifier 61 . The dry hydrogen A2 after dehumidification flows out from the downstream side of the first dehumidifier 61 and flows into the dry hydrogen supply line L2 via the first check valve CV61. The dry hydrogen A2 that has flowed into the dry hydrogen supply line L2 is supplied to the outside of the apparatus as product gas.

In the next regeneration step, the dehumidifier 6 causes the adsorbent of the first dehumidifier 61 to sufficiently adsorb moisture, and then switches the supply destination of the wet hydrogen A1 to the second dehumidifier 62 . Then, while continuing the dehumidification process in the second dehumidifier 62, a regeneration process for regenerating the adsorbent accommodated in the first dehumidifier 61 is performed. This regeneration step includes a heating regeneration step and a cooling regeneration step.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an operation example during the initial operation of the heating regeneration process performed by the dehumidifier 6. As shown in FIG. FIG. 3 shows a state in which the first dehumidifier 61 is in heat regeneration operation and the second dehumidifier 62 is in dehumidification operation.

As shown in FIG. 3, in the heating regeneration step, wet hydrogen A1 is supplied to the upstream side of the second dehumidifier 62, and part of the dry hydrogen A2 flowing out from the downstream side of the second dehumidifier 62 is regenerated hydrogen. The line is switched so that it is supplied to the downstream side of the first dehumidifier 61 as A3. This line switching is performed by controlling the opening and closing of the first automatic valve XV61, the second automatic valve XV62, the third automatic valve XV63, the fourth automatic valve XV64 and the regenerated hydrogen replenishing valve V62 (line switching mechanism). Then, while the heater 61a built in the first dehumidifier 61 is turned on to heat the adsorbent of the first dehumidifier 61, the regenerated hydrogen A3 supplied from the downstream side of the first dehumidifier 61 is circulated. , to dry the sorbent.

Specifically, in the heating regeneration step, the second automatic valve XV62 and the third automatic valve XV63 are opened, and the first automatic valve XV61 and the fourth automatic valve XV64 are closed. As a result, the wet hydrogen A1 flows into the upstream side of the second dehumidifier 62 via the second automatic valve XV62. The dry hydrogen A2 after dehumidification flows out from the downstream side of the second dehumidifier 62, passes through the second check valve CV62, and flows into the dry hydrogen supply line L2.

Further, when the heating regeneration operation of the first dehumidifier 61 is started, there may be cases where sufficient regenerated hydrogen A3 does not exist in the regenerated hydrogen circulation line L4. Therefore, at the beginning of the thermal regeneration process, the regenerated hydrogen replenishment valve V62 is opened. As a result, part of the dry hydrogen A2 flowing through the dry hydrogen supply line L2 is supplied as regenerated hydrogen A3 to the regenerated hydrogen circulation line L4 via the regenerated hydrogen replenishment line L3. For example, when the internal pressure of the regenerated hydrogen circulation line L4 is low, the dehumidifier 6 opens the regenerated hydrogen replenishment valve V62 to supply regenerated hydrogen A3 (dry hydrogen A2) to the regenerated hydrogen circulation line L4. More specifically, the dehumidifier 6 opens the regenerated hydrogen refill valve V62 when the internal pressure of the regenerated hydrogen tank 63 detected by the regenerated hydrogen pressure gauge P61 is less than a predetermined starting condition pressure value (for example, 0.1 MPag). , the regenerated hydrogen A3 is supplied to the regenerated hydrogen circulation line L4. The regenerated hydrogen A3 supplied to the regenerated hydrogen circulation line L4 flows into the downstream side of the first dehumidifier 61 through the second flow control valve V63 and the third check valve CV63.

In this manner, at the beginning of the heating regeneration process, the regenerated hydrogen A3 supplied to the regenerated hydrogen circulation line L4 through the regenerated hydrogen replenishment line L3 is supplied to the downstream side of the first dehumidifier 61 . Then, the adsorbent of the first dehumidifier 61 is heated to 150° C. to 200° C. by the built-in heater 61a, and the water content of the adsorbent is accompanied with the regenerated hydrogen A3. This dries the adsorbent and regenerates it.

The regenerated hydrogen A<b>3 that has been brought into a wet state by entraining water in the adsorbent flows out from the upstream side of the first dehumidifier 61 . The regenerated hydrogen A3 flowing out from the upstream side of the first dehumidifier 61 is supplied to the regenerated hydrogen tank 63 through the third automatic valve XV63. In the dehumidifier 6, when the internal pressure of the regenerated hydrogen tank 63 detected by the regenerated hydrogen pressure gauge P61 reaches or exceeds a predetermined starting condition pressure value, the regenerated hydrogen replenishment valve V62 closes and the pressure increasing unit 64 starts operating. do.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an operation example during normal operation of the heating regeneration process performed by the dehumidifier 6. As shown in FIG. FIG. 4 shows a state in which the first dehumidifier 61 is in heat regeneration operation and the second dehumidifier 62 is in dehumidification operation.

In the heat regeneration step, when the internal pressure of the regenerated hydrogen tank 63 exceeds the reference pressure value, the regenerated hydrogen replenishment valve V62 is closed as shown in FIG. As a result, the supply of the regenerated hydrogen A3 to the regenerated hydrogen circulation line L4 through the regenerated hydrogen replenishment line L3 is stopped, and the regenerated hydrogen circulation line L4 becomes a closed flow path. In addition, the boosting unit 64 starts operating to boost the pressure of the regenerated hydrogen A3. The regenerated hydrogen A3 pressurized by the pressurizing section 64 is cooled by the heat exchanger 65 and moisture is removed to some extent. Then, the regenerated hydrogen A3, from which some of the moisture has been removed by the heat exchanger 65, passes through the back pressure valve V65, the check valve V66, the second flow control valve V63, and the third check valve CV63 to the downstream side of the first dehumidifier 61. to regenerate the adsorbent. By supplying the regenerated hydrogen A3, which has been cooled by the heat exchanger 65 to remove some water content, to the first dehumidifier 61, the water content of the adsorbent is easily accompanied with the regenerated hydrogen A3. Therefore, the regeneration efficiency of the adsorbent can be enhanced.

After that, the wet regenerated hydrogen A3 flowing out of the first dehumidifier 61 circulates in the regenerated hydrogen circulation line L4, and in the process, is pressurized, cooled (moisture is removed), and depressurized, and then returned to the first dehumidifier 61. supplied and used repeatedly to regenerate the adsorbent.

In the subsequent cooling regeneration step, the adsorbent heated to a high temperature by the heating regeneration step is cooled by the regeneration hydrogen A3. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an operation example of the cooling regeneration process performed by the dehumidifier 6. As shown in FIG. FIG. 5 shows a state in which the first dehumidifier 61 is in cooling regeneration operation and the second dehumidifier 62 is in dehumidification operation.

As shown in FIG. 5, in the cooling regeneration process, the heater 61a built in the first dehumidifier 61 is turned off, and the regenerated hydrogen A3 continues to flow through the first dehumidifier 61. As shown in FIG. Thereby, the inside of the first dehumidifier 61 is cooled by the regenerated hydrogen A3.

Thus, in the regeneration step, the regenerated hydrogen A3 used for regenerating the adsorbent is repeatedly used for regenerating the adsorbent without being released to the atmosphere as in the conventional case. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the decrease in the production efficiency of the dry hydrogen A2 that accompanies the regeneration of the adsorbent.

Hydrogen is dissolved in the condensed water discharged from the heat exchanger 65 to the outside. Therefore, the amount of regenerated hydrogen A3 flowing through the regenerated hydrogen circulation line L4 gradually decreases. When the flow rate of the regenerated hydrogen A3 decreases and the internal pressure of the regenerated hydrogen circulation line L4 decreases, the hydrogen flow rate for regeneration becomes insufficient, making it difficult to continue the regeneration process.

Therefore, in the regeneration step, in order to maintain the internal pressure of the regenerated hydrogen circulation line L4 during the regeneration step, it is preferable to appropriately replenish the regenerated hydrogen A3 to the regenerated hydrogen circulation line L4 via the regenerated hydrogen replenishment line L3. For example, when the internal pressure of the regenerated hydrogen tank 63 detected by the regenerated hydrogen pressure gauge P61 falls below a predetermined replenishment reference pressure value (for example, atmospheric pressure: 0 MPa), the regenerated hydrogen A3 is supplied through the regenerated hydrogen replenishment line L3. may be replenished to the regenerated hydrogen circulation line L4. Specifically, when the pressurizing unit 64 is in operation and the internal pressure of the regenerated hydrogen tank 63 is lower than the atmospheric pressure, the regenerated hydrogen replenishment valve V62 opens. Also, when the internal pressure of the regenerated hydrogen tank 63 reaches a pressure slightly higher than the atmospheric pressure (for example, 0.05 MPag), the regenerated hydrogen replenishment valve V62 is closed. As a result, it is possible to secure the regenerated hydrogen A3 and continue the regeneration process stably.

Further, in the regeneration process described above, when the pressurizing unit 64 malfunctions and stops operating, it is preferable that the regenerated hydrogen replenishment valve V62 and the regenerated hydrogen exhaust valve V64 are opened. As a result, the regeneration process can be continued even when the operation of the pressurizing section 64 is stopped.

In the next tower switching step, the operation of the first dehumidifier 61 that has completed the regeneration step and the operation of the second dehumidifier 62 that has performed the dehumidification step is switched. This tower switching process includes a pressurization process, a parallel process and a switching process.

6A and 6B are schematic diagrams showing an operation example of the pressurizing step performed by the dehumidifier 6. FIG. FIG. 6 shows a state in which the first dehumidifier 61 is in boosting operation and the second dehumidifier 62 is in adsorption operation.

As shown in FIG. 6, in the pressurizing step, the second automatic valve XV62 is opened, and the first automatic valve XV61, the third automatic valve XV63 and the fourth automatic valve XV64 are closed. Also, since the third automatic valve XV63 is closed, the internal pressure of the first dehumidifier 61 rises, and the pressures of the first dehumidifier 61 and the second dehumidifier 62 are equalized. By equalizing the pressures of the first dehumidifier 61 and the second dehumidifier 62 , it is possible to prevent the adsorbent from flowing due to rapid pressurization of the first dehumidifier 61 .

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an operation example of a parallel process performed by the dehumidifier 6. FIG. FIG. 7 shows a state in which the first dehumidifier 61 and the second dehumidifier 62 are in adsorption operation. In the parallel process, both the first dehumidifier 61 and the second dehumidifier 62 are temporarily operated for adsorption.

As shown in FIG. 7, in the parallel process, the first automatic valve XV61 and the second automatic valve XV62 are opened, and the third automatic valve XV63 and the fourth automatic valve XV64 are closed. As a result, wet hydrogen A1 is supplied to the first dehumidifier 61 and the second dehumidifier 62 .

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing an operation example of the switching process performed by the dehumidifier 6. As shown in FIG. FIG. 8 shows a state in which the first dehumidifier 61 is in adsorption operation and the second dehumidifier 62 is in regeneration operation. In the switching step, the supply destination of wet hydrogen A1 is switched only to the first dehumidifier 61 .

As shown in FIG. 8, in the switching process, the first automatic valve XV61 and the fourth automatic valve XV64 are opened, and the second automatic valve XV62 and the third automatic valve XV63 are closed. As a result, the wet hydrogen A1 flows into the upstream side of the first dehumidifier 61 through the first automatic valve XV61. The dry hydrogen A2 after dehumidification flows out from the downstream side of the first dehumidifier 61 and flows into the dry hydrogen supply line L2 via the first check valve CV61.

Further, the regenerated hydrogen A3 flowing through the regenerated hydrogen circulation line L4 flows into the downstream side of the second dehumidifier 62, and the regeneration process described above is performed in the second dehumidifier 62. FIG.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the configuration for dehumidification by supplying hydrogen, which is one of the hydrogen and oxygen generated in the water electrolytic bath, to the dehumidifier has been described. However, the type of wet gas (gas to be treated) to be dehumidified by the dehumidifier is not limited to hydrogen. The wet gas may be any gas containing moisture, and may be oxygen or other gases (gases).

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but can be modified in various ways within the scope of the claims, and can be obtained by appropriately combining technical means disclosed in different embodiments. is also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

(summary)
A dehumidifying device according to aspect 1 of the present invention contains an adsorbent capable of adsorbing moisture, allows wet gas supplied from a wet gas supply line to flow in from one end, and dehumidifies the wet gas and supplies dry gas from the other end. After supplying the wet gas to the first dehumidifier and the second dehumidifier to flow out and dehumidifying the wet gas, the supply destination of the wet gas is switched from the first dehumidifier to the second dehumidifier. and a line switching mechanism for supplying part of the dry gas flowing out of the second dehumidifier from the other end of the first dehumidifier as regeneration gas for regenerating the adsorbent contained in the first dehumidifier. and a regeneration gas circulation line for circulating the regeneration gas used for regeneration of the adsorbent, which flows out from one end of the first dehumidifier, and supplies the regeneration gas to the other end of the first dehumidifier.

According to the above configuration, the regeneration gas that has flowed out of one end of the first dehumidifier and has been used to regenerate the adsorbent circulates through the regeneration gas circulation line and flows into the other end of the first dehumidifier again. Therefore, the regeneration gas used to regenerate the adsorbent can be repeatedly used to regenerate the adsorbent without being discharged into the atmosphere as in the conventional method. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a decrease in dry gas production efficiency due to the regeneration of the adsorbent.

Further, in the dehumidifying apparatus according to aspect 2 of the present invention, in aspect 1, the regeneration gas circulation line further includes a regeneration gas tank that stores the regeneration gas used for regeneration of the adsorbent.

According to the above configuration, since the regeneration gas used to regenerate the adsorbent is stored in the regeneration gas tank, the regeneration gas can be pressurized by the pressurizing unit at an appropriate timing and supplied to the first dehumidifier.

Moreover, in recent years, a method of electrolyzing water using renewable energy such as sunlight, converting the renewable energy into hydrogen, and storing the hydrogen has attracted attention. However, since renewable energy is affected by the weather and is unstable, there is a problem that the regeneration gas required for regeneration of the adsorbent cannot be stably supplied. According to the above configuration, even when the purpose is to convert such unstable renewable energy into hydrogen, hydrogen necessary for regeneration of the adsorbent can be stored by providing the regeneration gas tank. It becomes possible, and the regeneration of the adsorbent can be stably continued.

Further, in the dehumidifier according to aspect 3 of the present invention, in the aspect 2, the regeneration gas circulation line includes a boosting unit that boosts the regeneration gas supplied from the regeneration gas tank, and the It further includes a heat exchanger that cools the regenerated gas, and a pressure holding section that is arranged downstream of the heat exchanger and holds the internal pressure of the regenerated gas circulation line.

According to the above configuration, the regeneration gas used to regenerate the adsorbent is pressurized by the pressurizing section and then cooled by the heat exchanger. As a result, the moisture contained in the regeneration gas used to regenerate the adsorbent can be effectively removed and used as the regeneration gas. In addition, since condensed water can be reliably generated in the heat exchanger by holding the pressure by the pressure holding part, the efficiency of regeneration of the adsorbent can be improved and the regeneration time can be shortened.

In the dehumidifier according to aspect 4 of the present invention, in aspect 3, the regeneration gas circulation line further includes a decompression unit that decompresses the regeneration gas cooled by the heat exchanger.

According to the above configuration, by supplying the regeneration gas decompressed by the decompression unit to the first dehumidifier, the moisture in the adsorbent is easily accompanied with the regeneration gas. Therefore, the regeneration efficiency of the adsorbent can be enhanced.

A dehumidifier according to aspect 5 of the present invention is the dehumidifier according to aspects 1 to 4, further comprising a pressure gauge for detecting an internal pressure of the regeneration gas circulation line, wherein the internal pressure of the regeneration gas circulation line detected by the pressure gauge. is below a predetermined reference pressure value, the dry gas is replenished into the regeneration gas circulation line.

When the amount of regeneration gas flowing through the regeneration gas circulation line decreases and the internal pressure of the regeneration gas circulation line decreases, the dehumidification capability of the dehumidifier may decrease. According to the above configuration, when the internal pressure of the regeneration gas circulation line is equal to or lower than the predetermined reference pressure value, the dry gas is replenished to the regeneration gas circulation line, so that the deterioration of the dehumidifying ability of the dehumidifier can be suppressed. can.

1: Hydrogen Generator 2: Water Electrolyzer 6: Dehumidifier 61: First Dehumidifier 62: Second Dehumidifier 63: Regenerated Hydrogen Tank (Regenerated Gas Tank)
64: Boosting unit A1: Wet hydrogen (wet gas)
A2: Dry hydrogen (dry gas)
A3: Regenerated hydrogen (regenerated gas)
L1: wet hydrogen supply line (wet gas supply line)
L4: Regenerated hydrogen circulation line (regenerated gas circulation line)
P61: Regenerated hydrogen pressure gauge (pressure gauge)
V63: Second flow control valve (decompression part)
V65: Back pressure valve (pressure holding part)

Claims (5)

A first dehumidifier and a second dehumidifier that contain an adsorbent capable of adsorbing moisture, allow wet gas supplied from a wet gas supply line to flow in from one end, and allow dry gas obtained by dehumidifying the wet gas to flow out from the other end. When,
After supplying and dehumidifying the wet gas to the first dehumidifier, switching the supply destination of the wet gas from the first dehumidifier to the second dehumidifier, and the dry gas flowing out from the second dehumidifier A line switching mechanism that supplies a part of from the other end of the first dehumidifier as a regeneration gas for regenerating the adsorbent contained in the first dehumidifier;
a regeneration gas circulation line that flows out from one end of the first dehumidifier and circulates the regeneration gas used for regeneration of the adsorbent and supplies the regeneration gas to the other end of the first dehumidifier;
dehumidifier with. The dehumidifier according to claim 1, wherein the regeneration gas circulation line includes a regeneration gas tank that stores the regeneration gas used for regeneration of the adsorbent. The regeneration gas circulation line is
a boosting unit that pressurizes the regeneration gas supplied from the regeneration gas tank;
a heat exchanger for cooling the regeneration gas pressurized by the pressurizing section;
a pressure holding unit arranged downstream of the heat exchanger and holding the internal pressure of the regeneration gas circulation line;
3. The dehumidifier of claim 2, further comprising: The regeneration gas circulation line is
4. The dehumidifier according to claim 3, further comprising a decompression unit that decompresses the regeneration gas cooled by the heat exchanger. further comprising a pressure gauge for detecting the internal pressure of the regeneration gas circulation line,
5. The dry gas is replenished to the regeneration gas circulation line when the internal pressure of the regeneration gas circulation line detected by the pressure gauge is equal to or less than a predetermined reference pressure value. dehumidifier.

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