NL7610120A - Pressure vessel for drying compressed air by heat exchange - has only one end cover, facilitating production, inspection and assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A dryer for compressed air and similar gaseous substances comprises a cylindrical pressure vessel in which there is a coaxial mantle shorter in alkali length. This is open at both ends to enclosed side chambers and between the inner mantle and the inner surface of the vessel an annular cavity is formed in which there is a first heat exchanger. A feed for the air to be dried opens into the annular cavity which is connected by the end chamber farther away from the inlet for the air, to the inside of the inner mantle in which there is a second heat exchanger, through which a refrigerant flows. The pipes of the first heat exchanger are bent into a 'U', and their ends are secured in a single ringform support wall, which can be pushed into place from the open side of the vessel, and is sealed all round from the pipes to the inner mantle and the vessel inner wall. Between the support wall and the end cover of the vessel there is a cylindrical dividing wall forming two coaxial chambers. The inner row of holes joining the 'U'-form pipes of the first heat exchanger open into the inner chamber whilst the outer ring of holes open into the outer chamber. The vessel needs only one end cover and is thus easier and cheaper to produce and assemble. Seals are required only at one end whilst the advantages of conventional dryers are maintained. Since the tubes of the first heat exchanger are 'U'-shaped they can be inspected also from one end.