US3585808A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for drying compressed gases
Assignee: First Union National Bank of North Carolina
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Filing: 1969-02-17
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Granted: 1971-06-22
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Expires: 1989-02-17
Abstract
Abstract Compressed gases are dried by heat exchanging them with a refrigerating fluid in a closed refrigeration circuit. The chilled gases are then reheated to use temperature by being heat exchanged with condensing refrigerating fluid. The refrigerating fluid is also heat exchanged with ambient air in a condenser connected in parallel or in series with the compressed gas reheater. Color indicating means may be used in conjunction with the reheater for indicating product gas humidity and dryer performance.
Inventors
- 👤 Lowell E Huffman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 18:03
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D5/00; B01D5/0033; B01D5/0039; B01D5/0036; B01D51/00; B01D51/10; B01D53/00; B01D53/26; B01D53/265
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
188 words
Dryer apparatus for compressed gas of the refrigerated type comprising a first heat exchanger adapted to present compressed gas to be dried and refrigerating fluid to be evaporated in heat transfer relationship, water separator means mounted adjacent said first heat exchanger adapted to collect water condensing from said compressed gas in said first heat exchanger and to discharge said water from contact with the gas while preventing substantial loss of gas, a second heat exchanger adapted to present relatively dry cool compressed gas and refrigerating fluid to be condensed in heat transfer relationship, a third heat exchanger adapted to present ambient air and refrigerating fluid to be condensed in heat transfer relationship, compressor means for said refrigerating fluid, expansion means for said refrigerating fluid, gas conducting means establishing a flow path for compressed gas from an inlet point through said first heat exchanger, and then through said second heat exchanger, to an outlet point, and conduit means for said refrigerating fluid connecting said expansion means, first heat exchanger and compressor in series, and further connecting said second and third heat exchangers between said compressor and said expansion means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
176 words
Dryer apparatus for compressed gas of the refrigerated type comprising a first heat exchanger adapted to present compressed gas to be dried and refrigerating fluid to be evaporated in heat transfer relationship, water separator means mounted adjacent said first heat exchanger adapted to collect water condensing from said compressed gas in said first heat exchanger and to discharge said water from contact with the gas while preventing substantial loss of gas, a second heat exchanger adapted to present relatively dry cool compressed gas and refrigerating fluid to be condensed in heat transfer relationship, a third heat exchanger adapted to present ambient air and refrigerating fluid to be condensed in heat transfer relationship, gas conducting means establishing a flow path for compressed gas from an inlet point through said first heat exchanger and then said second heat exchanger, to an outlet point, and a closed circuit compression-condensation-expansion-vaporization refrigeration fluid system including conduit means delivering refrigerating fluid to be evaporated to said first heat exchanger and refrigerating fluid to be condensed to said secoNd and third heat exchangers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 in which said conduit means deliver refrigerating fluid to be condensed in parallel flow paths to said second and third heat exchangers, said conduit means including distribution means providing for simultaneous delivery of said refrigerating fluid to said second and third heat exchangers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 in which said conduit means deliver refrigerating fluid to be condensed first to said third heat exchanger and then to said second heat exchanger.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
86 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 further comprising a transparent wall for said second heat exchanger rendering the gas side thereof visible to an external observer for a substantial portion of the gas flow path through said second heat exchanger, and indicating means changing color at a selected relative humidity positioned in said second heat exchanger on the gas side thereof in a location visible through said transparent wall, said indicating means extending along a substantial portion of the gas flow path through said second heat exchanger.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
98 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 in which said first and second heat exchangers are of the tube and shell type, and in which the compressed gas flows therethrough on the shell side, and further comprising a common generally cylindrical shell for said first and second heat exchangers, said shell being oriented to position said first heat exchanger at a level lower than the second, said water separator means including trap means mounted below said first heat exchanger, and said refrigeration system including refrigerating fluid expansion means positioned within said shell and connecting said second and first heat exchangers.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
112 words
A method for drying compressed gas by refrigerating it through the use of a closed circuit compression-condensation-expansion-vaporization refrigeration fluid system comprising heat exchanging gas to be dried against liquid refrigerating fluid, thereby cooling the gas and condensing water from it, and evaporating refrigerating fluid, separating the condensed water from contact with the gas, collecting and compressing the evaporated refrigerating fluid, heat exchanging cooled gas with at least part of the compressed refrigerating fluid, thereby warming the gas and reducing its relative humidity, and condensing compressed refrigerating fluid, concurrently heat exchanging ambient air with at least part of the compressed refrigerating fluid, and removing warmed and dried gas to a point of use.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method according to claim 8 in which said compressed refrigerating fluid is heat exchanged with cooled gas and with ambient air in parallel streams, and in which at least part of said compressed refrigerating fluid is condensed by heat exchange with ambient air.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
153 words
A method for drying compressed gas by refrigerating it through the use of a closed circuit compression-condensation-expansion-vaporization refrigeration fluid system comprising heat exchanging gas to be dried against liquid refrigerating fluid, thereby cooling the gas and condensing water from it, and evaporating refrigerating fluid, separating the condensed water from contact with the gas, collecting and compressing the evaporated refrigerating fluid, heat exchanging cooled gas with at least part of the compressed refrigerating fluid, thereby warming the gas and reducing its relative humidity, and condensing compressed refrigerating fluid, heat exchanging ambient air with at least part of the compressed refrigerating fluid, removing warmed and dried gas to a point of use and exposing said gas during the warming thereof to an indicator changing color at a selected relative humidity extending along the path of flow of the gas being warmed, thereby obtaining a measure of the relative humidity of the warmed and dried gas.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
86 words
In the method of drying compressed gas by cooling it to a temperature below its dew point and reheating it along a flow path to a use temperature, the improvement which comprises exposing saId gas during the reheating thereof to an indicator changing color at a selected relative humidity distributed along said flow path thereby establishing a line of color demarcation in said indicator the position of which along said flow path is a function of the relative humidity of said gas at its use temperature.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-06-21 | 1974-12-21 | 1975-06-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-06-21 | 1978-12-21 | 1979-06-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-06-21 | 1982-12-21 | 1983-06-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |