초록 ▼

A method and apparatus for removing water from compressed air is disclosed. The method includes the steps of passing a stream of compressed air through a pressure swing adsorption (PSA) dryer. The dryer includes at least one vessel containing a desiccant material bound into pieces, for example tubes

A method and apparatus for removing water from compressed air is disclosed. The method includes the steps of passing a stream of compressed air through a pressure swing adsorption (PSA) dryer. The dryer includes at least one vessel containing a desiccant material bound into pieces, for example tubes, using a polymer binder. The PSA dryer also has a control system for controlling the flow of the compressed air and switching between drying and purging modes. In particular the vessel and desiccant material contained therein are sized to produce a dew point suppression of less than 50° C.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method of removing water from compressed air comprising, passing a stream of compressed air through a pressure swing adsorption dryer, the dryer including: at least one vessel containing at least one desiccant material formed into desiccant members using a polymer binder; andat least one contro

1. A method of removing water from compressed air comprising, passing a stream of compressed air through a pressure swing adsorption dryer, the dryer including: at least one vessel containing at least one desiccant material formed into desiccant members using a polymer binder; andat least one control system for controlling the flow of said compressed air and switching the flow of said compressed air between a drying mode and a purging mode,wherein said vessel and said desiccant material contained therein are sized to produce a dew point suppression of less than 50° C., andwherein said desiccant members comprise a plurality of tubes extending along said vessel. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said vessel receives compressed air with a dew point of up to 50° C. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein said desiccant material produces compressed air with dew points of greater than −10° C. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein said dryer is not provided with means for heating the desiccant material during the purging mode. 5. A method of removing water from compressed air comprising, passing a stream of compressed air through a pressure swing adsorption dryer, the dryer including: at least one vessel containing a plurality of tubes extending along said vessel, the plurality of tubes formed from a desiccant material bound by a polymer binder; andat least one control system for controlling the flow of said compressed air and switching the flow of said compressed air between a drying mode and a purging mode,wherein said vessel and said desiccant material contained therein are sized to produce a dew point suppression of less than 50° C., andwherein said stream of compressed air flows through the plurality of tubes.