Refrigeration-type dryer apparatus and method

Abstract

A method, apparatus, and means for air drying is provided. The invention provides a refrigerant system to cool a heat exchanger comprising a phase change material. Vaporous fluids, including compressed air and gas, may be cooled using the invention disclosed.

1 . An air dryer for drying air, comprising: 
 a refrigerant system and    a heat exchanger comprising a phase change material,    wherein the refrigerant system is adapted for cooling the heat exchanger.    
   
   
       2 . An air dryer according to  claim 1 , wherein the air is selected from a group consisting of gas, compressed gas and compressed air.  
   
   
       3 . An air dryer according to  claim 1 , further comprising a condensate separator.  
   
   
       4 . An air dryer according to  claim 1 , wherein the condensate separator further comprises a wire mesh.  
   
   
       5 . An air dryer according to  claim 1 , wherein the wire mesh comprises stainless steel, copper, or plastic.  
   
   
       6 . An air dryer according to  claim 1 , wherein the phase change material changes from solid to liquid and from liquid to solid.  
   
   
       7 . An air dryer according to  claim 6 , wherein the phase change material is an organic paraffin.  
   
   
       8 . An air dryer according to  claim 1 , wherein the heat exchanger comprises an air-to-air exchanger and an air-to-refrigerant exchanger.  
   
   
       9 . An air dryer according to  claim 8 , wherein the air-to-refrigerant exchanger comprises the phase change material.  
   
   
       10 . A method of drying air, which method comprises: 
 providing a refrigerant system and    a heat exchanger comprising a phase change material, and    using the refrigerant system for cooling the heat exchanger.    
   
   
       11 . A method of drying air according to  claim 10 , wherein the air is selected from a group consisting of gas, compressed gas and compressed air.  
   
   
       12 . A method of drying air according to  claim 10 , further comprising a condensate separator.  
   
   
       13 . A method of drying air according to  claim 10 , wherein the condensate separator further comprises a wire mesh.  
   
   
       14 . A method of drying air according to  claim 10 , wherein the wire mesh comprises stainless steel, copper, or plastic.  
   
   
       15 . A method of drying air according to  claim 10 , wherein the phase change material changes from solid to liquid and from liquid to solid.  
   
   
       16 . A method of drying air according to  claim 10 , wherein the phase change material is an organic paraffin.  
   
   
       17 . A method of drying air according to  claim 10 , wherein the heat exchanger comprises an air-to-air exchanger and an air-to-refrigerant exchanger.  
   
   
       18 . A method of drying air according to  claim 17 , wherein the air-to-refrigerant exchanger comprises the phase change material.  
   
   
       19 . A means for drying air, comprising: 
 a refrigeration means and    a heat exchanger means comprising a phase change material,    wherein the refrigeration means is adapted for cooling the heat exchanger means.    
   
   
       20 . A means for drying air according to  claim 19 , wherein the air is selected from a group consisting of gas, compressed gas and compressed air.  
   
   
       21 . A means for drying air according to  claim 19 , further comprising a condensate separator.  
   
   
       22 . A means for drying air according to  claim 19 , wherein the condensate separator further comprises a wire mesh.  
   
   
       23 . A means for drying air according to  claim 19 , wherein the wire mesh comprises stainless steel, copper, or plastic.  
   
   
       24 . A means for drying air according to  claim 19 , wherein the phase change material changes from solid to liquid and from liquid to solid.  
   
   
       25 . A means for drying air according to  claim 19 , wherein the phase change material is an organic paraffin.  
   
   
       26 . A means for drying air according to  claim 19 , wherein the heat exchanger comprises an air-to-air exchanger and an air-to-refrigerant exchanger.  
   
   
       27 . A means for drying air according to  claim 26 , wherein the air-to-refrigerant exchanger comprises the phase change material.