# US 5,350,442 A · Gas handling system and adsorbent dryer regeneration apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,350,442 A - Document ID: US5350442A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/103,002 - Filed: 1993-08-06 - Granted: 1994-09-27 - Earliest claimed: 1993-08-06 - Assignees: Pneumatic Products Corporation - Inventors: John E. Thelen; Sundar R. Mylavarapu - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5350442A ## CPC - B01D 53/0407: {Constructional details of adsorbing systems} - B01D 53/04: with stationary adsorbents {(B01D53/025 takes precedence)} - B01D 53/261: {by adsorption} - B01J 20/06: comprising oxides or hydroxides of metals not provided for in group B01J20/04 - B01J 20/18: Synthetic zeolitic molecular sieves - B01J 20/20: comprising free carbon; comprising carbon obtained by carbonising processes - B01J 20/3204: {Inorganic carriers, supports or substrates} - B01J 20/3236: {containing metal, other than zeolites, e.g. oxides, hydroxides, sulphides or salts} - B01J 20/3408: {of aluminosilicate molecular sieves} - B01J 20/3483: {by thermal treatment not covered by groups B01J20/3441 - B01J20/3475, e.g. by heating or cooling} - F17C 5/06: for filling with compressed gases - B01D 2253/102: Carbon - B01D 2253/112: Metals or metal compounds not provided for in B01D2253/104 or B01D2253/106 - B01D 2257/80: Water - B01D 2258/06: Polluted air - B01D 2259/4009: using hot gas - B01D 2259/402: using two beds - B01D 2259/4525: for storage and dispensing systems - B01D 2259/455: for transportable use - B01J 2220/56: Use in the form of a bed - F17C 2221/033: Methane, e.g. natural gas, CNG, LNG, GNL, GNC, PLNG - F17C 2223/0123: gaseous, e.g. CNG, GNC - F17C 2227/0157: Compressors - F17C 2227/0304: using an electric heater - F17C 2265/015: by separating - F17C 2265/065: for refuelling vehicle fuel tanks - F17C 2270/0139: Fuel stations - B01D: SEPARATION (separating solids from solids by wet methods B03B, B03D; by pneumatic jigs or tables B03B; by other dry methods B07; magnetic or electrostatic separation of solid materials from solid materials or fluids, separation by high-voltage electric fields B03C; centrifuges, vortex apparatus B04; presses per se for squeezing-out liquid from liquid-containing material B30B9/02; treatment of water C02F, e.g. softening by ion-exchange C02F1/42; {arrangements of air intake cleaners in gas turbine plants F02C7/05} ; arrangements or mounting of filters in air-conditioning, air-humidification or ventilation F24F13/28) - B01J: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS - F17C: VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES (storing fluids in natural or artificial cavities or chambers in the earth B65G5/00; construction or assembling of bulk storage containers employing civil-engineering techniques E04H7/00; variable-capacity gas-holders F17B; liquefaction or refrigeration machines, plants, or systems F25) ## Abstract A mobile regeneration apparatus is provided for regenerating dryers. The regeneration apparatus may be used to regenerate single tower desiccant dryers located at natural gas vehicle refueling stations. For optimum performance, each dryer may be located upstream of a respective compressor. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of handling gas, said method comprising the steps of: flowing a first gas through a first adsorbent dryer, using said dryer to dry said first gas, and subsequently compressing said first gas into a first storage vessel; flowing a second gas through a second adsorbent dryer, using said second adsorbent dryer to dry said second gas, and subsequently compressing said second gas into a second storage vessel, said second dryer being remote from said first dryer; and using a mobile regeneration apparatus to regenerate said first and second dryers. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said first gas is natural gas, and wherein said step of using said mobile regeneration apparatus includes the step of using an adsorbent bed of activated carbon impregnated with copper oxide to remove material from purged regenerating gas. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein said first gas is stored within said first storage vessel at a pressure within a range of from about thirty-six hundred to five thousand pounds per square inch. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3, wherein said first gas is dried to a pressure dew point of minus twenty degrees Fahrenheit at thirty-six hundred pounds per square inch. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, further comprising the step of moving said regeneration apparatus from said first dryer to said second dryer. ### Claim 6 A mobile regeneration apparatus for regenerating an adsorbent dryer, said apparatus comprising: a conduit system for connecting said apparatus to the adsorbent dryer; a blower for causing regenerating fluid to flow through the adsorbent dryer; a heater for heating the regenerating fluid, said heater being connected to said blower by said conduit system; a cooler for cooling the regenerating fluid, said cooler being connected to said heater by said conduit system; and a separator for removing water from the regenerating fluid, said separator being located between said cooler and said heater, said separator being connected to said heater and said cooler by said conduit system. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The mobile regeneration apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a portable skid, said blower, said heater, said cooler, and said separator being located on said skid. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The mobile regeneration apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a motor for operating said blower, said motor being located on said skid. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The mobile regeneration apparatus of claim 8, wherein said skid includes openings for receiving fork lift tongues. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The mobile regeneration apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a housing for enclosing said heater, said blower, said cooler, and said separator. ### Claim 11 (depends on 5) The mobile regeneration apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a control system for operating and monitoring said apparatus. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The mobile regeneration apparatus of claim 11, wherein said control system includes a control panel, said control panel being located on said housing. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The mobile regeneration apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a valve system for redirecting the regenerating fluid through the dryer to cool the dryer, said valve system being located within said conduit system. ### Claim 14 (depends on 6) The mobile regeneration apparatus of claim 6, further comprising hoses for connecting said blower to the adsorbent dryer. ### Claim 15 A system for refueling natural gas vehicles, said system comprising: a first refueling station including a storage vessel, a compressor for compressing natural gas into said storage vessel, and an adsorbent dryer for drying the natural gas, said compressor being located between said adsorbent dryer and said storage vessel, said storage vessel being connected to said compressor by a first conduit, said compressor being connected to said dryer by a second conduit; a second refueling station including a storage vessel, an adsorbent dryer, and a compressor, said second refueling station being remote from said first refueling station, said storage vessel of said second refueling station being connected to said compressor of said second refueling station by a third conduit, said compressor of said second refueling station being connected to said adsorbent dryer of said second refueling station by a fourth conduit; and a mobile regeneration apparatus for regenerating said adsorbent dryers. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, wherein said regeneration apparatus comprises: a conduit system for connecting said apparatus to said first and second refueling stations; a blower for circulating regenerating fluid through said dryers; a heater for heating the regenerating fluid, said heater being connected to said blower by said conduit system; a cooler for cooling the regenerating fluid, said cooler being connected to said heater by said conduit system; and a separator for removing water from the regenerating fluid, said separator being located between said cooler and said heater, said separator being connected to said heater and said cooler by said conduit system. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The system of claim 16, wherein said mobile regeneration apparatus includes a portable skid, with said blower, said heater, said cooler, and said separator being located on said skid. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The system of claim 17, wherein said mobile regeneration apparatus includes a control system for operating and monitoring said apparatus. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The system of claim 17, wherein said mobile regeneration apparatus includes a valve system for cooling said adsorbent dryers, said valve system being located within said conduit system. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The system of claim 17, wherein said mobile regeneration apparatus includes a housing for enclosing said blower, said heater, said cooler, and said separator.