Method and apparatus for drying compressed air

Abstract

A method and apparatus for reducing the moisture content of a gas stream is provided. The apparatus includes a shell having a least one tube disposed therein and a condensate trap attached to the shell. A gas stream inlet and outlet are provided so that the gas stream may flow through tubes or shell, and preferably through the tubes although it is contemplated to flow the gas stream through the shell side. The drying apparatus further includes a coolant and/or volatile fluid inlet and outlet to flow a fluid such as, but not limited to, water, alcohol, or acetone to cool the gas stream and condense moisture contained therein. The drying apparatus and method of the present invention may further include a vaporization unit for vaporizing the volatile fluid with a stream of gas such as air to form a cool vapor cloud to pass through the drying apparatus.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.