Jeffrey T Powell

US Patent:

52715574, Dec 21, 1993

Filed:

Apr 2, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/866888

Inventors:

R. Larry Lynch - Seattle WA
Jeffrey Powell - Bellingham WA

Assignee:

Univar Corporation - Kirkland WA

International Classification:

B01D 342
G05D 2200

US Classification:

236 44R

Abstract:

The present invention provides a process for decreasing the relative humidity of a gaseous or vaporous process stream, while increasing the temperature thereof. A preferred embodiment of the process of the present invention is implemented using a bleed valve, a positive displacement blower located downstream therefrom, and a control mechanism for opening and closing the bleed valve. When opened, the bleed valve preferably permits ambient air to admix with the gaseous process feed stream to form the blower feed stream. Increased blower gas throughput results in a lower magnitude gas temperature increase across the blower. The control mechanism used in the practice of the present invention involves monitoring the temperature of the blower effluent (or the gaseous feed to a downstream unit operation), and controlling operation of the bleed valve in accordance with that temperature reading.