AFTERCOOLER WITH INTEGRAL BYPASS LINE

摘要

An aftercooler apparatus condenses vapor in untreated gas discharged from a compressor of a gas drying system. The apparatus includes a radiator, a bypass line and a bypass valve. The radiator features a first inlet, a second inlet and an outlet. The first inlet connects to the compressor from which it receives the untreated gas. The outlet connects to the next component in the gas drying system. The radiator condenses the vapor suspended in the untreated gas and passes aftercooled gas resulting therefrom via its outlet to the next component. The bypass line, through which the untreated gas may flow, connects at one end between the compressor and the first inlet and at another end to the second inlet. The bypass valve senses the difference in pressure between the first inlet and the outlet. The bypass valve also controls the flow of the untreated gas in response to the difference in pressure. When the difference in pressure is below a preset value, the bypass valve closes thereby allowing the untreated gas to flow into the first inlet and through the radiator wherefrom the aftercooled gas passes to the next component while carrying therewith the condensed moisture for expulsion from the system. When the difference in pressure reaches or exceeds the preset value, the bypass valve opens thereby diverting the flow of the untreated gas through the bypass line and into the second inlet so as to defrost in the radiator frozen moisture accumulated therein that caused the difference in pressure.