Patent ID: 7070393

Claim:
A method for regulating a compressor installation having at least one compressor element ( 6 ), and, a pressure conduit ( 11 ) including at least one cooler ( 17 ), at least one water separator ( 18 ) and a dryer ( 2 ) of the type comprising a pressure vessel ( 24 ) with a drying zone ( 3 ) and a regeneration zone ( 4 ), a rotor ( 25 ) rotating in this pressure vessel ( 24 ), the rotor being filled with a regenerable drying agent, the method comprising the steps of: driving the compressor element ( 6 ) by an electric motor ( 9 ), a portion of the compressed air delivered by the compressor element ( 6 ) being branched off before being cooled in the cooler ( 17 ) and supplied by means of a branch ( 15 ) to the regeneration zone ( 4 ) and, after cooling down and separation of the condensed water, being fed back to the pressure conduit ( 11 ); continuously rotating the rotor ( 25 ) in the dryer ( 2 ) by means of an electric motor ( 33 ), such that the drying agent is continuously moved from the drying zone ( 3 ) to the regeneration zone ( 4 ) and back to the drying zone ( 3 ); and regulating the speed of the motor ( 9 ) driving the compressor element ( 6 ) as a function of the consumption of compressed gas, whereas the speed of the motor ( 33 ) driving the rotor ( 25 ) of the dryer ( 2 ) is regulated in function of at least one parameter of the compressed gas which is fed through the dryer ( 2 ); wherein the motor ( 9 ) driving the compressor element ( 6 ) and the motor ( 33 ) driving the rotor ( 25 ) of the dryer ( 2 ) are regulated by one and the same regulation device ( 13 ) as a function of the consumption.