Energy conversion systems: The case study of compressed air, an introduction to a new simulation toolbox

2014 IEEE Industry Application Society Annual Meeting

2014

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In this work the application of Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP) techniques is proposed for choosing the optimal topology of an air compressor room, while (i) focusing on energy efficiency and (ii) keeping the input power to the lowest value. Usually the proposal of the best configuration (type of machines, size and number) is driven by the experience of the personnel performing the assessment, according to his own knowledge of the available products/machines on the market.The paper proposes the formulation of two optimization problems which enable (i) to perform the best configuration of a compressor room, according with an available machines database; (ii) to ensure that the best choice implies the minimization of the input power for the compressor room, thus, the minimum consumption for the end-user. The presented formulations are tested using both simulated and real case studies, showing how a higher level of knowledge of the flow profile can help in the reduction of the energy consumption. It will be also demonstrated that important energy savings improvements can be obtained if we compare the choices derived from our methodology with real compressor rooms, whose choice was done without applying such method, as it may happen on the market.

Section: Introducing the Case Study And The Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mixed-integer linear programming for the optimal design and management of air compressor rooms

2014 IEEE Industry Application Society Annual Meeting

2014

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“…The reduction of the control range allows to reduce the compression work time, if the controlling technique is suitable designed. Typically, the best performance can be obtained by using microprocessor-based system controls, without violating the imposed requirements 1 The subscript g stands for gauge. on the quality of service.…”

Section: A Typical Layout Of a Compressed Air Systemmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…To overstep this aspect, the use of simulation toolbox for compressed air systems is getting more and more interesting. The main simulators, available in literature, are free of charge [1], [11], [10] or charged with a fee [3]. Additionally, through the topology optimization of the compressor room and the improvement of their control techniques, it is possible to further improve the overall energy efficiency of 20% − 25% [8].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A new proposal of a centralized configuration for a multilevel pressure network: A real time controller in closed loop

IECON 2013 - 39th Annual Conference of the IEEE Industrial Electronics Society

2013

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A compressed air system feeds several end-users, each of them requiring air at a proper pressure; from an energy saving point of view, the network should work at the lowest functional pressure that meets production requirements. When different working pressures occur in the same plant, a rank of the final end-user, based on their operating pressure, is necessary; for each of the identified end-user macro-group, a decentralized set of compressors could be designed, thus involving higher installation and maintenance costs.This paper introduces to a new configuration in the compressed air production, when several operative pressures exist. The new network layout deals with a single compressor, fixed speed-electrically driven, and a centralized type of production, alternative to and more efficient of a decentralized one. A closed loop control method for a radial multilevel pressure air network is presented. Using a multilevel pressure compressor, instead of n independent smaller compressors, it is possible to provide air to different networks, by properly operated valves on the compressor. A set of suitably controlled valves intercepts air at the desired pressure level and feeds the networks while their operation guarantees that each pressure level is kept inside safe ranges. The centralized compressed air production is made possible by inheriting the real time scheduling theory: the idea is to state how to design a valves opening and closing sequence, delivering the required air amount to end-users, guaranteeing, at the same time, a proper pressure level inside each of the systems. In this way, higher efficiencies of bigger machines can be better exploited for the sake of energy saving.A theoretical case study with three different networks, operating in the range of 0.75, 1.0 and 1.3 M P ag is proposed. The following proposal integrates a previous work, besides, future developments are also anticipated.

“…To overcome this aspect, the use of a simulation toolbox for compressed air systems is getting more and more interesting. The main simulators, available in literature, are either free of charge [1], [13], [14] or charged with a fee [4]. Additionally, through the topology optimization of the compressor room and the improvement of their control techniques [10], it is possible to further improve the overall energy efficiency by 20%-25%.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Simulation and Performance Comparison of a Real-Time Controller for a Fixed-Speed Multipressure Compressor

IEEE Trans. on Ind. Applicat.

2015

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This paper introduces a new configuration in the compressed air production, which aims for a more efficient energy layout and innovative air network control and feeding. The target is achieved by applying a real-time earliest-deadline-first (EDF) scheduling technique to the management of the air production and delivery, seen as an energy service. The control action in a closed loop is applied to the activation/deactivation of valves, delivering air to networks operating at different pressure levels. The new configuration deals with a single compressor, which has a fixed speed and is electrically driven, and a centralized type of production, which is an alternative and is more efficient to a decentralized one. A set of suitably controlled valves intercepts air at the desired pressure level and feeds the networks while their operation guarantees that each pressure level is kept inside safe ranges. The algorithm integrates with a previous work. Future developments are also anticipated.