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ISSN Online: 2379-1748

7th Thermal and Fluids Engineering Conference (TFEC)
SJR: 0.152 SNIP: 0.14 CiteScore™:: 0.5

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Clarivate CPCI (Proceedings) Scopus
May, 15-18, 2022 , Las Vegas, NV, USA

A VERIFICATION OF ENERGY SAVINGS IN AIR COMPRESSORS UNDER LOAD/UNLOAD CONDITIONS THROUGH RECEIVER STORAGE

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DOI: 10.1615/TFEC2022.ens.040919

Abstract

Energy efficiency has become an increasingly important sector for industries to focus on due to both the major economic incentives present and the environmental benefits of reducing carbon footprint. In air compressor systems, many control schemes exist for managing compressor output levels such that a target pressure or the pressure band that is maintained through the varying loading conditions present in any industrial setting. Despite the recent adoptions of variable frequency drives (VFDs) and slider valve by many industrial settings, "Load/Unload" systems still see common use due to the relatively high efficiency for the cost associated with them. There is a common graph, often called the "Banana Curve", used as reference for potential energy savings within Load/Unload systems where increasing system storage grants greater energy efficiency, though with some diminishing returns. The goal of this paper is to verify the available graphs since original testing data is not available. Additionally, it is within the scope of the paper to help describe why the energy savings occur when storage is increased. Outcomes of this study could help engineers to quantify the savings in energy and cost of compressed air systems in a more accurate way.