Module 11
Module 11
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
In this module you will learn about:
General Objectives:
☞ Compressed Air Systems
COMPRESSED AIR
Specific Objectives:
☞ Compressed Air Fundamentals
☞ Air Compressor Controls
☞ High Cost of Air Leaks and Misuse
☞ Simple Compressor Tests for System Air Leaks
☞ Compressor Plant Efficiency Optimization
☞ How to Evaluate Energy Management Measures
Performance Objectives:
After successfully completing this module you will be able to:
☞ Conduct simple air system leak tests,
SYSTEMS
☞ Evaluate the cost of air leaks,
☞ Optimize the compressor plant efficiency,
☞ Evaluate benefits of compressed air systems
energy conservation strategies.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 INTRODUCTION..............................................................................1
6.0 ASSIGNMENT...............................................................................12
Compressed air systems are widely used in industry, accounting for some
10% of all industrial electrical power consumption. There are many
reasons why compressed air as a source of power is preferred over
other forms of energy. It is clean to use, can be stored, and does not
pose a health or fire hazard. There is a tendency to treat it as a free
commodity. It is not a cheap power source and its mismanagement
can result in significant energy waste. The factors most commonly
found responsible for this energy loss are air leaks, unnecessary use of
compressed air for cleaning, and improper system layout. A properly
designed and maintained compressed air system can contribute
significantly to improving the energy efficiency of an operation.
Air Compressors are mechanical devices which draw in air and discharge it
at a higher pressure, usually into a piping system or storage tank.
Compressors can be described as either positive displacement (using
pistons or rotors) or dynamic (using impellers or blades). In the former
group, reciprocating and rotary screw compressors are the most
common types utilized in the SADC Region. Although compressors are
driven by a variety of prime movers, including internal combustion and
steam engines, in this procedure only electric motor drives are
considered.
One type of unloading control cycles the compressor between full output
and idle,
i.e. full output when the system pressure falls to the low pressure set point,
The behaviour of air generally conforms to the Ideal Gas Laws. Thus for
changes in pressure, temperature or volume in a given air mass, the
initial and final conditions may be equated as follows:
P1 x V1
P2 x V2
T1 = T2
where:
P1, P2 = initial and final pressures (kPa
absolute) [kPaabsolute = kPagauge + 101.325]
V1, V2 = initial and final volumes (L)
T1, T2 = initial and final temperatures (°K) [°K = °C + 273.15]
where:
Q1, Q2 = initial and final air flow rates (L/s)
Figure 11.1
AIR COMPRESSOR P.V. DIAGRAM
0.231
Pd
Wt = 0.00433 x Pi x Q x N x N
– 1
fa Pi
wher
e: Wt = ideal compression power (kW)
Pi = inlet pressure (kPaabsolute)
Qf = equivalent free air flow rate (L/s)
a
N = number of compression stages
Pd = discharge pressure (kPaabsolute)
("0.00433", "0.231" and "1" are equation constants taking into account the specific heat of air
and unit conversions)
The air utilized by the plant systems is the largest component of the
overall compressed air cost. Assuming process requirements for
compressed air are fixed, there is little that can be done to reduce this
cost factor. However, personnel often use compressed air for such
activities as cleaning dusty surfaces and clothes. As illustrated in
Figure 11.2, this misuse can lead to unnecessary energy consumption
which reults in increased energy cost to the plant.
Figure 11.2
AIR LEAKAGE COST
Hole Air Power Required Annual
Diameter Leakage for Cost of
(mm) at 6 bar Compression Leak ($/y)
(L/s) (kW)
1 1 0.3 150
3 10 3.1 1,550
5 27 8.3 4,150
10 105 33.0 16,500
Costs are based on 2,000 h/y operation with an electrical demand cost of
US$300/kW/y and an energy cost of US$0.10/kWh.
Reducing the temperature of the compressor intake air will reduce the
compressor power required to achieve the same air discharge pressure
and capacity. This can often be accomplished by simply installing an
air intake duct from outside the building instead of drawing air from the
warmer plant environment. The reduced power requirement can be
calculated from the following equation which is derived from the ideal
compression power equation:
W2 = W1 x { 1 + [ 0.00341 x ( T2 – T1 )]}
where:
W1, W2 = initial and final ideal compression powers (kW)
T1, T2 = initial and final inlet air temperatures (°K)
If the pressure of the inlet air can be raised (i.e. reduced pressure drop
at inlet), there will be a decrease in the required compression power for
the same air flow capacity and discharge pressure. This can be
accomplished in various ways, such as replacing intake filters, or
revising ductwork. The revised power requirement can be calculated
from the following equation which has been derived from the ideal
compression power equation:
W1 x P1 x F1
W2 =
P2 x F2
where:
W1, W2 = initial and final ideal compression powers (kW)
P1, P2 = initial and final inlet air pressures (kPaabsolute)
F1, F2 = factors of initial and final inlet air pressures, determined from
the ideal compression power equation as follows:
0.231 0.231
F1 = Pd N
– 1 and F2 = Pd N
– 1
P1 P2
This test consists of timing the "load" and "unload" cycle of the air
compressor as it supplies only the air lost through leakage in the
distribution system, i.e. with all users of compressed air shut off. When
switched on, the compressor brings up the air pressure to the
maximum set point and then unloads. With no air leakage the pressure
would remain constant and the compressor would remain in the
unloaded mode. Air leakage would cause the pressure to drop and
when the minimum set point is reached, the compressor would then
switch to the load mode. The compressor would cycle between the
load and unload modes as required to maintain air pressure. Typically,
the key requirement from a leakage test is the power and energy
usage associated with leakage. This information can be obtained by
measuring the power drawn by the compressor during both the load
and the unload cycles. The power required during the "unload" period
is usually much less than during the "load" part of the cycle.
The power associated with air leakage can then be calculated directly by
the
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Module 11 - Compressed Air Systems ....
following equation:
kW = ( Wloaded – Wunloaded ) T
x T + t
where:
Wloaded
= Power requirement during "loaded" mode (kW)
Wunloaded = Power requirement during "unloaded" mode (kW)
T = Time running "loaded" (sec)
t = Time running "unloaded" (sec)
kWh = kW x h
(Note that in the above analysis, the additional power and energy loss associated
with leakage can be determined without knowing the quantity of air leaked or
even the capacity air flow of the compressor.)
• Worked Example
During a plant shut down a simplified air leakage test was carried
out on a compressed air system supplied by a reciprocating
compressor. The compressor was equipped with an on-line/off-line
output control. During the test, the compressor fed only the air
piping system; all equipment service lines being isolated. Air
leakage in the piping system resulted in the compressor cycling
between loaded and unloaded modes. Measurements made during
the load and unload modes are tabulated in Figure 11.3:
Figure 11.3
LEAKAGE TEST DATA
Electrical Data Cycle Time Data
From the measured time data the average on-line time (based on 5
full cycles) was 5.64 seconds and the average off-line time was
19.83 seconds for a total cycle time of 25.47 seconds [5.64 +
19.83]. The on-line time represents 22% of the total time [5.64 /
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Module 11 - Compressed Air Systems ....
25.47].
5.64
= ( 78.0 – 13.0 ) x
5.64 + 19.83
= 14.4 kW
This air leakage test is suitable for positive displacement compressors having suction
valve unloading or similar linear modulation control. It cannot be used with centrifugal
or any compressors having non-linear inlet throttling.
The test must also be conducted during plant shutdown and with all air
users isolated from the air supply system. Measurements are taken of
the power input to the compressor motor when the compressor is
isolated from the air distribution system, i.e. with the compressor outlet
valve closed, and when the compressor is feeding only the air
distribution system. On an air tight system both power input
measurements should be the same. Any difference in the power inputs
will be due to the compressor supplying air leakage.
air escape from the system, the compressor will run at full capacity but the system
pressure will probably be less than at normal operation.) If manufacturer's data
are not available, the full load power can be estimated from the full
load amperage rating on the compressor motor. This approach will
produce erroneous results, however, if the motor is oversized.
• Worked Example
A simplified air leakage test was carried out during plant shut down
on a compressed air system which utilizes a single stage screw
compressor. The compressor was switched to the modulating
control mode. Two measurements of the electrical power input to
the compressor were taken: 1) when feeding the air piping system,
with all equipment service lines isolated (leakage air flow only); and
2) with the compressor air outlet valve closed, i.e. compressor off
line.
Figure 11.4
Voltage Amperage P.F. Demand
V A kW
On- Phase A 220 66.6 0.72 10.55
Line Phase B 221 68.5 0.72 10.90
Phase C 220 66.6 0.72 10.55
Total Demand Power 32.00
Off- Phase A 220 44.5 0.55 5.39
Line Phase B 221 44.5 0.55 5.31
Phase C 220 43.8 0.55 5.30
Total Demand Power 16.00
The rated capacity of the compressor and the associated full load
power demand, obtained from manufacturer's data, are 124 L/s free
air flow and 52 kW, respectively.
the two extreme operating points on the diagram: no-load (at 0 L/s
and 16 kW), and full-load (at 124 L/s and 52 kW).
Figure 11.5
POWER DEMAND vs AIR OUTPUT
The unit demand when the compressor was supplying air leaks was
measured at 32 kW. The corresponding air flow is determined from
the diagram by starting with the measured 32 kW power, moving
across to the performance line, then down to read 54 L/s delivered
air. This is the existing air leakage in the system, representing
about 44% of the compressor's rated capacity [54 / 124].
• Power reduction:
(Note: It is assumed the additional ductwork would not reduce the inlet pressure of the air
to the compressor. If the additional duckwork does add significant static pressure loss,
the effect of the reduced intake pressure on the compressor power consumption must be
accounted for using the procedure outlined below.)
▸ Compression stages: N =2
▸ Input power to motor: W1 = 142.0 kW
▸ Existing air intake pressure: P1 = -1.5 kPagauge (or 99.825 aabsolute)
▸ Proposed air intake pressure: P2 = 100.825 kPaabsolute (99.825 + 1)
▸ Air discharge pressure: Pd = 700 kPagauge (or 801.325
kPaabsolute)
▸ Hours of operation: hr = 5,840 h/yr
0.231 0.231
F2 = Pd N 801.325 2
– 1 = – 1 = 0.2705
P2 100.825
W2 = W1 x P1 x F1
P2 x F2
99.825 x 0.2720
= 142 x
100.825 x 0.2705
= 141.4 kW
6.0 ASSIGNMENT
Test for air leaks in the compressed air system using the procedure
outlined in Section 5.1 (Compressors with Load/Unload Control) or
Section 5.2 (Compressor with Modular Control) as dictated by your
compressor control system. Establish the demand and energy required
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Module 11 - Compressed Air Systems ....
to feed air leaks in your plant compressed air system. Blank tables (per
Figure 11.6) are provided for your convenience.
Figure 11.6
LEAKAGE TEST DATA SHEET
Cycle # 3 Time
Total Demand Power (sec)
% of Total Time
On- Phase A
Lin
e Phase B
Phase C
Off- Phase A
Lin
e Phase B
Phase C
Phase
Off- Phase
Line
Phase
Phase