Supply assistance system and compressed air supply system

Abstract

To provide a supply auxiliary system capable of utilizing performance of an air compressor as much as possible while suppressing waste of compressed air in a booster valve.SOLUTION: A first load P1 requiring compression air of a first pressure value Y1 or more, a second load P1 receiving supply of compression air of pressure lower than the first pressure value Y2, and compression air generated by an air compressor 2 can be supplied to both the load Y1 and Y2. A first air passage P1 including a main passage L1a connecting the air compressor 2 and the first load Y1 and a branch passage L1a branching from the main passage L1b and connected to the primary side of the primary pressure control valve 11, a second air passage L1 connecting the secondary side of the primary pressure control valve 11 and the second load Y2, and a pressure control valve 12 having a primary side connected to the second air passage L2 and a secondary side connected to the first air passage, the pressure control valve 12 increasing the pressure of the compression air to a set pressure value Q1 equal to or higher than the first pressure value. L2 L1 Q2 P1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an auxiliary supply system that enables compressed air to be supplied to a load, and a compressed air supply system including the auxiliary supply system. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, compressed air supply systems that supply compressed air generated by an air compressor to a load (for example, pneumatic equipment, pneumatic tools, etc.) have been widely used. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a compressed air supply system that can supply compressed air generated by multiple air compressors at an appropriate pressure to a use point to which the load is connected.

[0003] In addition, the maximum amount of compressed air that can be discharged (maximum discharge amount) is generally determined by the specifications of the air compressor. In order to make the most of the air compressor's performance and discharge an amount of compressed air as close to the maximum discharge amount as possible, it is desirable to build a system that can sustainably utilize that amount of compressed air and enable the air compressor to function as a base load machine. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-168904 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, as shown in FIG. 4, for example, when the maximum discharge amount of the air compressor 101 is 2.1 m 3 / min, and 1 to 2 m less than this 3In the case of a supply system X1 in which only a first load Y1 consuming only 1 / min of compressed air is connected to the air compressor 101, the compressed air that the air compressor 101 can generate and discharge will be less than its maximum discharge rate. In this case, it is difficult to fully utilize the performance of the air compressor 101. In this example, the required pressure of the first load Y1 is 0.7 MPa, and the air compressor 101 is capable of discharging compressed air of 0.7 MPa or more.

[0006] To solve the above problem, it is conceivable to connect the air compressor 101 (providing a connection line Lx as shown in FIG. 5) to another supply system X2 that supplies compressed air (a system that supplies compressed air of 0.6 MPa from the supply device 103 to the second load Y2), as exemplified in FIG. 5. According to this configuration, compressed air can be supplied from the air compressor 101 not only to the first load Y1 but also to the second load Y2, making it possible to fully utilize the performance of the air compressor 101.

[0007] However, in this configuration, since the first load Y1 requires compressed air of 0.7 MPa, it is difficult to supply compressed air to the first load Y1 in a manner that satisfies this requirement. Therefore, as shown in Figure 5, a pressure boost valve 102 that boosts the compressed air to 0.7 MPa must be installed upstream of the first load Y1.

[0008] In this way, a portion of the compressed air discharged from the air compressor 101 can be boosted to 0.7 MPa by the booster valve 102 and supplied to the first load Y1, and the remainder can be supplied to the second load Y2 together with compressed air discharged from the supply device 103. However, because the booster valve 102 operates in such a way that it boosts the pressure of some of the compressed air while discharging it, there is a problem in that some of the compressed air is wasted.

[0009] In view of the above-mentioned problems, the present invention aims to provide an auxiliary supply system that can maximize the performance of an air compressor while minimizing the waste of compressed air at the booster valve, and a compressed air supply system that includes the auxiliary supply system. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The supply auxiliary system of the present invention is a supply auxiliary system connected to a first load that requires a supply of compressed air at a pressure equal to or greater than a predetermined first pressure value, a second load that functions by receiving a supply of compressed air at a pressure lower than the first pressure value, and an air compressor so that the compressed air generated by the air compressor can be supplied to the first load and the second load, and is configured to include a primary pressure regulating valve that maintains the pressure on the primary side at a first set value equal to or greater than the first pressure value, a first air path having a main path connecting the air compressor and the first load and a branch path branching from the main path and connected to the primary side of the primary pressure regulating valve, a second air path that connects the secondary side of the primary pressure regulating valve and the second load, and a pressure booster valve having a primary side connected to the second air path and a secondary side connected to the first air path, that boosts the compressed air received from the primary side to a second set value equal to or greater than the first pressure value and sends it to the secondary side.

[0011] According to this configuration, it is possible to maximize the performance of the air compressor while minimizing the waste of compressed air at the booster valve.

[0012] The compressed air supply system according to the present invention also includes the auxiliary supply system of the above configuration, the air compressor, and a supply device that supplies air at a pressure lower than the first pressure value to the second air path, and the air compressor is configured to generate the compressed air at a second pressure value higher than the first pressure value in an amount greater than the amount of air consumed by the first load and send it to the main path.

[0013] More specifically, the first set value may be set to a value equal to or greater than the first pressure value and smaller than the second pressure value. Also, more specifically, the second set value may be set to a value equal to or greater than the first pressure value and smaller than the first set value.

[0014] More specifically, the air compressor may be configured to recover heat of compression generated when the compressed air is generated. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the supply auxiliary system of the present invention, it is possible to make the most of the air supply performance of the air compressor while minimizing the waste of compressed air at the booster valve. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a compressed air supply system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram relating to a first operation mode according to the present embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram relating to a second operation mode according to the present embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a compressed air supply system using an air compressor. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is another explanatory diagram of a compressed air supply system using an air compressor. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0018] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a compressed air supply system 9 according to this embodiment. As shown in the figure, the compressed air supply system 9 includes an auxiliary supply system 1, an air compressor 2, and a supply device 3, and is a system that supplies compressed air to a first load Y1 and a second load Y2. Both the first load Y1 and the second load Y2 are facilities, equipment, etc. that require compressed air.

[0019] The first load Y1 is a load that requires a minimum required pressure of a predetermined first pressure value P1 (for example, 0.7 MPa) and requires a supply of compressed air of the first pressure value P1 or higher. In addition, the amount of compressed air consumed by the first load Y1 is 1 to 2 m 3 / min. An example of the first load Y1 is a nitrogen generator that generates nitrogen using compressed air.

[0020] The second load Y2 has a minimum required pressure lower than the first pressure value P1 and functions by receiving a supply of compressed air at a third pressure value P3 (e.g., 0.6 MPa) that is lower than the first pressure value P1. As an example, the second load Y2 may be equipment that uses compressed air installed in the same factory.

[0021] The air compressor 2 is a device that generates compressed air, and employs a heat recovery type air compressor that is configured to recover the heat of compression that is generated when the compressed air is generated. The air compressor 2 is configured to recover the heat of compression using, for example, cooling water, and supply the resulting high-temperature cooling water as hot water to hot water-using equipment, etc. In this way, the air compressor 2 is able to recover and effectively utilize the heat of compression, making it extremely advantageous in terms of energy conservation, etc.

[0022] Therefore, when operating the compressed air supply system 9, it is desirable to make the air compressor 2 function as a base load machine by making the most of the air supply performance of the air compressor 2 so as not to diminish the advantages of the air compressor 2. Therefore, in this embodiment, as will be described in detail later, consideration is given to making the most of the air supply performance of the air compressor 2.

[0023] The air compressor 2 can generate compressed air at a second pressure value P2 (for example, 0.73 MPa) greater than the first pressure value P1, in an amount greater than the amount of air consumed by the first load Y1, and deliver this air to a main path L1a (described later). The discharge pressure of the air compressor 2 (the pressure value of the compressed air delivered to the main path L1a) is the second pressure value P2, and the maximum discharge amount of compressed air from the air compressor 2 is 2.1 m 3 / min.

[0024] The supply auxiliary system 1 is connected to a first load Y1, a second load Y2, and an air compressor 2, and is a system capable of supplying compressed air generated by the air compressor 2 to the first load Y1 and the second load Y2. The supply auxiliary system 1 includes a primary pressure regulating valve 11, a pressure booster valve 12, a first air path L1, and a second air path L2.

[0025] The primary pressure regulating valve 11 serves to maintain the primary side pressure at a first set value Q1, which is set to a value (e.g., 0.72 MPa) that is equal to or greater than the first pressure value P1 and smaller than the second pressure value P2.

[0026] The first air path L1 is a compressed air path that includes a main path L1a that connects the air compressor 2 and the first load Y1, and a branch path L1b that branches off from a predetermined position α of the main path L1a and is connected to the primary side of the primary pressure regulating valve 11. The second air path L2 is a compressed air path that connects the secondary side of the primary pressure regulating valve 11 and the second load Y2.

[0027] The booster valve 12 has a primary side connected to a predetermined position β of the second air path L2 and a secondary side connected to a predetermined position γ (later than position α) of the first air path L1. The booster valve 12 functions to boost the compressed air received from the primary side to a second set value Q2 and send it to the secondary side. The second set value Q2 is set to a value (e.g., 0.71 MPa) that is equal to or greater than the first pressure value P1 and equal to or less than the first set value Q1.

[0028] However, because the booster valve 12 operates in such a way that it boosts the pressure while discharging a portion of the compressed air, some of the compressed air that flows into the booster valve 12 is discharged. Taking this into consideration, the present embodiment is designed to minimize the waste of compressed air discharged by the booster valve 12, as will be described in detail later.

[0029] The supply device 3 is a device provided mainly for the purpose of supplying compressed air to a second load Y2 (a load that functions by receiving a supply of compressed air at a third pressure value P3), and is configured to generate compressed air at a third pressure value P3 (compressed air at a pressure lower than the first pressure value P1) and supply it to the second air path L2. The supply device 3 may be, for example, one or more general compressors, but the specific form thereof is not particularly limited.

[0030] As is clear from the above description, the magnitude relationships between the pressure values ​​P1 to P3 and the set values ​​Q1 and Q2 in this embodiment are specified: the first pressure value P1 is greater than the third pressure value P3, the second set value Q2 is equal to or greater than the first pressure value P1, the first set value Q1 is equal to or greater than the second set value Q2, and the second pressure value P2 is greater than the first set value Q1.

[0031] Next, the operation of the compressed air supply system 9 will be described.

[0032] First, the operating mode of the compressed air supply system 9 when the air compressor 2 is operating normally (hereinafter referred to as the "first operating mode" for convenience) will be described. Figure 2 shows a schematic overview of the first operating mode. In the first operating mode, the discharge rate of compressed air from the air compressor 2 is set to its maximum discharge rate (amount greater than the amount of air consumed by the first load Y1).

[0033] In the first operating mode, compressed air having a third pressure value P3 is supplied from the supply device 3 to the second load Y2, as indicated by the dashed arrow F1 in Fig. 2. Furthermore, as indicated by the dashed arrow F2 in Fig. 2, a portion of the compressed air generated by the air compressor 2 is supplied to the first load Y1 via the main path L1a.

[0034] Here, the air compressor 2 generates and discharges more compressed air than the amount of air consumed by the first load Y1, so the compressed air generated by the air compressor 2 that is not consumed by the first load Y1 remains in excess, resulting in excess compressed air in the first air path L1.

[0035] Here, the first set value Q1 of the primary pressure regulating valve 11 is set to a value equal to or greater than the first pressure value P1 and smaller than the second pressure value P2. Therefore, the compressed air in the first air path L1 is regulated to the first set value Q1, and the surplus compressed air described above flows into the second air path L2 via the primary pressure regulating valve 11. Note that, because the first set value Q1 is equal to or greater than the first pressure value P1, the compressed air in the first air path L1 regulated in this manner satisfies the pressure requirement of the first load Y1.

[0036] This excess compressed air flows into the second air path L2, and is supplied to the second load Y2 as shown by the dashed arrow F3 in Fig. 2. As a result, both the excess compressed air and the compressed air discharged from the supply device 3 can be supplied to the second load Y2, and both types of compressed air can be effectively utilized by the second load Y2.

[0037] As described above, the second set value Q2 of the booster valve 12 is set to a value equal to or less than the first set value Q1. Furthermore, in the first operating mode, the compressed air in the first air path L1 is adjusted to the first set value Q1 by the primary pressure regulating valve 11. Therefore, the pressure on the secondary side of the booster valve 12 (i.e., the pressure of the compressed air in the first air path L1) becomes equal to or greater than the second set value Q2, and the booster valve 12 does not operate. This reduces the waste of compressed air exhausted by the booster valve 12.

[0038] Next, an operation mode of the compressed air supply system 9 when the air compressor 2 is stopped (hereinafter referred to as a "second operation mode" for convenience) will be described. Figure 3 shows a schematic overview of the second operation mode.

[0039] In the second operating mode, compressed air at a third pressure value P3 is also supplied from the supply device 3 to the second load Y2, as indicated by the dashed arrow F1 in Fig. 3. This is the same as in the first operating mode. Furthermore, in the second operating mode, compressed air is not supplied from the air compressor 2 to the first air path L1, so compressed air is supplied as indicated by the dashed arrow F4 in Fig. 3.

[0040] More specifically, at least a portion of the compressed air discharged from the supply device 3 is boosted to a second set value Q2 by the boost valve 12 and then supplied to the first load Y1 via the main path L1a. Note that since the second set value Q2 is equal to or greater than the first pressure value P1, the compressed air boosted by the boost valve 12 satisfies the pressure requirement of the first load Y1.

[0041] As a result, even when the air compressor 2 is stopped, it is possible to supply compressed air at an appropriate pressure to the first load Y1 using the supply device 3. Note that situations in which the air compressor 2 is stopped include, for example, a situation in which the air compressor 2 is temporarily stopped for maintenance or a situation in which the air compressor 2 has stopped operating due to some kind of malfunction.

[0042] As described above, the compressed air supply system 9 is configured using the auxiliary supply system 1. This makes it possible to reduce the waste of compressed air at the booster valve 12 and to make the air compressor 2 function as a base load machine making the most of its performance.

[0043] More specifically, in the first operating mode in which the air compressor 2 is operated, the compressed air discharged from the air compressor 2 can be supplied to both the first load Y1 and the second load Y2, so the air compressor 2 can generate and discharge the maximum amount of compressed air. This allows the air compressor 2 to function as a base load machine that makes the most of its air supply performance.

[0044] Furthermore, by appropriately setting the set values ​​Q1, Q2 of the primary pressure regulating valve 11 and the booster valve 12 in the supply auxiliary system 1, it is possible to appropriately supply compressed air to the first load Y1 even in the second operating mode in which the air compressor 2 is stopped, and to prevent the booster valve 12 from operating in the first operating mode. This makes it possible to reduce the waste of compressed air at the booster valve 12 compared to when it is assumed that the booster valve 12 operates in the first operating mode.

[0045] As described above, the supply auxiliary system 1 is a system connected to a first load Y1 that requires a supply of compressed air at a pressure equal to or higher than a predetermined first pressure value P1, a second load Y2 that functions by receiving a supply of compressed air at a third pressure value P3 that is lower than the first pressure value P1, and an air compressor 2, so that compressed air generated by the air compressor 2 can be supplied to the first load Y1 and the second load Y2, and is equipped with a primary pressure regulating valve 11, a pressure booster valve 12, a first air path L1, and a second air path L2.

[0046] The compressed air supply system 9 also includes an auxiliary supply system 1, an air compressor 2, and a supply device 3 that supplies air at a pressure lower than the first pressure value P1 to the second air path L2. The air compressor 2 generates compressed air at a second pressure value P2 that is higher than the first pressure value P1, in an amount greater than the amount of air consumed by the first load Y1, and delivers the air to the main path L1a.

[0047] In the supply auxiliary system 1, the first set value Q1 for the primary pressure regulating valve 11 is set to a value equal to or greater than the first pressure value P1 and smaller than the second pressure value P2. This allows the compressed air in the first air path L1 to satisfy the pressure requirement of the first load Y1, while also allowing a portion of the compressed air to be supplied to the second load Y2 via the primary pressure regulating valve 11.

[0048] In the supply auxiliary system 1, the second set value Q2 for the boost valve 12 is set to a value equal to or greater than the first pressure value P1 and equal to or less than the first set value Q1. Therefore, in the first operating mode, the boost valve 12 is not operated, while in the second operating mode, the compressed air flowing into the boost valve 12 can be boosted to meet the pressure requirement of the first load Y1.

[0049] The above-described embodiments should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The technical scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not by the description of the above-described embodiments, and should be understood to include all modifications that fall within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Industrial Applicability]

[0050] The present invention can be used in a compressed air supply system that supplies compressed air to a load.

[0051] <Contribution to the United Nations-led Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)> The compressed air supply system disclosed herein utilizes a heat recovery air compressor as a base load machine. Heat recovery air compressors have an energy efficiency of over 90%, making them highly energy-efficient. Since they do not use fossil fuels for power generation, they also reduce carbon dioxide emissions. This can contribute to achieving Goal 7 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), "Affordable and clean energy," and Goal 13, "Take urgent action to combat climate change." [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 1. Supply Subsidy System 11 Primary pressure regulating valve 12 Pressure booster valve 2. Air compressor 3 Feeding device 9 Compressed Air Supply System L1 First air path L1a main pathway L1b branching pathway L2 Second air path Y1 1st load Y2 Second load

Claims

1. a first load that requires a supply of compressed air at a pressure equal to or higher than a predetermined first pressure value, a second load that functions by receiving a supply of compressed air at a pressure lower than the first pressure value, and an air compressor; a supply auxiliary system capable of supplying compressed air generated by the air compressor to the first load and the second load, a primary pressure regulating valve that maintains the primary side pressure at a first set value that is equal to or greater than the first pressure value; a first air path including a main path connecting the air compressor and the first load, and a branch path branching from the main path and connected to a primary side of the primary pressure regulating valve; a second air path connecting the secondary side of the primary pressure regulating valve and the second load; a pressure booster valve having a primary side connected to the second air path and a secondary side connected to the first air path, which boosts the compressed air received from the primary side to a second set value that is equal to or greater than the first pressure value and sends the compressed air to the secondary side.

2. a supply auxiliary system according to claim 1, the air compressor, and a supply device that supplies air at a pressure lower than the first pressure value to the second air path; The air compressor is a compressed air supply system that generates compressed air at a second pressure value greater than the first pressure value in an amount greater than the amount of air consumed by the first load and delivers the compressed air to the main path;

3. The first set value is The compressed air supply system according to claim 2 , wherein the pressure is set to a value equal to or greater than the first pressure value and smaller than the second pressure value.

4. The second set value is The compressed air supply system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the pressure is set to a value equal to or greater than the first pressure value and equal to or less than the first set value.

5. 4. The compressed air supply system according to claim 2, wherein the air compressor is configured to recover heat of compression generated when the compressed air is generated.

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