Industrial compressor unit capable of starting in an emergency

Abstract

The invention relates to an industrial compressor unit which is capable of starting in an emergency and has a compressor (4) in the form of an industrial compressor, which provides a starting pressure of greater than 30 bar, and has a drive motor (6) connected to the compressor (4), wherein the drive motor (6) is an alternating current motor (24), the compressor (4) and the electric drive motor (6) are arranged on a common carrier device (2), and at least one electric battery (16) and at least one electric inverter (22) are additionally arranged on the carrier device (2), the inverter being designed to convert direct current provided by the battery (16) into the alternating current required for supplying power to the electric drive motor (6).

Description

Title: Emergency-start industrial compressor unit Description

[0001] The invention relates to an emergency-startable industrial compressor assembly, which comprises an industrial compressor and an associated drive motor, as well as an emergency-startable motor device.

[0002] In industrial applications and also in shipping, powerful compressors, i.e., industrial compressors, are used to supply compressed gases or compressed air for entire systems, especially at pressures greater than 30 bar. Such compressors can, for example, be designed as piston compressors driven by a connected drive motor.

[0003] In special applications, for example on ships, safety-relevant systems or for large emergency power generators, compressors are required which can run and start even in the event of a power failure, i.e. which are designed for emergency starting. For example, large diesel engines are used on ships and in emergency power generators and are started using compressed air, which requires an industrial compressor to generate the required compressed air. In order to be able to start up such an industrial compressor without a power supply, it is known to switch off such compressors using an internal combustion engine as the drive motor. These internal combustion engines, in turn, can be designed so that they have an electric starter with a starter battery or can be equipped with a manual starter so that they can be started independently of a mains power supply.The combustion engines must, on the one hand, offer sufficient power, but on the other hand, they must also. It must be safe to start. For such applications, finding suitable combustion engines to drive such a compressor is becoming increasingly difficult, particularly due to stricter emissions regulations.

[0004] Against this background, the object of the invention is to provide an emergency-startable industrial compressor assembly and an emergency-startable motor device which enable reliable compressor operation and start-up independent of a mains power supply.

[0005] This object is achieved by an emergency-startable industrial compressor assembly having the features specified in claim 1 and by an emergency-startable motor device having the features specified in claim 23. Preferred embodiments emerge from the subclaims, the following description, and the accompanying figures.

[0006] The emergency-startable industrial compressor assembly according to the invention is intended for use in industrial applications or on ships and comprises a compressor in the form of an industrial compressor. An industrial compressor within the meaning of this invention is therefore also a compressor usable in shipbuilding or on ships. The compressor has an output pressure greater than 30 bar and preferably a flow rate greater than 10 m 3 / h and is suitable for supplying larger systems, such as industrial systems, building complexes, diesel engines or ships with compressed air. The industrial compressor unit further comprises a drive motor which is connected to the compressor. According to the invention, the drive motor is an AC motor. Such a motor can provide sufficient power to drive a larger compressor. The compressor and the electric drive motor are arranged on a common support device, so that both are in an easily to be transported. Furthermore, at least one electric accumulator or an electric battery is additionally arranged on the carrier device. This accumulator is thus part of the assembly and can be transported together with the drive motor and the compressor. In addition, an electric inverter is arranged on the carrier device, which is designed to convert direct current or a direct voltage provided by the accumulator into the alternating current or a required alternating voltage for the power supply of the electric drive motor. This inverter is therefore an inverter, in particular an electronic inverter. By integrating all of these components into one assembly, an industrial compressor assembly is created which can be operated independently of the mains, i.e.in which the compressor can be driven by an electric drive motor that draws its electrical energy from a battery integrated into the unit.

[0007] The industrial power compressor unit preferably has a mains power connection via which the electric drive motor can be supplied with power for its operation. This means that if the mains power connection supplies the required power, the electric drive motor can be supplied with energy directly from the mains power connection. The industrial power compressor unit is preferably further designed such that, in the event of a power supply failure via the mains power connection, the drive motor can be supplied with energy from the at least one battery via the at least one inverter. This means that the battery forms an emergency power supply which is used if the mains power fails. This design makes it possible to supply the industrial compressor either with mains power or with energy from the battery in order to operate the compressor. This means that, for example, an internal combustion engine such as a diesel engine can be started reliably even in the event of a power failure.

[0008] According to one possible embodiment, the industrial compressor unit further comprises a mains power connection, for example the mains power connection described above, and at least one charging device connected to the mains power connection, which is designed to charge the at least one battery. The required conversion of alternating current or three-phase current into direct current for the battery(s) can be carried out by the same inverter or inverters that are used to provide the power supply for the drive motor. This means that the same inverters are preferably used to charge and discharge the at least one battery. According to this first option, the mains power connection serves to connect the industrial compressor unit to a power grid, via which the at least one battery is charged.Preferably, a control device is provided which is designed such that, when the mains power supply is present, it always keeps the batteries at a certain charge level, preferably fully charged, in order to guarantee a sufficient charge level of the at least one battery in the event of a mains power failure, which enables the operation of the compressor.

[0009] Particularly preferably, the mains power connection is designed such that it is possible to supply power to the drive motor while simultaneously charging the battery. This means that the connected load of the mains power connection is designed such that the charging of at least one battery and the operation of the drive motor can occur in parallel. This makes it possible to recharge at least one battery, for example, after a power failure while the compressor is running.

[0010] According to a further preferred embodiment, the industrial compressor assembly comprises a control device which is designed such that it controls the power supply of the electric drive motor can switch between a supply via the mains power connection and a power supply via the at least one battery, preferably can switch without interruption. This makes it possible to operate the compressor with mains power as long as the mains power connection is supplying power, and to ensure supply via the battery only in the event of a mains power failure. At the same time, the control device is preferably designed such that the battery is always kept on standby with a desired minimum charge level. For this purpose, the control device can also have a battery management system for controlling and monitoring the at least one battery and its battery cells. For this purpose, the control device can further be designed in the manner described below. An uninterruptible power supply can be advantageous for safety-relevant devices in which a failure of the compressor operation must be reliably avoided.

[0011] The emergency-startable industrial compressor unit according to the invention is preferably designed for stationary operation. This means that it is not moved or transported for or during operation. Thus, the industrial compressor unit can be an integral part of an emergency power supply or a propulsion system, for example, a propulsion system on a ship.

[0012] The electric drive motor preferably has an output greater than 4 kW, more preferably greater than 6 kW, or greater than or equal to 8 kW. This allows a large industrial compressor to be driven. However, the electric drive motor is preferably designed so that its electrical output is less than 20 kW. This ensures longer operation of the power supply via the battery, for example, to provide the required amount of compressed air to start a larger diesel engine. The generated compressed air can be temporarily stored for this purpose.

[0013] The electric drive motor can be a single-phase AC motor or a three-phase AC motor, i.e. a three-phase motor, which in particular provides such a high power as described above.

[0014] In a particular embodiment, three inverters can be arranged on the support device or be part of the industrial compressor assembly to provide a three-phase AC voltage for operating a three-phase AC motor or three-phase AC motor as the drive motor. Alternatively, however, a three-phase inverter could also be used for a three-phase AC motor.

[0015] The at least one rechargeable battery preferably has a capacity of greater than 6 kWh, more preferably greater than 10 kWh. The rechargeable battery can therefore have a plurality of rechargeable battery or battery modules. The rechargeable battery is preferably designed such that the compressor can be operated for at least 30 minutes, more preferably for at least 60 minutes, when powered by the rechargeable battery. With an electric drive motor of the aforementioned size and a rechargeable battery of the aforementioned size, such a running time of the compressor of one hour on one battery charge can be achieved. However, it should be understood that the at least one rechargeable battery can also be configured with a larger capacity in order to achieve a longer running time.

[0016] In a further possible embodiment of the invention, the at least one battery has a voltage of less than 60 V. Such a design is advantageous with regard to fire protection and safety. This allows the emergency power-capable industrial compressor unit to be easily integrated into existing industrial plants or even on ships. Furthermore, the design for a low battery voltage allows Voltage the use of correspondingly cost-effective electronic components.

[0017] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the battery is a lithium ferrophosphate battery (LFP battery). Such an LFP battery has a long service life, which is desirable for emergency power supplies. Furthermore, such a battery is particularly safe and resistant to temperature fluctuations, such as those that can occur in industrial applications or when used on ships.

[0018] The compressor can be a single-stage or multi-stage compressor, for example a two-stage or three-stage compressor, depending on the desired output pressure. As described, the invention provides an output pressure greater than 30 bar. In a special embodiment, the compressor can also be designed to provide an output pressure greater than 220 bar. The compressor is preferably a piston compressor with one or more stages. The pistons of the multiple stages are preferably driven by the drive motor via a common crankshaft.

[0019] Preferably, at least one switch cabinet is arranged on the support device, in which the at least one inverter and / or the at least one battery are arranged. If several inverters are present, as described above, they are preferably arranged together in a switch cabinet. According to a further embodiment, the switch cabinet has a cooling device or cooling air duct for cooling the inverters. In a special embodiment, the battery and inverter, or batteries and inverter, can be arranged in the same switch cabinet. cabinet. This simplifies the electrical connections, as they can be made inside the control cabinet.

[0020] According to a further preferred embodiment, a control device is provided which controls the drive motor and preferably the at least one inverter and optionally further components of the battery. This can be a control device as described above. Such a control device is preferably arranged in the aforementioned control cabinet, i.e. preferably in a control cabinet in which the inverter(s) and the at least one battery are also arranged. In this way, all necessary electrical and communication connections can be made inside the control cabinet. The control device preferably has an operating panel, which can be arranged on the outside of the control cabinet or can be accessible from the outside of the control cabinet in order to be able to make any necessary settings from the outside and to be able to read operating states on suitable indicator devices or displays.The control device may have additional communication interfaces to enable communication with other external systems or automation devices, or to enable remote control or adjustment. For this purpose, a network connection, preferably also an internet connection, may be provided.

[0021] In a particular embodiment, the industrial compressor unit can be designed as a marine compressor unit for use on ships. The electrical components of the industrial compressor unit, in particular a drive motor and a control cabinet as described above, are designed according to a particular embodiment such that they meet protection class IP54 and, more preferably, the requirements of the DNV classification for For use on ships, this means that the control cabinet and drive motor are sealed against moisture, allowing them to be used in humid environments, such as those found on ships. For this purpose, suitable seals can be provided on the housing components, and the control cabinet can preferably have air ducts for cooling and ventilation that are protected against water ingress. Such air ducts can have water retention devices, such as filter mats or labyrinth structures, at the inlet openings to retain water or moisture.

[0022] In another particular embodiment, the industrial compressor assembly according to the invention is designed such that the inverters in the control cabinet are cooled solely by ambient air supplied from outside. This eliminates the need for cooling devices. This also simplifies use in existing industrial facilities or on ships. The required ventilation openings in the control cabinet are, as described above, preferably designed with water retention devices to prevent the ingress of moisture or water. As described above, the IP54 standard is particularly preferably achieved.

[0023] The described support device is designed in one possible embodiment as a frame structure made of steel. Such a frame can be formed from steel profiles which are bolted or welded together. This creates a stable support device on which all components are mounted. In particular, the support device is so rigid that it can bear a heavy industrial compressor, the high weight of the battery(ies) and the drive motor. The support device is preferably equipped with receptacles for lifting or transport means, for example eyelets for attaching lifting devices, and / or is designed such that it can be connected to the forks of a forklift truck can be lifted and transported.

[0024] In another particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the emergency-startable industrial compressor assembly, and in particular its support device, is designed such that the entire system can withstand a heeling of more than 20° or more than 22.5° in all directions during continuous operation of the compressor. Furthermore, the support device and the entire industrial compressor assembly are preferably designed to be resistant to vibrations; in particular, the control cabinet with the components arranged therein is vibration-damped and / or is designed to be so resistant to vibrations that it can withstand the vibrations emanating from the compressor without damage or operational impairment. The vibrations can be in the range of 20 mm / s.

[0025] In a special embodiment, the emergency-start capable industrial compressor unit is designed such that the compressor is configured as a starting air compressor for a diesel engine. This enables a special application of the industrial compressor unit, for example, in emergency power generators or on ships where compressed air is required to start large diesel engines. The emergency-start capable industrial compressor unit according to the invention makes it possible to ensure the reliable starting of the diesel engine in such applications even in the event of a failure of an external power supply. This can be the case, for example, on ships in the event of a total failure of the propulsion engine or in emergency power supplies, for example for hospitals or nuclear power plants. Thus, in a special embodiment, the industrial compressor unit is designed as a marine compressor unit, preferably as a starting compressor unit for a marine engine.

[0026] In a particular embodiment, the industrial compressor assembly according to the invention can comprise at least one pressure accumulator for storing the compressed gas or be connected to such a pressure accumulator. This makes it possible, for example, to generate the amount of compressed air required to start a large combustion engine over a longer period of time by the compressor and to temporarily store it in the pressure accumulator. This allows for a smaller compressor design and enables emergency power operation with a smaller battery capacity.

[0027] In addition to the emergency-startable industrial compressor unit described above, the subject of the invention is an emergency-startable engine device with at least one internal combustion engine, for example a diesel or gas engine, and with at least one emergency-startable industrial compressor unit as described above and designed to start the at least one internal combustion engine using the compressed air generated by the compressor. The internal combustion engine is preferably a piston engine that can be started by subjecting the pistons to compressed air. The engine can be, for example, a marine engine or an engine that drives a generator. An internal combustion engine that drives a generator can be used, for example, for emergency power supply in industrial applications, in a hospital, a nuclear power plant, or the like.

[0028] The invention is described below by way of example with reference to the accompanying figures, which show: Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of an industrial compressor assembly, Figure 2 is a view of the industrial compressor assembly according to Figure 1 seen from the rear, and Figure 3 shows a schematic circuit arrangement of the industrial compressor unit.

[0029] The industrial compressor unit shown has a support structure 2 in the form of a frame made of steel profiles. A compressor 4 with an electric drive motor 6 is arranged on this support structure 2. The compressor 4 is a multi-stage piston compressor, which has an outlet pressure greater than 30 bar and a flow rate greater than 10 m 3 / h. In this embodiment, the electric drive motor 6 is a three-phase AC motor, ie, a three-phase AC motor.

[0030] To accommodate the additional electrical or electronic components, a control cabinet 8 is arranged on the support device 2. The control cabinet 8 has a control panel 10, which can be designed, for example, as a touch-sensitive screen. The control cabinet also has ventilation openings 12 and 14, with the ventilation openings 12 serving for intake and the ventilation openings 14 for air outlet. Accordingly, the outlet ventilation openings 14 are arranged at the top and the inlet ventilation openings 12 at the bottom. The ventilation openings 12, 14 are designed to prevent water from penetrating the control cabinet. For this purpose, suitable filter mats can be arranged in the ventilation openings 12, 14. This preferably achieves protection class IP54.

[0031] A battery 16 is arranged in the control cabinet 8. This battery consists of a plurality of battery cells and can be modularly assembled from several battery modules. The battery 16 is connected to an inverter device via a DC connection 18. which has the three-phase output 20 with the three phases LI, L2 and L3, which is connected to the electric drive motor 6 to supply power to the latter. In the present example, three inverters 20 are designed as single-phase inverters and are connected together to provide the three-phase current at the three-phase output 20 on the output side. It is to be understood that instead of three inverters 22, a single inverter 22 could also be provided, which directly provides the required three-phase current at the output 20. The inverters 22 are also connected to an AC connection 24 in the form of a mains connection. Instead of an AC connection 24, a three-phase connection could also be provided. The inverters 22 are designed such that they can also supply the three-phase output 20 with energy via the AC connection 24 in order to operate the electric drive motor 6.The compressor4 can also be supplied with mains power from the AC connection 24.

[0032] Furthermore, the inverters 22 are designed such that they can provide the required DC voltage at the DC connection 18 in order to charge the at least one battery 16. For this purpose, a battery management system 26 is arranged between the DC connection 18 and the battery 16, which controls the charging and discharging of the battery 16. Control is carried out via a control device 28, which is connected to the battery management system 26 and to the inverters 22 and the control panel 10 for control purposes. The control device 28 is designed such that, when the mains power at the AC connection 24 fails, it switches the power supply largely without interruption to a supply via the battery 16, thus providing the power required to operate the electric drive motor 6 at the three-phase output 20 via the inverters 22 without interruption.When the AC power connection 24 is supplied with power, the electric drive motor 6 can be operated with mains power, as described above. Simultaneously. The battery 16 can be charged via the battery management system 26. In this way, continuous operation of the compressor 4 to supply a system 30 with compressed air or compressed gas can be ensured.

[0033] Instead of continuous operation, the compressor 4 can also be started only when needed. This can be done via the control device 28 by making appropriate settings on the control panel 10. Alternatively or additionally, the control device 28 can also have a communication interface via which it can be connected to external systems, for example, to remotely receive a command to switch on the compressor 4. Then, depending on whether power is available from the AC connection 24 or not, the electric drive motor 6 can be supplied with energy either via the AC connection 24 or via the battery 16.

[0034] Since the compressor 4 is an industrial compressor with high pneumatic power, the electric drive motor 6 is also dimensioned accordingly large, having an electrical drive power of, for example, 8 kW. For such a configuration, the battery 16 is preferably dimensioned to have a capacity of 12 kWh, so that the compressor 4 can be operated in battery mode for at least one hour. This may be necessary, for example, to provide the required amount of compressed air to start a ship's diesel engine. However, such an industrial compressor unit could also be used, for example, for the safe, uninterrupted supply of compressed air in industrial plants, for example in power plants, or for starting large stationary diesel engines, such as those used in emergency power generators. List of reference symbols 2 carrier device 4 Compressor 6 electric drive motor 8 control cabinet 10 Control panel 12, 14 ventilation openings 16 battery 18 DC connection 20 Three-phase output 22 inverters 24 mains / AC connection 26 Battery management system 28 Control device

Claims

Claims 1. Emergency start-capable industrial compressor assembly comprising a compressor (4) in the form of an industrial compressor, which provides an output pressure greater than 30 bar, and a drive motor (6) connected to the compressor (4), characterized in that the drive motor (6) is an AC motor (24), Compressor (4) and the electric drive motor (6) are arranged on a common carrier device (2), and in that at least one electric battery (16) and at least one electric inverter (22) are additionally arranged on the carrier device (2), which is designed to convert direct current provided by the battery (16) into the alternating current required for the power supply of the electric drive motor (6).

2. Emergency start-capable industrial compressor assembly according to claim 1, characterized by a mains power connection (24) via which the electric drive motor (6) can be supplied with power for its operation, and designed such that in the event of a power supply failure via the mains power connection (24), the drive motor (6) can be supplied with energy from the at least one battery (16) via the at least one inverter (22).

3. Emergency start-capable industrial compressor assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by a mains power connection (24) and at least one charging device connected thereto, which is designed to charge the at least one battery (16).

4. Emergency power capable industrial compressor unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The same at least one inverter (22) is used to supply power to the drive motor (6) and to charge the at least one battery (16).

5. Emergency start-capable industrial compressor unit according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the mains power connection (24) is designed such that a power supply of the drive motor (6) is possible while simultaneously charging the battery (16).

6. Emergency-start industrial compressor assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a control device (28) which is designed such that it can switch the power supply of the electric drive motor (6) between a supply via the mains power connection (24) and a power supply via the at least one battery (16), preferably without interruption.

7. Emergency-start industrial compressor unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is designed for stationary operation.

8. Emergency start-capable industrial compressor unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electric drive motor (6) has an electrical power greater than 4 kW and more preferably greater than 8 kW and preferably less than 20 kW.

9. Emergency startable industrial compressor unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electric drive motor (6) is a three-phase motor.

10. Emergency start-capable industrial compressor unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least three inverters (22) are arranged on the carrier device (2), which provide a three-phase alternating voltage. 1 1. Emergency start-capable industrial compressor unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one battery (16) has a capacity greater than 6 kWh, preferably greater than 10 kWh and is preferably designed such that operation of the compressor is enabled for at least 30 minutes and more preferably for at least 60 minutes.

12. Emergency start-capable industrial compressor unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one battery (16) has a voltage of less than 60 V.

13. Emergency start-capable industrial compressor assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one battery (16) is a lithium ferrophosphate battery (LFP battery).

14. Emergency start industrial compressor unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the compressor (4) is a multi-stage compressor.

15. Emergency start industrial compressor unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the compressor (4) is a piston compressor.

16. Emergency start industrial compressor assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that At least one control cabinet (8) is arranged in the carrier device (2), in which the at least one inverter (22) and / or the at least one battery (16) is arranged.

17. Emergency start-capable industrial compressor unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a control device (28) is arranged in the at least one control cabinet (8), which is preferably designed to control the drive motor (6) and the at least one inverter (22).

18. Emergency-start industrial compressor unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electric drive motor (6) and the at least one control cabinet (8) meet protection class IP54 and preferably the requirements of the DNV classification for use on ships.

19. Emergency start-capable industrial compressor unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inverters (22) in the control cabinet (8) are cooled by ambient air supplied from outside, wherein ventilation openings (12, 14) in the control cabinet (8) required for this purpose are preferably equipped with water retention devices.

20. Emergency start-capable industrial compressor unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support device (2) is designed as a frame structure made of steel.

21. Emergency startable industrial compressor unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the compressor (4) is designed as a starting air compressor for a diesel engine.

22. Emergency start-capable industrial compressor unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one pressure accumulator for storing the compressed gas.

23. Emergency startable engine device with at least one internal combustion engine and with at least one emergency startable industrial compressor unit according to one of the preceding claims, which is designed to start the at least one internal combustion engine by means of compressed air generated by the compressor.

24. Emergency startable engine device according to claim 23, characterized in that it is a marine engine or an engine which drives a generator.

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