Compressed Air System Modeling for Energy and Reliability Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing compressed air systems face inefficiencies in energy consumption and reliability, lacking effective modeling, simulation, and optimization tools to minimize energy usage and maximize system performance.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for modeling, simulation, and optimization of compressed air systems, utilizing a computer with a model server and sales quote server to create virtual models, perform simulations, and provide recommendations for improving system efficiency and reliability, including predictive maintenance and component optimization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If compressed air systems operate without modeling and simulation tools, then system design and operation proceed conventionally, but energy efficiency and system performance cannot be optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual model (copy) of the compressed air system that replicates the physical system's behavior. This virtual model allows simulation and optimization of energy efficiency without modifying the actual physical system, resolving the contradiction by enabling energy optimization through digital copying rather than physical experimentation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary simulation and analysis before actual system operation or modification. By using the virtual model to predict performance and identify optimization opportunities in advance, the system can improve energy efficiency before implementing changes to the physical system, avoiding trial-and-error approaches.
2Reliability
If compressed air systems lack predictive maintenance capabilities, then operational continuity is maintained through conventional monitoring, but system reliability and failure prediction are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous feedback loops where the virtual model receives real-time data from the physical system, simulates potential failures, and provides predictions about system reliability. This automated feedback mechanism enables predictive maintenance by continuously monitoring system state and predicting failures before they occur, improving reliability through automated analysis rather than manual inspection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical monitoring and manual assessment methods with automated computational simulation and data analysis. The virtual model automatically processes system data to predict failures, substituting manual reliability assessment with automated computational methods that provide more accurate and continuous reliability evaluation.
3Loss of energy
If compressed air systems operate without optimization tools, then system configuration proceeds conventionally, but energy consumption is not minimized
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual model serves as a digital copy that can be manipulated and optimized without affecting the physical system. By creating and optimizing the virtual representation first, the system identifies energy loss reduction opportunities and validates them in simulation before implementing changes physically, minimizing energy loss through iterative virtual optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs comprehensive simulation and analysis that may exceed minimum requirements, exploring multiple optimization scenarios and configurations. By conducting more extensive virtual analysis than strictly necessary, the system ensures thorough identification of energy optimization opportunities, accepting the computational effort as worthwhile for achieving minimal energy loss.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer may display on a graphical user interface (GUI) a component library including a set of components relating to a compressed air system. The GUI may have a modeling interface for configuring a virtual model using the set of components. The computer may simulate the virtual model to determine one or more optimizations to the compressed air system. The computer may also determine the cost of implementing the compressor system optimization.