Compressor Bypass Valve Control for Cooling Pressure Loss

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gas compressors experience increased pressure loss and power consumption when compressed gas passes through both the waste heat recovery and cooling heat exchangers, leading to potential component failure due to elevated temperatures.

Innovation Solution

A gas compressor with a bypass path and control system that adjusts the flow of compressed gas based on motor current and temperature sensors to bypass the cooling heat exchanger when necessary, reducing pressure loss and maintaining optimal operating conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If the compressed gas passes through both the waste heat recovery heat exchanger and the cooling heat exchanger, then the compressed gas is cooled effectively, but the pressure loss of the compressed gas increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature of compressed gasVSAvoidpressure loss
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between two cooling paths based on operating conditions. The control device opens or closes the first and second valves to route the compressed gas either through both heat exchangers (when cooling is needed) or bypass the cooling heat exchanger (when pressure loss should be minimized), making the cooling system adaptable to different operational states

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control device monitors parameters such as motor current, temperature of compressed gas, and ambient temperature to determine when to switch between cooling modes. By changing operational parameters (valve states) based on monitored conditions, the system optimizes the balance between cooling effectiveness and pressure loss

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Temperature

If the pressure loss increases, then the cooling effect is maintained, but the power required by the compressor body increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling effectVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the cooling path based on motor current and temperature conditions. When the motor current is high and cooling is needed, the gas passes through both heat exchangers. When the motor current is low or cooling is sufficient, the system bypasses the cooling heat exchanger to reduce pressure loss and power consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control device uses feedback from the ammeter (motor current), temperature sensor (compressed gas temperature), and ambient temperature sensor to continuously monitor system state and adjust valve positions accordingly, optimizing the balance between cooling effect and power consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Stress or pressure

If the compressor body increases the pressure to compensate for pressure loss, then the pressure requirement is met, but the temperature of the compressed gas rises

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure levelVSAvoidtemperature of compressed gas
Core Design Contradiction:
Stress or pressureVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between two operational modes: when cooling is required, the gas passes through both heat exchangers to maintain low temperature while meeting pressure requirements; when cooling is sufficient or power consumption is high, the system bypasses the cooling heat exchanger to reduce pressure loss and prevent excessive temperature rise

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Reduces pressure loss and power consumption, preventing component failure by optimizing the gas flow path based on real-time monitoring, thus ensuring safe and efficient operation.

Implementation Method 1

The waste heat recovery heat exchanger recovers compression heat from the compressed gas by exchanging heat between the compressed gas and circulating water, thereby heating the circulating water

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

recovers compression heat from the compressed gas

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression heating: Adiabatic Heating

Implementation Method 3

a cooling heat exchanger that cools the compressed gas after waste heat has been recovered by the waste heat recovery heat exchanger

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentEP4722536A1Gas compressor
Publication Date: 2026.04.08 HITACHI IND EQUIP SYST CO LTD
  • EP4722536A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4722536A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4722536A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A technique capable of reducing pressure loss caused by cooling of compressed gas is provided. A gas compressor 100 includes: a bypass path 11 that bypasses an aftercooler 10; a bypass valve 13 provided in the bypass path 11; a cooler bypass valve 12 provided between a connection portion 19b and the aftercooler 10; an ammeter 16 that detects a current value of a motor 1; a temperature sensor 14 that detects a temperature of compressed gas after waste heat has been recovered by a high-pressure stage waste heat recovery heat exchanger 9; a temperature sensor 22 that detects an ambient temperature around the gas compressor 100; and a control device 17 that opens and closes the bypass valve 13 and the cooler bypass valve 12 based on the current value detected by the ammeter 16, the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 14, and the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 22.