Compressor Control Device for Multi-Impeller Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
In compressor systems with multiple impellers, performance differences due to individual variations or aging lead to inefficiencies, as the method of controlling equal inlet guide vane openings can result in increased power consumption and decreased efficiency when anti-surge control is activated unnecessarily.
Innovation Solution
A compressor control device with pressure and flow rate detection units, and a control unit that compares set points with actual flow rates, adjusts flow rate commands to maintain efficiency by correcting the flow rate of one impeller based on the performance of another, and strategically fixes or releases flow rates to prevent surge and optimize energy use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the opening degrees of inlet guide vanes are controlled to be equal for all impellers, then the control method is simple, but efficiency decreases when performance differences exist between impellers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the control strategy for each impeller based on its individual performance characteristics. Instead of uniform control, each impeller receives customized flow rate commands adjusted according to its specific performance level, thereby optimizing efficiency while maintaining operational simplicity through automated differentiation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameter from uniform opening degree to individualized flow rate commands. By dynamically adjusting the flow rate setpoints for each impeller based on detected performance differences, the system transforms a simple but inefficient uniform control approach into an adaptive parameter-based control strategy that maintains simplicity while improving efficiency.
2Reliability
If anti-surge control is activated by opening the blowoff valve when flow rate approaches surge region, then compressor protection is achieved, but power consumption increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by proactively adjusting flow rate commands for individual impellers before the surge condition actually occurs. By detecting performance differences and pre-adjusting flow distribution, the system prevents any single impeller from approaching the surge region, thereby eliminating the need for reactive blowoff valve activation and avoiding unnecessary power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring the actual flow rates of individual impellers and using this information to dynamically adjust flow rate commands. This closed-loop control enables the system to respond to real-time conditions, maintaining reliable operation while minimizing energy waste by activating protection measures only when genuinely necessary.
3Reliability
If the blowoff valve is opened for one impeller to prevent surge, then that impeller is protected, but the overall gas flow rate increases unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing individualized flow rate control for each impeller based on its specific performance characteristics. This targeted approach ensures that only impellers with actual performance issues receive adjusted flow commands, while high-performance impellers maintain their optimal flow rates, thereby protecting individual impellers without unnecessarily reducing overall system productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a compressor control device configured to control a flow rate of a compressor having a plurality of impellers connected to an outlet port-side flow path in parallel and a flow rate regulation unit configured to regulate a flow rate of each of the impellers, the compressor control device including a pressure detection unit configured to detect a pressure of the outlet port-side flow path, a flow rate detection unit configured to detect the flow rate of each of the impellers, and a control unit configured to output a flow rate regulation command of each of the impellers to the flow rate regulation unit and control the flow rate regulation unit based on the detection result of the pressure detection unit.