Compressor Switching Control for Fluctuating Pressure Demand
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing compressor systems face inefficiencies in maintaining sufficient pressurized fluid supply and energy efficiency due to fluctuating demand, as traditional pressure band controls fail to adapt effectively, leading to either insufficient or energetically inefficient operations.
Innovation Solution
A method for controlling a compressor system that pre-selects and weighs switching alternatives based on optimization criteria to maintain a predefined overpressure, with variable switch-on and switch-off pressures, allowing for efficient adaptation to current conditions and minimizing energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional pressure band controls are used to switch compressors on or off at predefined operating conditions, then the system can maintain basic pressure levels, but the system cannot adapt effectively to fluctuating demand, leading to insufficient supply or energetically inefficient operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic pressure bands that automatically adjust their boundaries based on real-time system conditions including current pressure levels, compressor performance data, and demand patterns. This transforms the static pressure band control into a dynamic system that adapts to fluctuating demand while optimizing energy consumption by switching compressors at the most efficient moments.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system continuously monitors system pressure, compressor performance, and operational status, using this feedback information to dynamically adjust pressure band boundaries and make informed switching decisions. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables the system to adapt to changing conditions and avoid energetically inefficient operations.
2Reliability
If the number of compressors is increased to ensure sufficient pressurized fluid supply at high withdrawal rates, then the supply reliability improves, but the system complexity and operational cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-calculates and stores optimal switching strategies and pressure band configurations based on historical data and system characteristics. When demand fluctuations occur, the control system retrieves and applies pre-determined optimal solutions, enabling rapid adaptation without complex real-time calculations and reducing operational complexity.
3Stability of the object's composition
If frequent switching operations are performed to maintain precise pressure control, then the pressure stability improves, but the energy consumption and wear on compressors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic pressure bands expand and contract based on system conditions, allowing larger pressure excursions when energy efficiency is prioritized and tighter control when stability is critical. This dynamic adjustment of control tolerance reduces unnecessary switching operations while maintaining adequate pressure stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameters of the pressure bands (boundaries, width, adjustment rates) based on operational context such as current demand levels, compressor availability, and energy price signals. This parameter adaptation allows the system to balance pressure stability requirements against energy consumption and wear considerations.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling a compressor system comprising a plurality of compressors, wherein the compressor system is intended to maintain a predefined excess pressure in a pressurized fluid system, wherein decisions are met at fixed or variable intervals as to switching operations for adapting the system to current conditions, wherein —in a pre-selecting step, switching alternatives are excluded from the plurality of combinatorially available switching alternatives, —in a main selecting step, remaining switching alternatives are weighed against one another while referring to one or more optimization criterion (criteria) and optimum switching alternatives are selected from among the given criteria, and —in a control step, the selected switching alternative is output for implementation in the compressor system.