Local Air Compressor Layout for Pneumatic Element Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for processing elements using pressurized air as an energy carrier suffer from high energy inefficiencies, with losses ranging from 90% and are criticized for inefficiency and environmental impact, particularly in centralized supply systems.
Innovation Solution
A decentralized in situ pressurized air supply system where a gas compressor unit generates compressed air locally within the system's installation space, reducing energy losses and operating costs by minimizing leakage and overcompression, and allowing for precise control of air pressure and volume based on demand.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a centralized pressurized air supply system is used, then the system can operate with a single remote compressor, but energy losses increase significantly (up to 90% loss)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the centralized pressurized air supply system into multiple decentralized compressor units distributed at different locations within the installation space. Each compressor unit serves a specific local area, eliminating the need for long transport lines and reducing energy losses associated with centralized supply.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local pressurized air generation by placing compressor units directly at or near the points of consumption. This allows each location to have its own pressurized air supply, minimizing transport distances and reducing energy losses from leakage and pressure drop in transport lines.
2Ease of operation
If pressurized air is used as an energy carrier, then pneumatic system components can be operated, but energy efficiency deteriorates due to high losses
Solution Approach 1:
Each compressor unit operates independently to supply pressurized air to its local pneumatic system components. This self-service approach eliminates the need for long-distance pressurized air transport and reduces energy losses, while maintaining the ease of pneumatic operation for system components.
3Loss of energy
If a decentralized pressurized air supply is implemented, then energy losses are reduced, but the number of compressor units increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs compressor units that can serve multiple functions and multiple pneumatic system components within their local areas. This multi-functionality reduces the overall number of compressor units needed while still achieving decentralized supply and minimizing energy losses.
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
The system significantly reduces energy losses and operating costs by providing a localized, efficient, and flexible pressurized air supply, minimizing leakage and overcompression, and enabling precise control of air pressure and volume, thus enhancing the energy efficiency and environmental sustainability of element processing systems.
Implementation Method 1
a gas compressor unit for generating and supplying compressed and/or accelerated pressurized air
Implementation Method 2
a hollow transport line for transporting the elements from the feed device to the processing device... pressurized air is used as a means of transport or energy carrier, e.g. for transporting the elements
Data Source
AI summary
A system for processing elements, including a supply device, a processing device and a hollow transport line. The supply device and the processing device are connected via the hollow transfer line. The processing device processes elements, and the supply device supplies elements to the hollow transfer line so that the elements are transferred to the processing device via the hollow transfer line in order to supply the processing device with the elements. A pneumatically operated system component is provided to operate the system. The system includes a gas compressor unit for providing compressed and/or accelerated pressurised air. The gas compressor unit is in an installation space that accommodates the system. The gas compressor unit takes air in from the environment of the processing device and/or from the environment of the supply device in the installation space and provides compressed and/or accelerated pressurised air for the pneumatically operated system component.