Multi-Compressor Energy Modeling for Optimal Compressor Combinations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for controlling multiple compressor systems lack a comprehensive approach to gauge energy consumption for producing a unit of mass or volume of compressed gas, especially when dealing with systems comprising compressors of different types, designs, and pressures, making optimization and design challenging due to limited design or performance data from manufacturers.
Innovation Solution
A method is developed to construct ideal specific energy consumption curves for individual and combined compressors, creating a theoretical operation model that accounts for various compressor combinations and operating conditions, allowing for the selection of optimal compressor configurations to achieve best performance, independent of system pressure changes and incorporating factors like intake air temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If traditional control methods are used for multiple compressor systems, then the system can operate with basic functionality, but energy efficiency and optimization capability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing ideal specific energy consumption curves for individual compressors and for various compressor combinations before actual operation. These curves are constructed based on compressor performance characteristics and stored for rapid reference during system operation, eliminating the need for complex real-time optimization calculations while achieving optimal energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates ideal specific energy consumption curves that represent theoretical optimal performance for each compressor and compressor combination. These curves serve as simplified models or copies of complex thermodynamic relationships, allowing the control system to reference pre-determined optimal operating points without performing complex real-time simulations, thus improving energy efficiency while maintaining manageable system complexity.
2Measurement precision
If detailed design and performance data from manufacturers is available, then comprehensive optimization can be achieved, but such data is rarely provided making optimization difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the multiple compressor system to self-determine its optimal operating characteristics by constructing ideal specific energy consumption curves from readily available basic compressor data. The system performs its own optimization analysis without requiring external detailed design data from manufacturers, effectively serving itself to overcome the information gap created by manufacturers not providing comprehensive performance data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the optimization approach by changing from requiring detailed manufacturer design data to using basic compressor parameters (such as rated power, flow rate, and pressure ratio) to construct ideal specific energy consumption curves. This parameter transformation allows accurate energy measurement and optimization using only commonly available data, compensating for the loss of detailed design information.
3Adaptability or versatility
If compressors of different types, designs, and pressures are used in a system, then system versatility and adaptability are improved, but gauging and optimizing energy consumption becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal methodology and set of ideal specific energy consumption curves that can be applied to any combination of compressors regardless of their type, design, or pressure ratings. The approach uses a consistent framework for constructing and comparing energy consumption curves across diverse compressor configurations, enabling accurate energy gauging and optimization for heterogeneous compressor systems without requiring compressor-specific measurement techniques.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention describes a method for gauging energy used for producing a unit of mass or volume of compressed gas (Specific Energy Consumption) in relation to a common output flow in a multiple compressor system, said method comprising: —from a first compressor, constructing an ideal specific energy consumption curve in the first compressor as a function of the output flow of the first compressor; and —from a first compressor and a second compressor, constructing a combined ideal specific energy consumption specific energy consumption curve in the first compressor and the second compressor as a function of the combined output flow of the first compressor and the second compressor, wherein the method involves constructing one or several ideal specific energy consumption curve(s) for multiple combined compressors, in any combination(s), and wherein the method involves creating a theoretical operation model for the multiple compressor system.