This content is not included in
your SAE MOBILUS subscription, or you are not logged in.
Efficiency Improvements for Compressed Air Systems
Technical Paper
2012-01-0327
ISSN: 0148-7191, e-ISSN: 2688-3627
Annotation ability available
Sector:
Language:
English
Abstract
Compressed air systems are employed in virtually all manufacturing plants, including automotive industries, and compressed air systems can account for five to twenty percent of plant energy consumption. Therefore, exploring opportunities to decrease the energy consumption of this equipment can result in significant energy and cost savings, resulting in more energy efficient automotive plants.
In this paper, a case study for a 360,000 square-foot automotive interiors plant operated by Johnson Controls andlocated in Alabama, United States is considered. The plant uses two 150 horsepower rotary screw compressors which deliver an average of 800 cubic feet per minute with an energy usage of 1,414,000 kWh per year.
A compressed air system analysis was performed at this plant using the Department of Energy (DOE) software tool AIRMaster. Energy usage was determined by measuring the current draw from the air compressors using data loggers over a period of two weeks. From the collected data, AIRMaster was used to baseline the energy consumption of the system. The tool was then used to investigate recommendations to increase the efficiency of the system.
The plant implemented the recommendation to reduce plant air pressure by installing a flow controller. By incrementally reducing pressure and monitoring plant production, system pressure was reduced from 125 psi to 95 psi. Also, compressor discharge pressure was reduced from 125 psi to 114 psi.
Following the pressure reduction program, data loggers were used to measure compressor performance and verify savings. Net savings of over $25,000/yr were determined.
Recommended Content
| Journal Article | Optimizing Compressed Air Storage for Energy Efficiency |
| Technical Paper | Reduction of MAC Power Requirement in a Small Car |
| Technical Paper | A New Turboexpansion Concept in a Twin-Charged Engine System |
Authors
Citation
Barringer III, F., Woodbury, K., and Middleton, B., "Efficiency Improvements for Compressed Air Systems," SAE Technical Paper 2012-01-0327, 2012, https://doi.org/10.4271/2012-01-0327.Also In
References
- U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Improving Compressed Air System Performance; a sourcebook for industry. Compressed Air Challenge
- Cengel, Yunus Boles, Michael Thermodynamics: An Engineering Approach 6th New York McGraw-Hill 2008
- White, Frank Fluid Mechanics 2nd New York McGraw-Hill 1986
- DOE Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy US DOE Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy September 30 2011 http://www1.eere.energy.gov/industry/bestpractices/software_airmaster.html