Abstract

In compressed air systems, mechanical and organic losses account for 15% of compressor energy consumption. In the current research, the energy saving potential achievable through friction power reduction in sliding vane rotary compressors was investigated using experimental and modeling approaches. Tests on a new mid-size industrial compressor operating at different steady conditions (outlet pressure 9, 12.5, 14.5 bar at 1000 and 1500 RPM) assessed the machine performance through measurement of mechanical power and the reconstruction of the pressure-volume diagram. An experimental methodology was also developed to quantify the power lost by friction and its measurement uncertainty using the concept of indicated mean effective pressure. Modeling the compressor blade dynamics allowed a friction power decomposition while an analysis of the hydrodynamic lubrication at the most severe friction location, namely between blade tip and stator wall, additionally provided the oil film thickness evolution along the contact surface. The agreement between modeling and experimental data identified a value for the friction coefficient of 0.065. Design suggestions on existing machines and new design solutions were eventually outlined varying blade mass, revolution speed and compressor aspect ratio. These improved configurations predicted an efficiency increase up to 6%. The authors acknowledge Ing. Enea Mattei S.p.A. and particularly its CEO, Dr. Giulio Contaldi, for continuous research funding and support. The work has been done also under the FP7 Project “Complete Vehicle Energy-Saving CONVENIENT” funded by the European Commission.

Abstract

Positive displacement compressors lead the market of compressed air production for industrial applications. Among them, sliding vane rotary compressors represent an energetically virtuous alternative to the current compression technologies. In the present work, the effects of compressor design parameters were investigated through a comprehensive approach that aimed at addressing more efficient machines to promote sliding vane compressors as the key enabling technology in compressed air systems. A comprehensive mathematical model was developed to study the main phenomena occurring in this kind of compressors. The model provides the cell volume evolution over a whole rotation during which filling, compression and discharge processes occur. The first and latter phases are described by the quasi-propagatory approach that represents the inertial, capacitive and resistive features of one-dimensional unsteady flows. The dynamics of the compressor blades led to four different arrangements inside the rotor slots while an analysis of the hydrodynamic lubrication established between blade tip and stator wall focused on the oil film thickness evolution to prevent dry contacts. An extensive experimental campaign on a mid-size industrial compressor allowed the model validation at different outlet pressure levels and revolution speeds using a direct measurement of mechanical power and the reconstruction of the indicator diagram from piezoelectric pressure transducers. The friction coefficient at the contact points between blades with stator and rotor was estimated in 0.065 and further improvements of the mechanical efficiency were eventually addressed considering the roles of compressor aspect ratio, revolution speed, and blade tilt. The first two theoretical optimizations might lead to an increase of the compressor efficiency of 2 and 9 percentage points respectively. On the other hand, acting on the blade tilt would not produce relevant improvements. The Authors acknowledge Ing. E. Mattei S.p.A. and particularly its CEO, Dr. Giulio Contaldi, for continuous research funding and support. The work has been done also under the FP7 Project ‘‘Complete Vehicle Energy-Saving CONVENIENT’’ founded by the European Commission.

Abstract

In industrial contexts, electrical energy for compressed air represents an important share of the global electricity consumption: this figure accounts for 4–5% of the total. Among the existing compressor technologies, rotary volumetric machines proved to be more suitable than other types (dynamic, reciprocating, etc.) in terms of pressure and flow rate delivered. Even though not as widespread as screw machines, but thanks to the technological improvements made in the last two decades, sliding vane rotary compressors are characterized by premium specific energy consumptions and demonstrate an unforeseen potential in terms of energy saving due to some intrinsic features specifically related to these machines. The current research focuses on an innovative oil injection technology that is not only able to fulfill the sealing and lubrication requirements but also to cool the air during the compression phase. A comparison between the mathematical model of the new oil injection technology and the experimental p-V diagrams measured through a set of piezoelectric transducers is shown. The compression work reduction, predicted in the model and further measured at the shaft and observed in the indicator diagrams, gives a strong consistency to the injection technology. The work has been done under the FP7 project ‘‘Complete Vehicle Energy-saving – CONVENIENT’’ funded by the European Commission.

Abstract

"jats:p"Modern means of transport are basically powered by piston internal combustion engines. Increasingly rigorous demands are placed on IC engines in order to minimise the detrimental impact they have on the natural environment. That stimulates the development of research on piston internal combustion engines. The research involves experimental and theoretical investigations carried out using computer technologies. While being filled, the cylinder is considered to be an open thermodynamic system, in which non-stationary processes occur. To make calculations of thermodynamic parameters of the engine operating cycle, based on the comparison of cycles, it is necessary to know the mean constant value of cylinder pressure throughout this process. Because of the character of in-cylinder pressure pattern and difficulties in pressure experimental determination, in the present paper, a novel method for the determination of this quantity was presented. In the new approach, the iteration method was used. In the method developed for determining the volumetric efficiency, the following equations were employed: the law of conservation of the amount of substance, the first law of thermodynamics for open system, dependences for changes in the cylinder volume vs. the crankshaft rotation angle, and the state equation. The results of calculations performed with this method were validated by means of experimental investigations carried out for a selected engine at the engine test bench. A satisfactory congruence of computational and experimental results as regards determining the volumetric efficiency was obtained. The method for determining the volumetric efficiency presented in the paper can be used to investigate the processes taking place in the cylinder of an IC engine. Document type: Article