Air compressor systems are inefficient energy transfer devices even under
the best of conditions, at full load. When only part load is required, efficiency
drops further. This thesis attempts to improve part load efficiency of twin rotor
screw air compressors in three ways.
First, a guidebook was written to help educate compressor users and
purchasers about the significance of part load efficiency and to aid in selecting the
most efficient controls for a given application.
Second, a spreadsheet-based model was developed to analyze the
performance of cycling control strategies by performing a detailed simulation of
one complete compressor cycle. Model calculations demonstrated that cycling
losses can significantly increase average power as cycle time decreases, and that
low-unload controls may be more efficient at low loads than is traditionally
assumed.
Third, a microprocessor-based controller was designed and built to enhance
part load performance of combined modulating and unloading type control
systems. The "smart" controller is presented in this thesis. Case study results
showed energy savings of 4% to 32% over conventional controllers. / Graduation date: 1993
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ORGSU/oai:ir.library.oregonstate.edu:1957/35931 |
| Date | 16 November 1992 |
| Creators | Maxwell, Jonathan B. |
| Contributors | Wheeler, George |
| Source Sets | Oregon State University |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis/Dissertation |
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