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Published in:
2021 | OriginalPaper | Chapter
Theoretical and Experimental Evaluation of Compressed Air Leakages
Authors : Manuel Unger, Peter Radgen
Published in: Energy Efficiency in Motor Systems
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
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Abstract
The use of compressed air (CA) is common in almost every industrial sector and requires a significant share of the overall electricity consumption. Many studies have underlined the importance of energy efficiency in compressed air systems and have highlighted two key areas for the improvement of energy efficiency in compressed air systems, heat recovery and use and the reduction of air leakages. However, there is very little research so far on the quantification of air leaks and the effects and relations of leak configurations, pressures and air quality. The quantification of air leakages is still based on rather rough assumptions and calculations with a broad band of values and only few experimental evaluations.
This chapter will describe the range of published leakage rates for predefined geometries and pressures, which shows deviations of up to 65%. Therefore, the calculation techniques and experimental setups of relevant publications are examined, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses. An improved and comprehensive simulation model for a detailed calculation of leakages will be presented. The model enables the user to vary a set of parameters (e.g. system pressure, system temperature, pressure dew point …) to gain a detailed understanding of leakage rates under different conditions.
An experimental setup has been developed and commissioned. The setup allows the precise measurement of defined leakages. Experimental data are used to further improve and validate the simulation model. The chapter will present reliable data on leakage rates for standard geometries such as circular holes, based on high-precision measurements. The chapter will also describe the procedures how the artificial leakages are precisely manufactured and quality controlled. Encountered challenges will be discussed and the found solutions presented.