Using an Air Compressor as an Electric Generator

hi,

Frist store the compressed air in a tank and then with pressure regulator pass the air to motor with runs in compressed air (this you get it in festo company) connect the air motor to Generator with couplings.

you get continuous power supply.

Efficiency of doing this may be poorer than storing charge and using it. 90% efficiency is good and less than 80% efficiency is real bad.

I am sorry, i dont understand the question, you say air compressor, then Cummings Diesel Engine. Is the compressor connected to a Diesel Drive Train?

Scify lover,

This curiosity of possible conversion of potential energy of compressed air cylinder into electrical energy is a good topic, as regard to storage of electrical energy into compressed air and use as and when required. I hope your attempt is on those grounds. In case of a shear research curiosity, you take outlet connection air tube with regulator from the compressor, pass the air jet on closed rotor blades, like the ones used in compressed air used drilling machines. This rotor shaft run by compressed air can be connected to a generator. This is an energy storage device like thing ,likely to have loss of energy and reduced efficiency levels.Other than this diesel engine power to compressed air and then to electrical generator is a long and ineffective method.I am not an electrical engineer ,but have similar line of thoughts.

This is too expensive to convert and engine may not have the right components for generator duty. Far too complex to explain here as it is multi-subjects:

1) Speed and power curve of engine for 50 Hz or 60 Hz operation. Speed may be different for air compressors. In small size generator, engine speed must be 'fixed' at 3600 RPM 60 Hz 2 pole generator, 3000 RPM 50 Hz two pole, 1800 RPM 60 Hz 4 pole generator or 1500 RPM 50 Hz 4 pole generator

2) Engine governor will not be correct type; changing will be very expensive

3) De-rating for altitude and ambient temp may make the output less than expected

4) Generator, regulator, control panel

5) Coupling, steel base frame to hold it all in alignment to tolerance of thickness of a human hair

6) Instruments

7) Breaker

Better to find a generator set that has a destroyed engine and throw out the engine and try to weld something together to mount your air compressor engine to the existing generator set which has all the electrical things ready. But engine governor is still a problem Air compressor likely has 10-15% governor and gen set of this size needs 3% or better.

If you don't understand the terms above, don't attempt it. It may kill you.

G

www.pneumatika.eu/soubory/142-1123154.pdf

ramaraj@mpowerautomation.in