Hi,
I was going through the log sheets of the compressors at my plant and i observed that 2 of the three compressors we have (rated at 45KW, 6m3/min) have a loaded hours/total running hours ratio of 0.5. Considering this duty cycle of 0.5 and current power tariff considerable amount has been wasted. I studied the topic a bit and found out that if the pressure setting of the compressors is to be changed to a sort of cascaded arrangement then power can be saved. Currently all three compressors load at a pressure of 7 bar and unload at 7.5 bar. I the pressure setting is changed as follows;
compressor 1 unload-load----> 7.6-7.0
compressor 2 7.3-6.8
compressor 3 7.2-6.7
We have 2 IR MM37GD (rotary screw oil injected 45Kw, 6m3/min) and a renner (rotary screw oil injected 37KW,5.5m3/min) compressor. The plant air demand fluctuates widely.
Please can anybody explain the reasoning behind this in terms of power savings and implications in terms of air supply and that what could be the most optimum settings. I have never worked with compressors before kindly be as explanatory as possible.