Study, Evaluation and Implementation of Improvement in a compressed Air Plant

Authors

  • Carlos Roberto Altafini Universidade de Caxias do Sul
  • Claudir Pereira Nunes Marcopolo S.A.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18226/23185279.v1iss1p11

Abstract

This paper presents the study of a compressed air generation system in a bus manufacturer, being evaluated the operation of the compressors to identify the electric energy consumption. A maintenance plan is elaborated to correct the air system leaks and also proposes the reuse of thermal energy generated by the compressors. Initially, as for the purpose of this paper, a revision of fundamentals related to thermodynamics transformation, are presented. Afterwards, some important electric energy concepts will lead to the understanding of the energy consumption of the compressors. Then, an overview about compressed air generation systems will be showed with the goal of understanding techniques of energetic efficiency. The tools used in this study for collecting data were the software of a compressor manufacturer with pressure transducers, and an energy analyzer. The basic concepts and their uses will be shown along this paper. The proposal of electric energy consumption reduction was achieved with the installation of compressor operation managers, there was a reduction nearly 60,600 kWh per month, which provided a monthly savings of R$19,400.00, validating the collected data. For heat recovery from the cooling air compressors, externally finned coils were sized to heat water up to 55 ºC and used in a process of heating rubber gaskets. For air leakage reduction, a working methodology to perform the corrective and preventive maintenance has been prepared, and a control system in the form of internal audit. This allowed the reduction of the air leakage was almost 50%.

 

http://dx.doi.org/10.18226/23185279.v1iss1p11

Author Biography

Carlos Roberto Altafini, Universidade de Caxias do Sul

possui graduação em Engenharia Operacional Habilitação Máquinas pela Universidade de Caxias do Sul (1975), mestrado em Engenharia Mecânica - Termotécnica pela Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (1980) e doutorado em Energética - Universita degli Studi di Padova (1998). Atualmente é professor titular da Universidade de Caxias do Sul. Tem experiência na área de Engenharia Mecânica, com ênfase em sistemas térmicos e energia, atuando principalmente nos seguintes temas: simulação de sistemas de conversão de energia, análise de processos de combustão e de gaseificação e aplicação de combustíveis fósseis e renováveis em equipamentos térmicos.

Published

10/07/2013

How to Cite

Altafini, C. R., & Nunes, C. P. (2013). Study, Evaluation and Implementation of Improvement in a compressed Air Plant. Scientia Cum Industria, 1(1), 11–18. https://doi.org/10.18226/23185279.v1iss1p11

Issue

Section

Science, Education and Engineering