Multi-stage electric compressor energy consumption optimization
AssigneeGarrett Transportation I Inc.
InventorsJaroslav Pekar, Lubomir Baramov
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Compressed gas delivery systems and controllers. A multi-stage compressor system operation with series compressors is optimized by a controller by using inter-stage pressure as a control parameter for optimization to provide reduced power consumption. A multi-compressor system with parallel compressors is controlled using optimized operation parameters for each of several parallel compressors to provide reduced power consumption.
Claims20
A controller for multi-stage compressor system for providing pressurized gas to a tank, the tank having an outlet coupled to at least one pressurized gas consuming apparatus, the compressor system having:
- a first compressor having a first inlet, a first outlet, a first impeller, and a first motor coupled to the first impeller;
- a second compressor having a second inlet, a second outlet, a second impeller, and a second motor coupled to the second impeller;
- wherein the first compressor is coupled in series with the second compressor such that the first outlet feeds gas to the second inlet;
- wherein the controller is configured to control operation of the first and second compressors as follows:
- determining a requested mass flow through the compressor system;
- receiving a desired tank pressure and a measured ambient pressure;
- calculating a target interstage pressure for gas fed from the first outlet to the second inlet by minimizing a sum of power used by the first compressor to obtain a first pressure ratio of ambient pressure to target interstage pressure at the requested mass flow, and power used by the second compressor to obtain a second pressure ratio of target interstage pressure to tank pressure at the requested mass flow;
- and
- controlling by control signals issued by the controller, the first and second compressors to achieve the target interstage pressure.
A controller for multi-stage compressor system for providing pressurized gas to a tank, the tank having an outlet coupled to at least one pressurized gas consuming apparatus, the compressor system including a plurality of compressor stages each comprising a compressor having an inlet, an outlet, an impeller, and a motor, wherein the compressor stages are coupled in sequence such that a first compressor stage inlet receives ambient air, and a last compressor stage outlet is coupled to the tank, and at least one interstage connection exists between the plurality of compressor stages, the at least one interstage connection carrying gas at an interstage pressure;
- wherein the controller is configured to control operation of the plurality of compressors as follows:
- determining a requested mass flow through the compressor system;
- receiving a desired tank pressure and a measured ambient pressure;
- calculating, for each interstage connection, a target interstage pressure minimizing a sum of power used by each compressor stage to provide the requested mass flow at the tank pressure at the last compressor stage outlet;
- and
- controlling each compressor stage by the controller issuing control signals, to achieve the target interstage pressure for each interstage connection.
A controller for a compressor system for providing pressurized gas to a tank, the tank having an outlet coupled to at least one pressurized gas consuming apparatus, the compressor system having a plurality of compressors coupled in parallel to one another to deliver compressed gas to the tank;
- each of the plurality of compressors characterized by a best efficiency point for operation, each respective best efficiency point having a respective mass flow and power consumption, the controller configured to control operation of the plurality of compressors by:
- determining and storing a plurality of optimized system operating points for the compressor system, each optimized system operating point corresponding to operation of a selected subset of the compressors at a respective best efficiency point, each of the plurality of optimized system operating points characterized by a total mass flow calculated as a sum of mass flows of the selected subset and an optimized specific energy consumption calculated as a ratio of a sum of power for the selected subset divided by the total mass flow of the optimized system operating point;
- determining a requested mass flow through the compressor system;
- identifying all optimized system operating points having a total mass flow exceeding the requested mass flow as possible first solutions;
- selecting the possible first solution having the least optimized specific energy consumption as a filling configuration for use during a filling operation of the compressor system;
- and controlling, by control signals issued by the controller, a filling operation of the compressor system to achieve the filling configuration with the plurality of compressors.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.