Method for optimizing performance of a compressor using inlet guide vanes and drive speed and implementation thereof

A system, comprising:

• a compressor having a drive unit, an impeller coupled to the drive unit, and an inlet guide vane assembly in flow connection with the impeller, the inlet guide vane assembly comprising an actuator and an inlet guide vane coupled with the actuator;
• and
• a controller coupled with the compressor, the controller configured to execute one or more executable instructions, the executable instruction comprising instructions for:
• performing one or more iterations of an optimization process, each iteration defining a combination of operating settings for the compressor, the combination defining a value for a speed for the drive unit and a position for the inlet guide vane, the optimization process comprising,
• selecting among a plurality of operating scenarios for the compressor, each of the plurality of operating scenarios corresponding with a different relative position between a threshold value and a measured value for an operating flow rate and an operating pressure, the operating flow rate and the operating pressure relating to fluid discharging from the compressor at the value for the speed for the drive unit and the position for the inlet guide vane;
• modifying the value of one or more of the speed of the drive unit and the position of the inlet guide vane in accordance with the selected operating scenario;
• configuring the compressor to operate at the value of the speed of the drive unit and the position of the inlet guide vane;
• and
• completing the one or more iterations of the optimization process in response to the compressor operating at a minimum power consumption value with the measured value for the operating flow rate and the operating pressure at a setpoint threshold for the compressor,
• wherein the plurality of operating scenarios maintain the value for the speed of the drive unit and the position of the inlet guide vane at or above a minimum value and at or below a maximum value for the speed of the drive unit and the position of the inlet guide vanes.

A controller, comprising:

• a processor,
• memory coupled with the processor;
• and
• executable instructions stored on the memory and configured to be executed by the processor, the executable instruction for,
• performing one or more iterations of an optimization process, each iteration defining a combination of operating settings for the compressor, the combination defining a value for a speed for the drive unit and a position for the inlet guide vane, the optimization process comprising,
• selecting among a plurality of operating scenarios for the compressor, each of the plurality of operating scenarios corresponding with a different relative position between a threshold value and a measured value for an operating flow rate and an operating pressure, the operating flow rate and the operating pressure relating to fluid discharging from the compressor at the value for the speed for the drive unit and the position for the inlet guide vane;
• modifying the value of one or more of the speed for the drive unit and the position for the inlet guide vane in accordance with the selected operating scenario;
• and
• configuring the compressor to operate at the value of the speed of the drive unit and the position of the inlet guide vane;
• and
• completing the one or more iterations of the optimization process in response the compressor operating at a minimum power consumption value with the measured value for the operating flow rate and the operating pressure at a setpoint threshold for the compressor,
• wherein the plurality of operating scenarios maintain the value for the speed of the drive unit and the position of the inlet guide vane at or above a minimum value and at or below a maximum value for the speed of the drive unit and the position of the inlet guide vanes.