Title: OVERALL EFFICIENCY CONSIDERATION OF PNEUMATIC SYSTEMS INCLUDING COMPRESSOR, DRYER, PIPE AND ACTUATOR
Abstract: This paper shows how to analyze the energy efficiencies of typical pneumatic equipment. Firstly, a proposed new item, air power, is introduced as the quantitative standard of energy in compressed air. Then, a pneumatic system is divided to the four parts: air production, cleaning, transmission and consumption for discussion. In air production, compressor including cooler is discussed. After discussion on the overall adiabatic and isothermal efficiencies, the overall efficiency of compressor is defined with air power and proposed as the final energy-conversion efficiency. In air cleaning, energy efficiencies of air dryer and filter are investigated and their general data are given. In air transmission, the energy losses due to pressure loss in pipe and air leaks are discussed, and the energy saving effect of a regulator is shown. In air consumption, the energy distribution in a cylinder actuation is clarified. The efficiency analysis methods discussed in this study will be greatly helpful to an energy-saving equipment selection.