Investigation of energy saving potentials in T-junction and elbow in compressed air systems

Sambandam, M. T. and Madlool, N. A. and Rahman, Saidur and Devaraj, D. and Rajakarunakaran, S. (2017) Investigation of energy saving potentials in T-junction and elbow in compressed air systems. Energy Efficiency, 10 (5). pp. 1099-1113. ISSN 1570-6478

Abstract

In recent times, the applications of numerical methods are gaining momentum to carry out critical analysis to identify electrical energy and related emission saving potential on real-time application. The chosen specific area of the current work is the simulation of compressed airflow through pipes. The pressure gradient across compressed air pipe junction was simulated, and the result showed that the minimum pressure drop occurs when a branch line is taken at an angle of 46° with horizontal from the main pipe against the conventional T branch. In case of elbow, 150-mm fillet radius gave minimum pressure drop against 90° elbow. The CFD analysis carried out on T and elbow of compressed air pipe network with various inlet air pressures of 4 × 105, 6 × 105, and 8 × 105 Pa showed that a no. of redesigned junction geometry, which is 5000, can reduce compressor electricity consumption by 127.14 MWh per annum and CO2 emission by 37.31 t per annum.