5 research outputs found
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Pressure Characteristics of Hydrocyclones with Gas Injection
Focus on a solid-liquid hydrocyclone, effects of both geometric parameters and operating parameters on pressure characteristics are studied. Results of pressure when with free gas injection are obtained, and at last the energy dissipation is analyzed. The results show that with gas injection, the pressure drop values of both overflow and underflow increase simultaneously. Pressure drop ratio ( PDR) decreases with the rise of flowrate when without gas, but keeps nearly constant when with gas injection. With the rise of swirl number, pressure drop increases, while PDR declines. With the rise of gas-liquid ratio, pressure drop increases basically, while PDR remains nearly constant when with gas injection
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Optimisation of compressed air system’s energy usage through discrete event simulation: Compressor performance
Compressed air systems (CAS) utilised in manufacturing processes require significant energy input for operation. The estimated cost of producing compressed air is considered high with little transparency available when assessing its value in manufacturing. There is currently poor awareness of the performance of CAS in relation to its equipment utilisation and energy optimisation.
This paper presents a modified approach to the Energy Blocks methodology for representation and simplification of compressed airflow profiles in discrete event simulations (DES). The presented AirBlocks methodology significantly reduces the aggregate data required to represent the dynamic and interdependent nature of CAS. Combining the AirBlocks approach with manufacturing throughout productivity simulations allows a productivity oriented compressed air demand profile to be developed. This offers the capacity to estimate periods of sustained peak, average and minimum air demand, incidents of production stoppages due to air demand, incidents of production due to air starvation and, identify waste and saving potential in the system.
This paper includes an industrial case study where the AirBlocks approach was used in evaluating the performance of an existing CAS. Through simulation - poor compressor utilisation and regular incidents of air starvation were identified as symptoms of insufficient CAS volumetric capacity and an oversized compressor system in an automotive engine manufacturing plant
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The effects of reverse jet pulse over-pressurisation on dust filter performance
Industrial use of air filtration systems is widespread and the range of approaches to achieve particle capture reflects the fact that such systems need to be tailored to specific applications if good performance is to be achieved. Commonly the budget for air filtration systems is one the early victims to ‘value engineering’ in plant projects – with obvious implications for the specification of particle capture equipment. The method of cleaning filter systems can range from agitated frame supported bags to reverse jet cleaning systems (the latter becoming increasingly the norm in industry). The quality of engineering in reverse jet cleaning systems can vary considerably – with the end user usually being oblivious of the implications for life cycle for different styles of system.
This paper considers the operational aspects of parallel and tapered form pleated cartridges based on pulse pressure propagation and particle dislodgement (and more critically particle retention at different pulse conditions)
A simple energy usage toolkit from manufacturing simulation data
A fundamental problem in energy management is the inability to clearly predict any possible energy saving opportunities. The cost of both under or overestimating potential returns on investment can be prohibitive to a decision maker. In recent years the simulation of energy usage using existing manufacturing simulation tools has increased in popularity among researchers, but it is energy managers who need to see the benefits of this discipline. This paper proposes an interactive manufacturing energy management tool which makes use of existing productivity simulation models for the prediction of energy usage. An interactive Microsoft® Excel® based tool is developed to control Lanner’s WITNESS® discrete-event simulation software using Microsoft® Visual Basic® for Applications. The tool has the ability to predict potential areas where energy saving opportunities can be made within a complex manufacturing line, and is accessible from management presentations and proposals. The interactivity of the tool provides an environment which facilitates efficient hypothesis testing. The paper includes an industrial case study where the approach was used to quantify theoretical savings from certain energy usage reduction scenarios within a complex automotive engine manufacturing line
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The effect of oil and gas content on the controllability and separation in a de-oiling hydrocyclone
The effect of free gas on cyclonic oil-water separation was examined using a geometry which sought to minimise problems with gas. Tests were carried out using the purpose built oil-water separation facility at Bradford University where pre-choke conditions could be partially simulated. Firstly, tests were carried out with water and gas-water to look at flow behaviour and control parameters, then comparative tests carried out with gas-oil-water. Comparisons were also made with tests data from a conventional de-oiling hydrocyclone. The effects of gas content, feed drop size distribution, overflow size diameter and feed pressure were all investigated. A threshold effect of free gas on flow stability and separation efficiency was observed. The see-through hydrocyclone allowed the collection of semi-quantitative data on gas core diameter and behaviour and on gas slip velocity at inlet