Track: Energy

Abstract

This research aims at obtaining the optimum point of operation for an industrial equipment that acts as a solids feeder in an industrial pneumatic conveying system, named Batchpump. The optimization method used is that of empirical measurements to a prototype that lead to increasing energy efficiency by manipulating end-of-cycle pressure. The laboratorial setup included, in addition to the 100 liter ejector (Batchpump) a conveying pipeline of  133m length 3 inch diameter, with a difference of height of 5 m. This experiment analyzed several measured variables regarding each cycle total time, cumulative mass conveyed as well as the pressure achieved. The results are presented in terms of the two calculated variables: transport rate (kg of conveyed solids per minute) and energy efficiency (kg of conveyed solids per Joule energy inserted in the system). The transport rate values show a direct relation between the operating pressure and the optimum working point at 1.6 bar. The tests showed that due to the higher flow restriction a decrease in the transport rate occurs. The energy efficiency showed a behavior directly proportional to the end-of-cycle pressure and the flow restriction.