Relationship between air compressor and pressure vessel

Analysis of the collaborative relationship between air compressor and pressure vessel

As the core components of the compressed air system, air compressors and pressure vessels form a close functional coupling relationship in industrial production. Here is a professional explanation of its technical association, coordination mechanism and security system:

1. Functional complementarity

1. Air compressor: air source production unit
   • Mechanical work compresses atmospheric air to rated pressure (0.2-3.5MPa), providing power source for the system
   • Typical case: Screw air compressor, displacement range 1-100m³/min, meeting the gas demand of different scales
2. Pressure vessel: energy buffer unit
   • Store compressed air, balance system pressure fluctuations, and ensure air supply stability
   • Volume range: 0.1-100m³, selected and configured according to the peak and valley difference of gas consumption

2. System collaboration mechanism

1. Pressure matching logic
   • Set pressure of air compressor> Working pressure of pressure vessel> Demand pressure of air equipment, forming gradient air supply
   • Typical pressure chain: compressor 1.0MPa → air storage tank 0.8MPa → gas equipment 0.6MPa
2. running beat control
   • The pressure vessel uses volume buffering to enable the air compressor to operate intermittently and reduce the number of starts and stops
   • Case: The 10m³ air storage tank can reduce the number of starts and stops of a 37kW air compressor from 60 to 15 per hour

3. Security system

1. Overpressure protection mechanism
   • The pressure vessel is equipped with a safety valve (set pressure deviation ≤±3%), which will automatically relieve pressure when the pressure exceeds the limit
   • Case: Air storage tank with rated pressure of 0.8MPa, safety valve opening pressure of 0.824MPa, and return pressure of 0.752MPa
2. Fatigue life management
   • The design pressure of the pressure vessel is ≥ 1.3 times the working pressure, and the number of cycles is ≥ 100,000 times
   • Case: Carbon steel air storage tank, design pressure 1.0MPa, service life 15 years

4. Energy efficiency optimization role

1. Peak and valley adjustment function
   • Pressure vessels store compressed air during trough periods for peak periods, reducing installed power
   • Case: Configuring a 20 m ³ air storage tank can reduce the installed capacity of the air compressor by 30%
2. Thermal energy recovery potential
   • A heat exchange coil is arranged at the bottom of the pressure vessel to recover the compression heat and use it to preheat the makeup water
   • Case: The 10 m ³ air storage tank can recover 1.2 × 10 kJ of heat per hour, meeting the domestic hot water demand of 3 tons/hour

5. Typical application scenarios

1. Automobile manufacturing spraying line
   • Configuration requirements: air compressor 0.8MPa, air storage tank 5m³
   • Synergistic effect: Pressure vessel buffers the pulse gas of spray gun to ensure the uniformity of paint film thickness ±5μm
2. Food and beverage packaging line
   • Configuration requirements: Oil-free air compressor 0.6MPa, stainless steel air storage tank 2m³
   • Synergistic effect: Pressure vessels maintain a stable supply of clean compressed air, ensuring a pass rate of 99.99% for packaging tightness testing

Enterprises should establish an air compressor-pressure vessel collaborative working model to optimize gas supply strategies in real time through monitoring equipment such as pressure sensors and flow meters. Implement regular inspection of pressure vessels (external inspection once a year and comprehensive inspection once every 6 years) to ensure safe operation of the system. Through energy efficiency optimization, the comprehensive efficiency of the system can be increased by 20%-35%, the life of key equipment can be extended by 30%-50%, and the economical and efficient operation of the compressed air system can be achieved.