Energy conversion systems: The case study of compressed air, an introduction to a new simulation toolbox

The paper illustrates the simulation activities going on within the LABAC (laboratory of energy performance of compressed air systems) at the University of Pavia. The scope is to build up a simulator, based on a comprehensive energy model, enabling the end-user both to improve the system efficiency, allowing modifications on the system configuration and/or the use of alternative devices, and to properly size a pneumatic network. The final use is both for educational and test purpose. The simulator represents the laboratory plant, where the generation unit, the receiver, the cleaning up equipment and the distribution of compressed air are set in place. For the modeling, the Xcos application, graphical Scilab interface, has been used; to emphasize the potential derived by the use of this simulator, the role of increasing storage unit/receiver is investigated with respect to the system energy consumption. Several testings have been performed. The simulation reported in this paper has been carried out for 4000 s and two different configurations are investigated: the living one with 0:5 m³ vs. the alternative 6:5 m³ storage tank. A detailed approach to the identification of all equipment is proposed and energy and power considerations are reported.