Kaishan USA | December 06, 2023 | Uncategorized
Air compressors power pneumatic controls and help adjust blade position in wind energy applications.
Air compressors play an important role in renewable energy efforts, including solar and wind energy projects, energy recovery and even more cutting-edge technologies.
Air compressors even figure prominently in less high-profile applications such as biogas production, carbon capture and storage and electric car battery production.
The pneumatics used in producing cutting-edge EV batteries are driven by air compressors.
Virtually all renewable energy manufacturing companies use air compressors in their facilities:
Solar panel manufacturers deploy compressed air to power many of the tools they use to create and fabricate the silicon wafers that are at the heart of solar energy production. Air compressors also supply air to the pneumatic equipment used throughout the automated solar panel production process, especially fastening, connecting and testing.
Wind turbine manufacturers employ both vacuum and compressed air techniques in the resin infusion technology that molds the composite blades used in most wind applications today. Compressed air also supports the non-destructive testing processes used in turbine manufacture.
Air compressors support wind and solar energy projects by supplying air to pneumatic controls that adjust blade position on wind turbines or help position mirrors or lenses to focus sunlight in a concentrated solar plant. They are also used in cleaning operations in both technologies.
It works the other way as well, with solar systems driving compressors, especially in remote or “off-the-grid” locations. There are even wind-powered compressors.
And there are even newer renewable energy applications for the rotor technology that drives rotary screw air compressors. Applications that create smaller, more versatile versions of geothermal plants called Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC).
ORC systems use organic fluids like refrigerants or hydrocarbons to extract energy from low-temperature heat sources (as low as 176°F/ 80°C). That makes them ideal for geothermal applications.
A working fluid is pumped through a heat exchanger to a boiler, evaporated and passed through an expansion device. The rotor technology used in Kaishan’s screw compressors—working in the opposite direction from a traditional screw compressor—is one of the leading expansion techniques. As the screws rotate, the organic fluid expands, driving a generator to produce electricity.
Kaishan’s rotor technology is used by a sister company, Open Mountain Energy, which has developed several ORC plants, including Whitegrass No. 1, a 4 MW plant near Yerington, NV and the 14 MW Star Peak Geothermal plant in Imlay, Nevada.
Whitegrass No. 1 is a 4 MW binary plant near Yerington, NV. Whitegrass No. 1 was Open Mountain Energy’s first project to reach commercial operation. Open Mountain Energy is a subsidiary of the Kaishan Group.
Kaishan’s hopes that its expander equipment and energy recovery plants ultimately will produce enough power that they will offset the energy consumed by the compressors the company manufactures.
A U.S. Department of Energy study says that an ORC system could enable a combined heat and power system to achieve a total system efficiency of 85% or more. The study estimates potential financial benefits from ORC at $1.4 billion in California alone.
The good news is that you don’t have to be a combined heat and power system to take advantage of heat recovery. The typical industrial plant can also recover waste heat from compressed air systems.
It’s possible to save significant amounts of energy by recovering the heat removed from the compressed air system. It can be used in any of the following ways:
It’s possible to recover most of the heat your compressor generates, especially in winter space heating in cooler, northern climates.
Most of that energy can be used in other parts of your enterprise for space heating, preheating boiler water, water heating or even process heating (like drying).
In most cases, at least 70% to 80% of the energy used to compress the air becomes waste heat. And Compressed Air Best Practices says 90% of that heat loss can be recovered, while Manufacturing.net places the figure as high as 96%.
For more information on configuring your compressed air system to maximize heat recovery, see our blog post, “Compressor Room Design.”
Industrial and commercial facilities can also conserve energy by selecting the right compressor for their application.
We find that rotary screw air compressors are the most energy-efficient choice in industrial settings, including most renewable energy applications.
Kaishan’s KRSP and KRSP2 rotary screw compressors are backed by an unmatched lifetime airend warranty, thanks to their reliability, efficiency and long life.
Kaishan’s entire line of rotary screw air compressors has been designed for energy efficiency and reliability. Our KRSP2 units are the only two-stage air compressors available at less than 125 HP, with options as low as 30 HP. They offer leading efficiency at a competitive price point.
Kaishan’s KRSP2 premium rotary screw air compressor is the only two-stage air compressor available at less than 125 HP, with options as low as 30 HP.
Beyond choosing the right compressor, you can also improve the energy efficiency of your compressed air system by configuring it properly.
If you’re considering renewable energy applications for your facility, you may want to consult with a professional who can help you optimize your compressed air system. Find one of our independent distributors in your area to get the on-site help and consultation you need.
Kaishan rotary screw air compressors strongly support renewable energy systems in virtually all commercial and industrial uses. If you need help selecting the right rotary screw air compressor for your application, get in touch with the experts at Kaishan. Contact us today.
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Air compressors play an important role in renewable energy efforts, including solar and wind energy projects, energy recovery and even more cutting-edge technologies.
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