Research of methods of increasing the energy efficiency of compressed air production by mine turbocompressors

Abstract

Modern technological processes of industrial enterprises are provided by various energy carriers. The choice of rational energy carriers is determined by technological conditions, technical and economic indicators of production processes and energy supply conditions. Along with the main energy carriers, such as boiler and furnace fuel, thermal and electrical energy, water, compressed air is widely used in many industries. This is fa-cilitated by its special properties: elasticity, transparency, harmlessness, fire safety, in-ability to condense, fast pressure transfer and unlimited supply of atmospheric air in na-ture. Compressed air is one of the most expensive energy carriers used in industry. One kilojoule of energy obtained from a factory network of compressed air is seven to ten times more expensive than a kilojoule of energy used in an electric drive. This is due to the fact that the production of compressed air itself requires expensive compressor equipment and an air conditioning system that includes, among other things, a dehu-midification system. Nevertheless, the specific weight of this type of energy in modern production is quite large. On average, compressed air production in industrialized coun-tries accounts for about 10% of the total energy balance. At a number of industrial enter-prises, the consumption of electricity for the production of compressed air reaches 20 - 30% of the total amount of consumed electrical energy. Therefore, in systems of produc-tion and distribution of compressed air, the task of energy saving is very relevant, which is achieved by increasing the efficiency of compressors, rational use of compressed air by pneumatic receivers and reducing its losses during production and transportation to con-sumers. So, the article discusses methods of increasing the efficiency of compressed air production and distribution systems. Methods and methods of reducing the specific con-sumption of electricity for the production of compressed air at compressor stations, its losses in the production and distribution systems, as well as increasing the productivity, efficiency and reliability of the operation of compressor stations are proposed.