Cost effectiveness analysis of pressure regulation method on pneumatic cylinder circuit

Abstract

Decreasing of operating pressure in compressed air systems leads to improving of overall energy efficiency. In this paper, the focus is on the pressure reduction at the point of use. There are many methods for the pressure reduction realization but there are no exact data about the efficiency obtained for those methods and associated costs. We have identified four different methods for pressure reduction in the pneumatic circuits. Based on the conducted experiments, the diagrams of compressed air savings as a function of decreased pressure level in the pneumatic cylinder are proposed. Decreasing supply pressure for pneumatic cylinder is the most cost effective but has a number of limitations. Reduction of supply pressure in front of the actuator can be applied only when the cylinders are oversized and that is limited number of cases. If it is not possible to apply this method and cylinder is working without load in one stroke, three other methods are available. Characteristics of each method are discussed and the cost effectiveness of each method, based on obtained experimental results, is given.