SCORG for Performance Enhancement and Optimization of Screw Compressors
In our third and final blog of the series, we discuss how screw compressors can be used for hydrogen applications and how SCORG can maximize the potential of your screw compressors to meet these hydrogen application needs, specifically with regards to performance enhacement. From our previous blogs, we have learned that hydrogen plays a pivotal role in global decarbonization initiatives and holds strategic significance for future energy security. We also learned more about screw compressors and the challenges associated with hydrogen compression. Get ready to put it all together.
Screw Compressors Offering Solutions in Hydrogen Applications
As discussed in our previous blog, screw compressors can be used in the hydrogen production phase or injection into the transport grid. Various natural sources can produce hydrogen on a large scale. In other words, to use hydrogen, there is a shift from oil-flooded screw compressors to oil-free and water-injected machines.
Electrolysers, powered by electricity, split water to make hydrogen and oxygen. Compressors play a critical role in elevating hydrogen to pressures ranging from 30 to 80 bar. Positioned near electrolyzers, screw compressors can establish initial pressure levels, with future potential for booster compressors as networks expand. Injection stations, where hydrogen blends into natural gas streams, rely on compressors to facilitate this crucial process. Applications have different purity needs, with de-oxo dryers for high purity or allowing more tolerance for certain uses, simplifying processes, and cutting costs.
Unlike alternative compression technologies, screw compressors excel in handling high-volume flows while requiring comparatively smaller footprints and incurring lower initial investment costs. This advantage becomes even more pronounced when factoring in additional groundwork and construction expenses. As a result, compactly designed screw packages emerge as the optimal techno-economic solution, particularly in the low-pressure range.
SCORG for Performance Enhancement and Optimisation
The SCORG software, developed by PDM Analysis Ltd, is designed to optimize the performance and energy efficiency of positive displacement machines. It is a valuable tool in making your machines more energy-efficient by offering the following features and capabilities.
Performance and Efficiency Analysis
Performance Analysis: SCORG software provides a detailed performance analysis of screw compressors and expanders. It can identify areas where energy is wasted, such as excessive clearances or inefficient compression processes.
Loss Analysis: SCORG can pinpoint losses in the machine, including clearance leakage losses, friction losses, and other inefficiencies, and provide recommendations for reducing these losses to enhance energy efficiency.
Scenario Analysis: SCORG can run various scenarios and simulations to determine the most energy-efficient settings, considering different operating conditions and variables. This includes oil-free and water-injected compressors which have been a main subject of research for project SECRET at City, University of London.
Diagnostics and Recommendations
Performance Diagnostics: SCORG can be used as a digital twin of a screw machine to help diagnose performance issues and provide actionable insights for improving energy efficiency.
Optimization Recommendations: SCORG provides recommendations for improving the energy efficiency of the machine, such as suggested modifications, operational changes, or maintenance practices to reduce energy waste.
Operational Guidance: SCORG can provide recommendations on how to operate machines more efficiently, such as suggestions for maintaining a constant speed or adapting to variable demand.
Sizing and Selection Assistance: The software can assist in the proper sizing and selection of PDMs for specific applications, helping users avoid oversizing, which can lead to energy waste.
Maintenance Planning: The software can assist with predictive maintenance by identifying potential energy efficiency issues, allowing for proactive maintenance actions. For example, SCORG can calculate bearing loads and subsequently predict the bearing life.
VIsualization, Simulation and Reporting
Efficiency Mapping: SCORG can generate efficiency maps or performance curves for your machine, helping users visualize the machine’s efficiency under different operating conditions. This enables operators to identify and select the most energy-efficient operating points.
3D Modeling and Simulation: Advanced modeling and simulation tools can help analyze and refine the design, taking into account fluid dynamics, heat transfer, and stress analysis to create an efficient machine.
Data Visualization and Reporting: SCORG offers data visualization and reporting capabilities, enabling users to track and monitor energy efficiency improvements over time.
Energy Savings Estimation
Energy Recovery: SCORG can identify opportunities to recover and reuse energy that would otherwise be wasted, which helps in designing heat exchangers or energy storage systems.
Informed Decisions: The software can estimate potential energy savings from recommended changes, helping users make informed decisions about investments in machine upgrades or modifications.
Design Optimization: Optimization software can help design the internal components, such as rotors, valves, and seals, for optimal fluid flow and reduced friction, thereby improving efficiency.
Summarizing the Benefits of SCORG
By utilizing the SCORG software, operators and engineers can gain valuable insights into the performance of their screw machines. SCORG provides data-driven insights enabling you to implement measures to enhance their energy efficiency. You reduce energy consumption, operational costs, and environmental impact by enabling machines to operate at their peak efficiency. SCORG is a powerful tool for achieving sustainable and energy-efficient industrial operations.
Try SCORG today by downloading a demo, or the cloud version of SCORG alto.
SCORG for Hydrogen Applications
As mentioned, the shift to oil-free solutions requires high temperatures when compressing so water is used to keep temperatures down. However, water presents its challenges such as corrosion or low viscosity. To meet these challenges, it is important to analyze scenarios and prevent these losses from occurring. SCORG can do just that whether it’s to analyze water content or evaporation.
SCORG can analyze the volume flow of all types of screw compressors by adjusting the speed and identifying the standard load changes. Ultimately, it can help identify the right radial bearing that provides the right trade-off between maximum forces and minimum speed, influencing the control range for volume flow. The result is the best solution from both a technical and economic perspective based on specific application scenarios.
As pressure increases and gas density decreases, gap losses tend to be higher so identifying potential losses due to evaporation is important. Improving sealing and reducing internal clearances between rotors, housing, and bearings increases delivery and efficiency rates. SCORG identifies these losses through various applications and scenario simulations, providing insights on minimizing losses for energy efficiency.
Conclusion
The future of hydrogen in a sustainable society looks promising, with ongoing forums emphasizing the adaptability of compression techniques and encouraging innovation. With SCORG, you can anticipate market demands and enhance and optimize your compressors to adapt to hydrogen compression needs. SCORG is your partner in energy efficiency and a more sustainable future.
In conclusion, addressing the challenges related to hydrogen purity, capacity, and pressure is not just a necessity but a critical success factor for the deployment of compressors in diverse hydrogen applications. Striking this balance ensures the reliability, efficiency, and environmental sustainability of hydrogen-related processes across a spectrum of industries. Stay tuned as we continue to explore the forefront of hydrogen technology and its transformative impact on our world.
The efficiency and reliability of compression are indispensable throughout the entire hydrogen energy chain. While established compression methods exist for various facets of the hydrogen cycle, adapting technologies initially designed for natural gas may be necessary. As the need grows for increased capacity, higher pressure, and more intermittent operation, there will be a requirement to extend the current performance of compressors.
The Future is Hydrogen Compression Blog Series
In this 3 part blog series titled The Future is Hydrogen we explore the growing demand for an eco-friendly hydrogen economy. Hydrogen is becoming a crucial energy carrier with many countries adopting strategies to cut carbon emissions and link different sectors. The hydrogen compressor sector is going to play a pivotal role in this journey so join us as we explore the what, why, and hows of Hydrogen compression.
Blog 1: An Introduction to Hydrogen Compression
Blog 2: Screw Compressors and the Challenges of Hydrogen Compression
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