Compressed Air Turbine: A Sustainable Solution for Power Generation

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the feasibility and mechanisms of using compressed air to generate power or electricity, including inquiries about specific turbine technologies and the efficiency of such systems. Participants explore various types of turbines and compressors, as well as the theoretical aspects of energy recovery from compressed air.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about manufacturers of turbines that can run on compressed air to produce electricity.
  • Another participant suggests that most turbines could work with compressed air due to its non-corrosive nature, and mentions various types of machines that could be adapted for this purpose.
  • Some participants discuss the efficiency of generating electricity from the original source of compressed air, suggesting that it may be more cost-effective than using compressed air directly.
  • One participant proposes a specific scenario involving isothermal compression followed by adiabatic expansion, seeking to understand the energy return and temperature changes in this process.
  • A later reply emphasizes that the latter inquiry is distinct from the original question and suggests starting a new thread for clarity.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the practicality of using compressed air for power generation versus other methods, such as wind power or direct electricity generation from the original energy source. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the efficiency and viability of compressed air systems.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention various assumptions about the processes involved, including the need for specific working pressures and flow rates, as well as the theoretical aspects of energy recovery. There are also references to the need for detailed explanations and research results for more complex inquiries.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to individuals exploring alternative energy solutions, engineering students, and those researching the efficiency of compressed air systems in power generation.

pranj5
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I don't know whether this is appropriate for this part or not, but I am now looking for turbine/machinery that can be run by compressed air to produce power/electricity. Is there any manufacturer of such a machine is available?
 
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Are you referring to something like a gas turbine ?
 
No. A turbine that will run on compressed air.
 
Pretty much any turbine will work. Being air (low temp, non corrosive/reactive) opens up a lot of options.
A https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002YVBK2/?tag=pfamazon01-20 converts compressed air into shaft power, that could be coupled with a very small generator.

For a bit more power there are larger options, some I've read about in small ORC systems:

http://waset.org/publications/6420/efficiency-of-compact-organic-rankine-cycle-system-with-rotary-vane-type-expander-for-low-temperature-waste-heat-recovery (An engineering student at MIT adapted a used car aircon pump, can't find the paper right now).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rotary_vane_pump

Tesla turbine
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tesla_turbine

Screw compressor
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rotary-screw_compressor

Scroll compressor
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scroll_compressor
http://organicrankine.com/?page=orc_automobile

Even a supercharger (lobe pump):
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roots-type_supercharger

Nearly all pump & compressor types can generate shaft power when operated in 'reverse' (ie a fluid is forced through them).
There are plenty of manufacturers around but you'll need to know your working pressures, flow rates etc first. Or you could just scavenge some compressors from a junk yard and wing it.

The real question is why?
How is it that you have compressed air but need electricity?
You are much better off, in terms of cost and power generated, to generate electricity from whatever source created the compressed air in the first place, eg if your air compressor is deisel, then buy a diesel generator, you'll get maybe ten times as much electrical power per litre of diesel burnt, much cheaper in the long term, and probably cheaper capital cost too.
 
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Its better to use a wind mill to generate power.
Because you have to spend energy on compressing air anyway.
 
sachinhari93 said:
Its better to use a wind mill to generate power.
Because you have to spend energy on compressing air anyway.
Actually, I am looking for this for a special purpose. I want to know if air is first compressed isothermally and then suddenly released adiabatically, then how much of the energy consumed during compression can be returned. Let's start with an ideal case and then go back to reality.
I also want to know what would be the temperature of air after completion of such a process.
 
pranj5 said:
Actually, I am looking for this for a special purpose. I want to know if air is first compressed isothermally and then suddenly released adiabatically, then how much of the energy consumed during compression can be returned. Let's start with an ideal case and then go back to reality.
I also want to know what would be the temperature of air after completion of such a process.
This is a totally different question from what you asked in the OP. Please start a new thread and include the following in the opening post:
1. A complete explanation of what you are trying to accomplish including a list of all processes and their starting and ending pressures and temperatures. We don't want to have to guess what you are trying to do.
2. The results of your research into the principles and equations that govern the processes. We don't want to have to start from scratch.

Thread locked.
 
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