Transmission and Consumption of Air Power in Pneumatic System

Abstract

In recent 20 years, energy saving has been done in many projects. However, in pneumatic system, it is not easy to determine or measure the air power flow because of the compressibility of pneumatic system. In this paper, we used air power meter (APM) to measure the energy consumption of flow in pneumatic cylinder actuator system. Meter-in circuit and meter-out circuit of speed control system are used in this research. The model of cylinder system is based on four equations: state equation of air, energy equation, motion equation and flow equation. The model estimates the pressure change in charge and discharge side of cylinder, and also the displacement and velocity of the piston. Furthermore, energy consumption could theoretically be calculated when the change of air state is regarded as isothermal change. Lastly, some data of these two circuits are shown, and the consumption of energy is discussed.