Compressor inlet guide vanes

Journal Article · Thu Dec 10 04:00:00 EST 1981 · Plant Eng.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5124510

Ledder, H

Guide vanes are the object of renewed interest because they can reduce power consumption 4 to 9 percent, depending on ambient conditions. Guide vanes function to impart a varying degree of whirl to air entering the compressor inlet in response to signals from the compressor. This induced rotation of the air, in the same direction the impeller turns, reduces the amount of work required to produce the same air discharge conditions. The net result is a lowering of power requirements at the compressor inlet. Inlet guide vanes offer dual benefits - decreased power consumption or increased capacity (over throttling at the same power consumption) - allowing compressors to be operated more cheaply or more efficiently. At 50 F average temperature, a 1000 hp compressor running continually for 1 year to 100 percent design flow would save an average of 42 hp. At 4.5 cent/kWh, this saving amounts of $11,280 per year. The initial cost of the guide vane assembly for a unit of this size is $5000. Thus, the payback period for the initial investment is less than 6 months.

• Research Organization: Joy Manuf Co, Montgomeryville, PA
• OSTI ID: 5124510
• Journal Information: Plant Eng.; (United States), Journal Name: Plant Eng.; (United States) Vol. 35:25; ISSN PLENA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320303* -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Industrial & Agricultural Processes-- Equipment & Processes
COMPRESSORS
ECONOMICS
ENERGY CONSERVATION
MACHINERY
PAYBACK PERIOD
TURBOMACHINERY
VANES