JP6822271B2 - Compressed air supply system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a compressed air supply system.

Compressed air is used for various purposes in industrial facilities such as factories. The industrial facility is provided with a compressed air supply system that supplies compressed air. The compressed air supply system has an air compressor that produces compressed air at the feed point and supplies the generated compressed air to the point of use.

Special Publication No. 63-32990 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-132149

When multiple feed points of compressed air and multiple use points of compressed air are installed in a distributed manner, when the pressure of compressed air at one of the use points drops, the air at the feed point away from that use point Once the compressor is activated, the pressure of the compressed air at that point of use may not rise sufficiently, for example due to pressure drop in the pipeline.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a compressed air supply system capable of preventing a shortage of compressed air pressure at a point of use.

According to the aspect of the present invention, a plurality of network pipelines are laid so as to cover a plurality of supply and demand areas including each of the compressed air feed point and the compressed air use point, and connect the feed point and the use point. A plurality of air compressor groups that are distributed and installed in each of the supply and demand areas of the above and generate the compressed air at the feed point, and the compressed air that flows through the network pipeline at a detection position set in the network pipeline . A representative pressure sensor that detects a representative pressure value, a local pressure sensor that detects a local pressure value of the compressed air in each of the plurality of supply and demand areas, and a centralized remote control of the operation of the plurality of air compressor groups. The centralized control device includes a control device, a start-up priority setting unit, an operating number control unit, and a start-up priority change unit, and the start-up priority setting unit includes a plurality of the supply and demand areas. The start priority of each air compressor is set for the air compressors dispersed in the air compressor, and the operating number control unit sets the start priority based on the representative pressure value detected by the representative pressure sensor. The number of operating units of the air compressor is increased or decreased according to the start-up priority set in the unit, and the start-up priority change unit changes the start-up priority setting unit based on the local pressure values detected by the plurality of local pressure sensors. A compressed air supply system is provided that changes the starting priority of each air compressor set to.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a compressed air supply system capable of preventing a shortage of compressed air pressure at a point of use.

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing an example of a compressed air supply system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing an example of a centralized control device and a local control device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of the operation of the compressed air supply system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of the operation of the compressed air supply system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the compressed air supply system according to the present embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The components of the embodiments described below can be combined as appropriate. In addition, some components may not be used.

[Compressed air supply system]
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing an example of a compressed air supply system 1 according to the present embodiment. The compressed air supply system 1 is provided in an industrial facility such as a factory. The compressed air supply system 1 is laid so as to cover a plurality of supply and demand areas 100 including each of the compressed air feed point 2 and the compressed air use point 3, and is connected to the network pipeline 4 connecting the feed point 2 and the use point 3. , A plurality of air compressor groups 5 which are distributedly installed in each of the plurality of supply and demand areas 100 and generate compressed air at the feed point 2 are provided.

Further, the compressed air supply system 1 includes a representative pressure sensor 60 that detects the representative pressure value Pm of the compressed air circulating in the system, and a local pressure sensor that detects the local pressure value of the compressed air in each of the plurality of supply and demand areas 100. A centralized control device 10 for collectively and remotely controlling the operation of a plurality of air compressor groups 5 is provided with the communication system 7.

The feed point 2 has a compressed air supply facility that generates and supplies compressed air. Use point 3 has a compressed air use facility that uses compressed air. The plurality of feed points 2 are installed at locations separated from each other. The plurality of use points 3 are installed at locations separated from each other. Each of the plurality of feed points 2 and the plurality of use points 3 is distributedly installed in the industrial facility.

The network pipeline 4 is laid so as to connect each of the plurality of feed points 2 and the plurality of use points 3. In the present embodiment, the network line 4 is a loop type line. The network pipeline 4 has a loop-shaped main pipeline 40, a plurality of feed pipelines 8 branching from the main pipeline 40, and a plurality of youth pipelines 9 branching from the main pipeline 40. The main pipeline 40 has a plurality of connecting portions 8C connected to the feed pipeline 8 and a plurality of connecting portions 9C connected to the youth pipeline 9. The feed line 8 is connected to the main line 40 at the connecting portion 8C. The youth pipeline 9 is connected to the main pipeline 40 at the connecting portion 9C.

The feed point 2 is connected to the feed line 8. The feed point 2 supplies compressed air to the network line 4. The feed point 2 has an air compressor group 5 that generates compressed air and a local control device 30. The feed line 8 is provided with a receiver tank 20 for temporarily storing compressed air sent from the air compressor group 5, and an on-off valve 21 for opening and closing the flow path of the feed line 8.

The air compressor group 5 is composed of a plurality of air compressors 50. The feed pipe line 8 has a connecting pipe line connected to each of the plurality of air compressors 50 and a collecting pipe line in which the plurality of connecting pipe lines are aggregated. The compressed air generated by each of the plurality of air compressors 50 is supplied to the main pipe line 40 via the feed line line 8.

The receiver tank 20 is provided in the collecting pipe of the feed pipe 8. The compressed air sent out from the air compressor group 5 is temporarily stored in the receiver tank 20. The receiver tank 20 suppresses abrupt pressure fluctuations in the compressed air sent from the feed point 2.

The use point 3 is connected to the youth line 9. The use point 3 uses compressed air supplied from the feed point 2 via the network line 4. At least a part of the compressed air flowing through the main pipeline 40 is supplied to the use point 3 via the youth pipeline 9.

The equipment using compressed air of use point 3 includes, for example, an air gun or air spray that injects compressed air, an air actuator such as an air cylinder operated by compressed air, and a blow molding machine that molds parts using compressed air. Various compressed air use facilities that utilize air are exemplified. At use point 3, the product may be produced using the power of compressed air.

The supply and demand area 100 includes at least one feed point 2 and at least one use point 3. A plurality of supply and demand areas 100 are defined in industrial facilities. In this embodiment, three supply and demand areas 100A, 100B, and 100C are defined.

One supply / supply area 100 is defined by the use point 3 having the shortest distance between the feed point 2 of any of the plurality of feed points 2 and the feed point 2. In other words, one feed point 2 connected to any one of the plurality of connection portions 8C and a use point 3 connected to the connection portion 9C having the shortest distance between the connection portions 8C. The supply and demand area 100 is defined.

One supply / supply area 100 is defined by one of the plurality of feed points 2 and the use point 3 in which the compressed air sent from the feed point 2 is supplied with the smallest pressure loss. May be good. In other words, one supply / supply area 100 may be defined by the feed point 2 and the use point 3 connected by the distribution channel having the smallest pressure loss in the network line 4.

The representative pressure sensor 60 detects the representative pressure value Pm of the compressed air flowing through the flow path of the compressed air in the compressed air supply system 1. In the present embodiment, the representative pressure sensor 60 detects the pressure of compressed air at a detection position set in the main pipeline 40. That is, in the present embodiment, the representative pressure value Pm is the detected pressure value of the compressed air detected at one detection position set in the main pipeline 40.

A representative pressure sensor 60 may be provided at each of the plurality of detection positions set in the network pipeline 4. The representative pressure value Pm may be the average value of the detected pressure values at a plurality of detection positions set in the network line 4.

The local pressure sensor 6 detects the local pressure value of the compressed air in each of the supply and demand areas 100. The local pressure sensor 6 is provided at each of a plurality of detection positions set in the flow path of the compressed air in the supply / demand area 100. The local pressure sensor 6 detects the pressure of compressed air at the detection position. The detection position is set in at least a part of the network line 4 including the receiver tank 20 provided in the supply / demand area 100 and the use point 3.

In the present embodiment, the local pressure sensor 6 feeds at the detection position set in the receiver tank pressure sensor 61 and the feed line 8 that detects the pressure of the compressed air in the receiver tank 20 at the detection position set in the receiver tank 20. A feed line pressure sensor 62 that detects the pressure of the compressed air in the line 8, a network line pressure sensor 63 that detects the pressure of the compressed air in the main line 40 at a detection position set in the main line 40, and a youth line 9. The youth line pressure sensor 64 that detects the compressed air pressure of the use line 9 at the detection position set in, and the use point that detects the compressed air pressure of the use point 3 at the detection position set in use point 3. Includes pressure sensor 65.

In the following description, the local pressure value of the compressed air in the supply / supply area 100A is appropriately referred to as a local pressure value Pa, and the local pressure value of the compressed air in the supply / supply area 100B is appropriately referred to as a local pressure value Pb. The local pressure value of the compressed air at 100C is appropriately referred to as a local pressure value Pc.

Further, in the present embodiment, the local pressure value Pa is the detected pressure value of the compressed air of the receiver tank 20 provided in the supply / supply area 100A, and the local pressure value Pb is the receiver provided in the supply / supply area 100B. It is the detected pressure value of the compressed air of the tank 20, and the local pressure value Pc is the detected pressure value of the compressed air of the receiver tank 20 provided in the supply / demand area 100C.

In the present embodiment, the air compressor group 5 installed in the supply / demand area 100A is composed of three units, a first air compressor 51, a second air compressor 52, and a third air compressor 53. The air compressor group 5 installed in the supply and demand area 100B is composed of two units, a fourth air compressor 54 and a fifth air compressor 55. The air compressor group 5 installed in the supply and demand area 100C is composed of two units, a sixth air compressor 56 and a seventh air compressor 57.

The central control device 10 and the local control device 30 wirelessly communicate with each other via the communication system 7. Further, the centralized control device 10, the representative pressure sensor 60, and the local pressure sensor 6 wirelessly communicate with each other via the communication system 7.

The centralized control device 10 collectively remotely controls the operation of the plurality of air compressor groups 5 based on at least one of the representative pressure value Pm and the local pressure values Pa, Pb, and Pc. The centralized control device 10 transmits a command signal to the local control device 30 via the communication system 7 to remotely control the air compressor group 5.

[Centralized control device and local control device]
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the centralized control device 10 and the local control device 30 according to the present embodiment.

The communication system 7 includes a wireless communication device 71 connected to the centralized control device 10, a wireless communication device 72 connected to the local control device 30, a wireless communication device 73 connected to the representative pressure sensor 60, and a local pressure sensor. It has a wireless communication device 74 connected to 6.

The centralized control device 10 can wirelessly communicate with each of the plurality of local control devices 30 via the communication system 7. The centralized control device 10 transmits a command signal to the local control device 30 via the communication system 7.

The centralized control device 10 can wirelessly communicate with the representative pressure sensor 60 via the communication system 7. The representative pressure sensor 60 transmits a representative pressure value Pm to the centralized control device 10 via the communication system 7.

The centralized control device 10 can wirelessly communicate with the local pressure sensor 6 via the communication system 7. The local pressure sensor 6 transmits the local pressure values Pa, Pb, and Pc to the centralized control device 10 via the communication system 7.

The centralized control device 10 includes a computer system, and has an arithmetic processing unit and a storage device. The arithmetic processing unit includes a microprocessor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The storage device includes a non-volatile memory such as ROM (Read Only Memory) or a volatile memory such as RAM (Random Access Memory). Similarly, the local control device 30 includes a computer system and includes an arithmetic processing unit and a storage device.

The centralized control device 10 includes a pressure value acquisition unit 11, a start priority order setting unit 12, an operating number control unit 13, a start priority change unit 14, a storage unit 15, and an input / output unit 16.

The pressure value acquisition unit 11 acquires the representative pressure value Pm from the representative pressure sensor 60 and acquires the local pressure values Pa, Pb, Pc from the local pressure sensor 6 via the communication system 7. The position data indicating the detection position of the local pressure sensor 6 is stored in the storage unit 15. The local pressure sensor 6 transmits the local pressure values Pa, Pb, and Pc together with the identification data of the local pressure sensor 6 to the centralized control device 10. The pressure value acquisition unit 11 acquires the local pressure values Pa, Pb, Pc whose detection positions are specified based on the position data of the local pressure sensor 6 and the identification data of the local pressure sensor 6 stored in the storage unit 15. can do.

The start priority setting unit 12 targets the air compressors 50 (51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57) dispersed in a plurality of supply and demand areas 100A, 100B, 100C, and sets the start priority of each air compressor 50. To set.

The operating number control unit 13 increases or decreases the number of operating units of the air compressor 50 according to the starting priority set in the starting priority setting unit 12 based on the representative pressure value Pm detected by the representative pressure sensor 60. The operation number control unit 13 outputs a command signal for collectively remote control of the operation of the plurality of air compressors 50 to the local control device 30.

The start priority change unit 14 changes the start priority of each air compressor 50 set in the start priority setting unit 12 based on the local pressure values Pa, Pb, and Pc detected by the plurality of local pressure sensors 6. To do.

The centralized control device 10 is connected to the input device 17. The input device 17 includes, for example, at least one of a computer keyboard, a switch button, and a touch panel. The input device 17 is operated by the user of the compressed air supply system 1. Upon being operated by the user, the input device 17 generates input data and outputs it to the centralized control device 10.

The local control device 30 includes a command signal acquisition unit 32, a local control unit 33, a storage unit 34, and an input / output unit 35. The command signal acquisition unit 32 acquires a command signal from the centralized control device 10. The local control unit 33 controls the air compressor group 5. The control of the air compressor group 5 includes the start, stop, and capacity control of the air compressor 50. The local control unit 33 controls the air compressor group 5 in either the remote mode or the local mode. The remote mode is a control mode in which a plurality of air compressors 50 are heteronomously controlled by command signals from the centralized control device 10. The local mode is a control mode in which a plurality of air compressors 50 are autonomously controlled without depending on a command signal from the centralized control device 10.

[motion]
Next, the operation of the compressed air supply system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, for example, in consideration of the conditions of the base load and peak load of the compressed air, the priority supply destination area of the compressed air, and the like, the start priority setting unit 12 sets the start priority of the plurality of air compressors 50. Is set. The operating number control unit 13 increases or decreases the number of operating units of the air compressor 50 according to the starting priority set in the starting priority setting unit 12 based on the representative pressure value Pm detected by the representative pressure sensor 60. When the representative pressure value Pm is lower than the pressure value for increasing the number of units, the operating unit control unit 13 sequentially starts the air compressor 50 according to the starting priority, and when the representative pressure value Pm exceeds the pressure value for decreasing the number of units, the starting priority is given. The air compressor 50 is sequentially stopped according to the procedure. The pressure value for increasing the number of units and the pressure value for decreasing the number of units are threshold values for the representative pressure value Pm. The pressure value for increasing the number of units and the pressure value for decreasing the number of units may be specified by, for example, the user of the compressed air supply system 1. The user can specify the pressure value for increasing the number of units and the pressure value for decreasing the number of units by operating the input device 17. The pressure value for increasing the number of units and the pressure value for decreasing the number of units may be the same value or different values.

On the other hand, when the local pressure values Pa, Pb, and Pc of the plurality of supply and demand areas 100A, 100B, and 100C meet the predetermined conditions, the start-up priority changing unit 14 uses the local pressure sensors 6 to detect the local pressures. Based on the pressure values Pa, Pb, and Pc, the start-up priority of each air compressor 50 set in the start-up priority setting unit 12 is changed. The operating number control unit 13 increases or decreases the number of operating units of the air compressor 50 according to the starting priority changed to the starting priority changing unit 14.

3 and 4 are schematic views for explaining an example of the operation of the compressed air supply system 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 shows an example of the start state or the stop state of the plurality of air compressors 50 before the start priority change. FIG. 4 shows an example of a start state or a stop state of the plurality of air compressors 50 after the start priority is changed.

The activation priority before changing the activation priority is set in the activation priority setting unit 12. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the first air compressor 51 is the first, the second air compressor 52 is the fourth, and the third air compressor 53 is the seventh before the start priority is changed. The 4th air compressor 54 is the 2nd place, the 5th air compressor 55 is the 5th place, the 6th air compressor 56 is the 3rd place, and the 7th air compressor 57 is the 6th place. is there.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, the first air compressor 51 (first place), the fourth air compressor 54 (second place), and the sixth air compressor 56 are started (third place) according to the starting priority, and the third air compressor 56 is started. The 2 air compressor 52 (4th place), the 5th air compressor 55 (5th place), the 7th air compressor 57 (6th place), and the 3rd air compressor 53 (7th place) are stopped.

In the present embodiment, the start-up priority changing unit 14 compares the local pressure values Pa, Pb, and Pc detected by the plurality of local pressure sensors 6 with each other, and the maximum value and the minimum value of the local pressure values Pa, Pb, Pc. If the difference from and exceeds the reference value, the starting priority of the air compressor 50 is changed. That is, when the pressure gradient between the local pressure values Pa, Pb, and Pc is large, the starting priority of the air compressor 50 is changed.

The start priority changing unit 14 does not return the start priority to the state before the change when the number of operating air compressors is increased or decreased after the start priority is changed. For example, the air compressor that has just been stopped is started and the aircraft is not stopped, or the air compressor that has been running for a relatively long time is stopped, but the aircraft is started in a short time. This is because there is a possibility that a state may occur.

The reference value is a threshold value for the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of the local pressure values Pa, Pb, and Pc. The reference value may be specified, for example, by the user of the compressed air supply system 1. The user can specify the reference value by operating the input device 17.

If the starting priority is changed repeatedly, it is considered that the operating time of the air compressors 51 to 57 is biased between the supply and demand areas 100A to C. In particular, if the operating time of the air compressor is long in the supply and demand area where the amount of compressed air used at use point 3 is large, there is a concern that the frequency of maintenance will increase as compared with other supply and demand areas. In this case, in order to equalize the operating time of the air compressors 51 to 57, it is preferable to rotate the start priority set in the start priority setting unit 12 without fixing it on the machine.

The rotation of the start priority is, for example, when the number of operating units is reduced, the air compressor having the highest start priority among the running air compressors (the air compressor having a relatively long start duration) is stopped, and at the same time, Set the start priority of the stopped air compressor to the lowest. Then, the start-up priority of the other compressors is raised one by one. On the other hand, when the number of operating units is increased, the air compressor having the highest start priority among the stopped air compressors (air compressor having a relatively long stop duration) is started. By operating in this way, the starting priority is changed in a timely manner according to the operating time of each aircraft, so that the bias in the operating time of the air compressors 51 to 57 will be eliminated eventually.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the compressed air supply system 1 according to the present embodiment. An example of the operation of changing the activation priority will be described with reference to FIGS. 3, 4, and 5. The processing of the central control device 10 and the processing of the local control device 30 are performed at a predetermined sampling cycle.

The start-up priority setting unit 12 sets the start-up priority of each air compressor 50 (51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57) (step S10). In the present embodiment, the activation priority is set as shown in the example shown in FIG.

The pressure value acquisition unit 11 acquires the representative pressure value Pm and the local pressure values Pa, Pb, Pc. The start-up priority changing unit 14 compares the local pressure values Pa, Pb, and Pc detected by the plurality of local pressure sensors 6 and finds the difference between the maximum and minimum local pressure values Pa, Pb, and Pc. It is determined whether or not the reference value is exceeded (step S20).

In step S20, when it is determined that the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of the local pressure values Pa, Pb, Pc is equal to or less than the reference value (step S20: No), the activation priority is not changed. The operating number control unit 13 increases or decreases the number of operating units of the air compressor 50 according to the starting priority set in the starting priority setting unit 12 based on the representative pressure value Pm detected by the representative pressure sensor 60 (step S70). ..

In step S70, when the representative pressure value Pm is lower than the pressure value for increasing the number of units, the operating number control unit 13 sequentially starts the air compressor 50 according to the starting priority. Further, when the representative pressure value Pm exceeds the pressure value for reducing the number of units, the operating number control unit 13 sequentially stops the air compressor 50 according to the starting priority.

For example, when the load in the supply / demand area 100C increases and the representative pressure value Pm decreases while the first air compressor 51, the fourth air compressor 54, and the sixth air compressor 56 are starting, the operating number control unit 13 determines. A command signal is output so that the number of air compressors 50 to be activated increases. That is, when the representative pressure value Pm decreases, in order to increase the representative pressure value Pm, the operating number control unit 13 issues a command signal to increase the number of activated air compressors 50 from three to four. Output. When the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of the local pressure values Pa, Pb, and Pc is equal to or less than the reference value, the operating number control unit 13 determines the second air compressor 52 (stopped) having the fourth starting priority. Start the air compressor (the air compressor with the shortest cumulative operating time) among the air compressors.

Further, when the load in the supply / demand area 100B decreases and the representative pressure value Pm rises while the first air compressor 51, the fourth air compressor 54, and the sixth air compressor 56 are in operation, the operating number control unit 13 determines. A command signal is output so that the number of air compressors 50 to be activated is reduced. That is, when the representative pressure value Pm rises, in order to lower the representative pressure value Pm, the operating number control unit 13 issues a command signal to reduce the number of activated air compressors 50 from three to two. Output. When the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of the local pressure values Pa, Pb, and Pc is equal to or less than the reference value, the operating number control unit 13 determines the first air compressor 51 (during operation) having the first activation priority. The air compressor with the longest cumulative operating time among the air compressors) is stopped.

In step S20, when it is determined that the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of the local pressure values Pa, Pb, Pc is larger than the reference value (step S20: Yes), the start-up priority changing unit 14 determines the local pressure value. It is determined whether or not there is a stopped air compressor 50 in the supply / demand area 100 where the lowest value of is detected (step S30).

In the present embodiment, the supply / demand area 100 in which the lowest local pressure value is detected is the supply / demand area 100C, and the supply / demand area 100 in which the highest local pressure value is detected is the supply / demand area 100B. That is, it is assumed that "local pressure value Pc <local pressure value Pa <local pressure value Pb".

In step S30, when it is determined that there is a stopped air compressor 50 in the supply / supply area 100C where the lowest local pressure value is detected (step S30: Yes), the start priority changing unit 14 moves the supply / supply area 100C. The starting priority is changed so that the stopped air compressor 50 is started at the next increase in the number of units (step S40).

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the start-up priority changing unit 14 changes the start-up order of the stopped 7th air compressor 57 in the supply / demand area 100C from the 6th place to the 4th place. .. Due to the priority interruption, the priorities of the second air compressor 52, which was the fourth place before the start priority change, and the fifth air compressor 55, which was the fifth place, are moved down to the fifth and sixth places, respectively.

As a result, with the first air compressor 51, the fourth air compressor 54, and the sixth air compressor 56 being activated, the seventh air compressor 57 is activated at the next increase in the number of units.

If it is determined in step S30 that there is no stopped air compressor 50 in the supply / supply area 100C where the lowest local pressure value is detected (step S30: No), the start-up priority in the supply / supply area 100C is not changed. ..

The start-up priority changing unit 14 determines whether or not there is a start-up air compressor 50 in the supply / demand area 100 that has detected the highest local pressure value (step S50).

As described above, in the present embodiment, the supply / demand area 100 in which the highest local pressure value is detected is the supply / demand area 100B.

In step S50, when it is determined that the air compressor 50 being started is in the supply / supply area 100B where the highest value of the local pressure value is detected (step S50: Yes), the start priority changing unit 14 moves the supply / supply area 100B. The starting priority is changed so that the starting air compressor 50 is stopped at the next reduction in the number of units (step S60).

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the start-up priority changing unit 14 changes the start-up order of the running fourth air compressor 54 in the supply / demand area 100B from the second place to the first place. .. Due to the priority interruption, the priority of the first air compressor 51, which was the second place before the change of the start priority, is moved down to the second place. The priority of the 6th air compressor 56, which was the 3rd place, is not changed.

As a result, with the first air compressor 51, the fourth air compressor 54, and the sixth air compressor 56 being activated, the fourth air compressor 54 is stopped at the next reduction in the number of units.

In step S50, when it is determined that there is no running air compressor 50 in the supply / supply area 100B where the highest value of the local pressure value is detected (step S50: No), the start priority in the supply / supply area 100B is not changed.

When the start priority of the start priority setting unit 12 is changed by the process of step S40 and / or step S60, the operating number control unit 13 is based on the representative pressure value Pm detected by the representative pressure sensor 60. The number of operating air compressors 50 is increased or decreased according to the changed start priority (step S70).

As described above, when the starting priority of the 7th air compressor 57 is raised from the 6th place to the 4th place and the 7th air compressor 57 is started, the local pressure value Pb indicating the highest local pressure value is obtained. The difference from the local pressure value Pc, which indicates the lowest value, becomes small. Further, even when the start priority of the 4th air compressor 54 is raised from the 2nd place to the 1st place and the 4th air compressor 54 is stopped, the local pressure value Pb indicating the highest value of the local pressure value and the lowest value are obtained. The difference from the local pressure value Pc indicating the value becomes small.

[effect]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the start-up priority changing unit 14 is assigned to the start-up priority setting unit 12 based on the local pressure values Pa, Pb, and Pc detected by the plurality of local pressure sensors 6. The starting priority of each set air compressor 50 is changed. As a result, the insufficient pressure of the compressed air at the use point 3 of the supply / demand area 100 is prevented.

For example, when the load in the supply / demand area 100C increases, the local pressure value Pc in the supply / supply area 100C decreases, and as a result, the representative pressure value Pm also decreases. Even if the second air compressor 52 at the fourth position is started in order to increase the local pressure value Pc, it is highly possible that the pressure of the compressed air in the supply / demand area 100C is not sufficiently increased. That is, when the pressure of the compressed air in the supply / supply area 100C drops, even if the second air compressor 52 provided in the supply / supply area 100A located at a position away from the supply / supply area 100C is activated, the supply / supply area 100A and the supply / supply area It is highly possible that the pressure of the compressed air in the supply and demand area 100C will not be sufficiently increased due to the pressure loss of the pipeline connecting the 100C.

Further, when the load in the supply / demand area 100B decreases, the local pressure value Pb in the supply / supply area 100B rises, and as a result, the representative pressure value Pm also rises. If the third-ranked sixth air compressor 56 is stopped while the local pressure value Pb in the supply / demand area 100B is high and the local pressure value Pc in the supply / supply area 100C is low, the load on the supply / supply area 100C is large, so that the supply / demand supply There is a high possibility that the pressure of the compressed air in the area 100C will be insufficient. That is, if the sixth air compressor 56 provided in the supply / supply area 100C is stopped while the local pressure value Pb in the supply / supply area 100B is the highest and the local pressure value Pc in the supply / supply area 100C is the lowest, the supply / supply area 100C There is a possibility that the pressure of the compressed air will be insufficient.

In the present embodiment, when the difference between the local pressure value Pb, which is the highest value of the local pressure value, and the local pressure value Pc, which is the lowest value, is larger than the reference value, it is provided in the supply / demand area 100C where the pressure of the compressed air drops. The starting priority of the air compressor 50 is changed so that the air compressor 50 is started at the next increase in the number of units. Therefore, the shortage of compressed air in the supply / demand area 100C is prevented.

In the present embodiment, if there is a stopped 7th air compressor 57 in the supply / demand area 100C where the lowest value of the local pressure value is detected, the start priority changing unit 14 will reduce the number of the 7th air compressor 57 next time. Change the startup priority so that it is stopped. As a result, with the first air compressor 51, the fourth air compressor 54, and the sixth air compressor 56 being activated, the seventh air compressor 57 is activated at the next increase in the number of units. When the pressure of the compressed air in the supply and demand area 100C drops, the 7th air in the supply and demand area 100C is activated at the next increase in the number of units, instead of the air compressor 50 in the supply and demand areas 100A and 100B. Since the starting priority of the compressor 57 is raised, even if the pressure of the compressed air in the supply / demand area 100C drops, it can be recovered at an early stage.

Further, in the present embodiment, when the start-up priority changing unit 14 has the fourth air compressor 54 being started in the supply / demand area 100B where the highest value of the local pressure value is detected, the fourth air compressor 54 is reduced next time. Change the startup priority so that it will be stopped at the time of the event. As a result, with the first air compressor 51, the fourth air compressor 54, and the sixth air compressor 56 being activated, the fourth air compressor 54 is stopped at the next reduction in the number of units. When the pressure of the compressed air in the supply / supply area 100B rises, the fourth air not in the supply / supply areas 100A and 100C but in the fourth air compressor 54 in the supply / supply area 100B is stopped at the next reduction in the number of units. Since the starting priority of the compressor 54 is lowered, it is possible to prevent the pressure of the compressed air in the supply / demand area 100C from being insufficient while keeping the representative pressure value Pm within an appropriate range.

In the above-described embodiment, the receiver tank 20 is provided in the feed line 8 of the network line 4. The receiver tank 20 may be provided in the main line 40 of the network line 4. The receiver tank 20 may be provided, for example, at the connection portion 8C between the feed line 8 and the main line 40. Further, the receiver tank 20 may be used as a buffer tank for compressed air for each feed point 2, and may be provided in the use pipeline 9 or the connection portion 9C.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the network pipeline 4 is a loop type pipeline. The network pipeline 4 may be a mesh type pipeline. The mesh type pipeline means a pipeline in which the pipelines are connected in a mesh pattern and have a plurality of intersections. The network pipeline 4 may be a tree-type pipeline. A tree-shaped pipeline is a pipeline having at least one branch and at least two ends. The network pipeline 4 may be a star type pipeline. A star-shaped pipeline means a plurality of pipelines laid radially from a central point. The network pipeline 4 may be composed of a combination of at least two of a loop type, a mesh type, a tree type, and a star type.

1 ... Compressed air supply system, 2 ... Feed point, 3 ... Use point, 4 ... Network pipeline, 5 ... Air compressor group, 6 ... Local pressure sensor, 7 ... Communication system, 8 ... Feed pipeline, 8C ... Connection , 9 ... Youth pipeline, 9C ... Connection unit, 10 ... Centralized control device, 11 ... Pressure value acquisition unit, 12 ... Start priority setting unit, 13 ... Operating number control unit, 14 ... Start priority change unit, 15 ... Storage unit, 16 ... Input / output unit, 17 ... Input device, 20 ... Receiver tank, 21 ... On-off valve, 30 ... Local control device, 32 ... Command signal acquisition unit, 33 ... Local control unit, 34 ... Storage unit, 35 ... Input / output unit, 40 ... main pipeline, 50 ... air compressor, 51 ... first air compressor, 52 ... second air compressor, 53 ... third air compressor, 54 ... fourth air compressor, 55 ... fifth air compressor, 56 ... 6th air compressor, 57 ... 7th air compressor, 60 ... representative pressure sensor, 61 ... receiver tank pressure sensor, 62 ... feed pipeline pressure sensor, 63 ... network pipeline pressure sensor, 64 ... youth pipeline pressure sensor, 65 ... Use point Pressure sensor, 71 ... Wireless communication device, 72 ... Wireless communication device, 73 ... Wireless communication device, 74 ... Wireless communication device, 100 (100A, 100B, 100C) ... Supply and demand area.

Claims (5)

A network pipeline that is laid so as to cover a plurality of supply and demand areas including each of the compressed air feed point and the compressed air use point, and connects the feed point and the use point.
A plurality of air compressor groups that are distributed and installed in each of the plurality of supply and demand areas and generate the compressed air at the feed point,
A representative pressure sensor that detects the representative pressure value of the compressed air flowing through the network pipeline at a detection position set in the network pipeline , and a representative pressure sensor.
A local pressure sensor that detects the local pressure value of the compressed air in each of the plurality of supply and demand areas, and
It is equipped with a centralized control device that collectively remotely controls the operation of a plurality of the air compressor groups.
The centralized control device has a start-up priority setting unit, an operating number control unit, and a start-up priority change unit.
The start-up priority setting unit sets the start-up priority of each air compressor for the air compressors dispersed in the plurality of supply and demand areas.
The operating number control unit increases or decreases the operating number of the air compressor according to the starting priority set in the starting priority setting unit based on the representative pressure value detected by the representative pressure sensor.
The start-up priority changing unit changes the start-up priority of each air compressor set in the start-up priority setting unit based on the local pressure values detected by the plurality of local pressure sensors.
Compressed air supply system. The start priority changing unit compares the local pressure values detected by the plurality of local pressure sensors, and when the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of the local pressure values exceeds the reference value, the air compressor Change the startup priority of
The compressed air supply system according to claim 1. When the air compressor is stopped in the supply / demand area where the lowest value of the local pressure value is detected, the start priority changing unit changes the start priority so that the air compressor is started at the next increase in the number of units. To do,
The compressed air supply system according to claim 2. When the air compressor being started is in the supply / demand area where the maximum value of the local pressure value is detected, the start priority changing unit changes the start priority so that the air compressor is stopped at the next reduction of the number of units. To do,
The compressed air supply system according to claim 2 or 3. When the representative pressure value is lower than the pressure value for increasing the number of units, the operating unit control unit sequentially starts the air compressor according to the starting priority, and when the representative pressure value exceeds the pressure value for decreasing the number of units, the air compressor is described according to the starting priority. Stop the air compressor in sequence,
The compressed air supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

Images