A pre-study on the compressed air system at Ljunghaell AB

Abstract: The Swedish industry uses large volumes of compressed air. The compressed air process isenergy intensive and creates large amounts of excess heat. It is therefore important to utilizethe excess heat, optimize the operation of the compressors and to have a regular maintenanceon the system. This thesis is a pre-study to make a compressed air system energy efficient andis done in collaboration with Ljunghäll AB. Ljunghäll AB is one of Northern Europe's leadingdie casting companies and are located in Södra Vi, Sweden. The purpose is to describe andmap the compressed air system in the old part of the facility in Södra Vi. The thesis will alsogive an explanation of how Ljunghäll AB can improve the compressed air system. Providethem suggestions for energy savings and lower the environmental impact of production. Theobjective of the thesis is to create an understanding of how improvements in the compressedair system can be done by studying the operation, compressor, pipe system and leak detecting.The economic aspects of the solutions together with the effect of noise and engine operationof the compressors have not been taken into consideration. To reach improvement measures avisit to the facility in Södra Vi was made, where measuring and mapping was executed andthen compared with earlier studies and literature. The conclusions of the thesis show thatLjunghäll AB has a good operation and control of the compressors, through the variable speeddrive and steering system. It also showed that the choice of the existing compressors are goodfor their compressed air usage. The study also resulted in the following suggestions for theenergy efficiency and lowering of the environmental impact of production at Ljunghäll AB’scompressed air system: Water heat recovery, replacement of old pipes, cover the leakage,regular maintenance of compressors and fittings, training in compressed air for workers,centralized compressor central and sectioning of the pipe system.