Application of Rotary Screw Compressor for Energy Storage System

This report investigates the application of rotary screw compressors in compressed air energy storage systems. It begins by highlighting the growing need for alternative energy sources and the role of energy storage devices like compressed air energy storage systems (CAES). The study focuses on the use of an oil-free rotary screw compressor for air compression, detailing its ability to achieve high air pressure and volume output, which is then channeled into a CAES. The report discusses the heat generated during compression and its potential for storage and use during expansion. The author's knowledge and motivation for the project are explained, emphasizing the potential to address energy demand fluctuations and the availability of relevant data. The report concludes with a discussion of future research potential, particularly the modification of rotary compressors to optimize CAES efficiency and flexibility, along with an annotated bibliography of relevant sources.

Running Head: ROTARY SCREW COMPRESSOR
Rotary-screw Compressor
Name
Institutional affiliation

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Rotary Screw Compressor
A tentative project title: A study of the application of rotary air compressor for compressed
air for the Compressed air energy storage system.
Currently, many industries and homes are resolving to use the alternative sources of
energy which are renewable and environmentally friendly. People and industries are currently
storing energy such that in case there is the need for an alternative energy to boost the supply
of the grid, they these energy storage devices are used. Some of the energy storage devices
that are currently being used include flywheel energy storage system, pumped-hydro, battery
energy storage, and compressed air energy storage systems (Chandra, 2012).
The rotary screw compressor that is oil-free can be used for the purposes of air
compression through the screw action to attain an air pressure of 150 psi (10 atm) and output
volume of 57m3/min (2000 cubic feet per minute). This compressed air can then be
channelled to the compressed air energy storage system. The figure below shows the features
of a rotary screw compressor that can be used for the purposes of air compression before
channelling the compressed air to the energy storage system:
Figure 1: Rotary air compressor (Giampaolo, 2010)
Compression of air generates heat, the air is warmer after the process of compression.
During the process of expansion, heat is removed from the system. In case no heat is added,

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then the air will be much colder after expansion. This heat produced during the compression
of air by rotary air compressor can be stored and used during expansion (Hollaway, 2012).
The figure below shows how the compressed air from the rotary air compressor will be
channelled to the compressed air energy storage system:
Figure 2: Compressed air is channelled to the energy storage system (Jamal, 2017)
Is the project scientifically worth doing?
This project is critical since it will be meeting the demand of the current fluctuations
in the energy demand in for both companies and homes whose energy requirements vary
depending on the time and season. During off-peak, the energy will be stored in form of
compressed air in the compressed air energy storage system, during peak loads when the
demands are higher, the energy from the storage system will then be released to the grid
(Jamal, 2017).
This two systems of air compression and energy storage can function concurrently
while the energy being supplied to the grid such that their energy will always be channelled
to the system. The extra energy from the energy storage system can be channelled to the grid
to be used in other places where at that time there is higher demand, this will avoid wastage
of energy and compressed air. Many factories are currently implementing energy storage
systems, however, the compressed air energy storage system is not very much considered

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since the challenge of acquiring compressed air. The rotary air compressor will be the major
source of compressed air which will be used for the purposes of air compression (Mike,
2013).
How is your knowledge and skills base matched with the project?
I have lived in areas where electricity shortage has always been a problem. There will
always be a voltage drop during the evening hours and morning hours where the consumption
of electricity is at the peak. Many people in the region will always opt to store energy using
energy storage systems such as batteries and then use the stored energy when the demand is
higher than the supply. This habit of storing energy has actually encouraged me to investigate
on other energy storage systems since the amount of energy stored using batteries is low and
can get depleted after a short duration (Nwauha, 2013).
This project will also be more effective to me since the acquisition of required data
cannot be a problem. Many companies around the region are using compressed air energy
storage system and can be more than willing to provide all the information required to put
this system into practice. The government, under the department of energy, can also be
willing to provide data that is critical to implement this project since this energy storage
system will help in meeting the demand for energy during the peak periods. The current
efficient techniques for air compression by the use of rotary air compressor can easily be
acquired by researching in numerous sources that are readily available (Yahya, 2011).
Are you motivated by the idea?
The research of alternative energy storage system other than the locally available
battery is very appealing to me. This is an area I have been implementing for a long period by
the use of batteries as an energy storage system. The use of compressed air energy storage
system is more appealing and motivating. The project gives me an opportunity to engage me

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in finding solutions to problems that probably have numerous solutions and may vary
depending on the pressure of compressed air generated by the rotary air compressors and also
the different energy that is intended to be released by the compressed air energy storage
system (Perez, 2016).
The idea of researching of the information concerning the practical work is more fascinating
to me than a theory based projects since I get to acquire the actual skills of implementing a
real project and making it function as required (Nwauha, 2013).
What is the potential for future further research wok?
Numerous companies have considered the implementation of the compressed air energy
storage system, but the problem that always arises is the source of compressed air to be used,
however, with the idea of using the rotary compressor as the source of compressed air, many
companies will opt to this energy storage system. This will really make the rotary motor to be
modified to suit this purpose in the near future. Other methods of generation of compressed
air are not as efficient as the rotary air compressor aiming it more suitable for this purpose
(Nwauha, 2013).
Depending on the amount of air pressure required, the screw rotary compressor can be
modified to generate any amount of air pressure. The higher the air pressure the higher the
amount of energy that will be released by the energy storage system making the system to be
more flexible for any future adjustments (Stosic, 2010).

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Annotated Bibliography
Chandra, R. (2012). Refrigeration and Air Conditioning. Michigan: Wiley 147-154.
This article reviews the different applications of rotary compressor with major
consideration being taken on its use on refrigeration and air conditioning. This article is
critical when addressing the operation principles of the rotary compressor and various types
of compressors.
Giampaolo, T. (2010). Compresor Handbook: Principles and Practice. Colorado: Springer, 89-158.
This article reviews the principles of operation of the compressors and also evaluates
various types of compressors that are currently being applied in numerous operations. It also
examines the applications of the compressors.
Hollaway, M. (2012). Process Plant Equipment: Operations, Control and Reliability. New York:
Informa, 178-192.
This article looks into the various equipment used in factories and industries that use
rotary compressors for their operations. The article addresses the control and reliability of the
rotary compressors used in these equipment.
Jamal, K. (2017). Vehicles and Automotive Engineering. Perth: Simon & Schuster, 287-311.
This article reviews the application of the rotary compressors in vehicles and
automation by looking into the application and working principles of the compressors in
automation.
Mike, L. (2013). 8th International Conference on Compressors and their System. London: Grupo
Planeta, 114-124.
This article looks at the various systems that uses the various types of compressors
and evaluates their working principles in numerous applications.
Nwauha, C. (2013). Compressor, Rotary, Air, Wheel Mounted. Melbourne: Scholastic, 315-358.

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This article is a broad document that discusses the numerous compressors such as
rotary, air, and wheel mounted compressors that are applied in many systems. The major
consideration for the case of this research is on the rotary mounted compressors.
Perez, R. (2016). Troubleshooting Rotating Machinery. Moscow: Adventure Works Press, 154-174.
This article is a case study into the ways of troubleshooting the rotary machines which
use the rotary compressors to facilitate their rotation.
Spellman, F. (2013). Handbook of Water And Wastewater Treatment Plant Operations. Toledo:
Scholastic, 217-243.
This article reviews the operations of water and wastewater treatment where the rotary
compressors are applied due to their rotational ability.
Stosic, N. (2010). Screw Compressor. Paris: Reed Elsevier, 347-375.
This article is a case study into the screw type of compressor. This article discusses
the various sections of the compressor as well as its operation and application.
Yahya, S. (2011). Turbines Compressor and Fans. California: Pearson, 198-212.
This article reviews the fans and turbine compressors that use the rotatory
compressors to facilitate their working. The types and working principles of the compressors
differ depending on the system they are applied.