Which is better to use for the inlet control mechanism of an air compressor: guide vanes, butterfly valves, or globe valves?
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Air compressor inlet flow control mechanism: Which is better, guide vanes, butterfly valves, or globe valves? What are the advantages? I’d like to ask all the sea friends!
This needs to be chosen based on the type of compressor. Vane adjustment is suitable for centrifugal compressors. Positive-displacement compressors are not suitable for load regulation at the inlet, nor are they appropriate for use with guide vane control valves. Commonly used butterfly valves, globe valves.
It mainly depends on the type of unit in question. For centrifuges, the inlet guide vanes are relatively linear, resulting in less impact on the unit’s inlet and offering high adjustability; for screw units, butterfly valves are sufficient, as there isn’t such a high requirement regarding the inlet opening degree
Generally, guide vanes are used to pre-rotate the airflow and improve compression efficiency. Butterfly valves are also used; I’ve only seen Ingersoll Rand use them. As for globe valves, I don’t think any company uses them these days ~~
Yes, when purchasing, Ingersoll Rand specifies butterfly valves as standard. Personally, I feel that the adjustment range of butterfly valves is too large, making it impossible to achieve linear adjustment
It’s okay~~ Adjusting by means of backflow or venting helps a bit~~ Ingersoll Rand is the exception in this regard~~