MODELING, SIMULATION AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY DETERMINATION OF A PNEUMATIC PRESSURE AMPLIFIER

In order to increase energy efficiency of a pneumatic system the compressed air discharged from pneumatic actuator is being collected. In those conditions, the air contains a certain amount of energy and can be used at the points that require a lower level of pressure for their operations. If the collected air can not be directly returned and used in a pneumatic system, then the air pressure is increased by using pressure intensifier which is known in the commercial use as pneumatic booster. For that operation, the booster uses and consumes a part of the collected air. In this paper we analyze the dynamic behavior of a pressure booster and calculate its energy efficiency by using mathematical modeling and simulation in Simulink. The model of one pneumatic booster and its energy efficiency is verified by conducted experimental testing