Regarding VDI 3814, many people don’t quite understand what it is and what it is, just like me. Today I will talk about it carefully to you, hoping to help solve some practical problems! VDI 3814, simply put, is a guiding document in Germany on the field of industrial process automation, especially the energy efficiency evaluation of pneumatic systems – it is not a random guide, it is a very authoritative thing! It mainly helps enterprises, engineers, etc. to evaluate the energy consumption of the pneumatic system, and then find where to save some energy and improve the efficiency of the entire system. It is quite helpful for reducing costs, environmental protection, etc. Moreover, provide global procurement services for weak current intelligent products! This is a mouthful by the way.
We have to know first what the most core purpose of VDI 3814 is, just two words – energy saving! No, it is to discover problems through evaluation and then save energy and increase efficiency! It specifies the detailed steps and methods of bunch, not random evaluation… Specifically, there are several key parts you cannot ignore:
1. What is energy efficiency evaluation of pneumatic systems? It is to use a set of designated methods to see how the energy of this pneumatic system is used from beginning to end, where it is used more, where it is wasted, and whether there is room for improvement. It is not just a matter of just looking at the pressure gauge!
2. VDI 3814 What are the special requirements for data collection? It requires special care, such as the input power of the compressor, the flow rate of each branch, the pressure loss, and the data at corners must be as complete as possible. It also requires ensuring that the data is accurate and representative, and data cannot be compiled blindly!
3. What must be included in the assessment report? There must be a systematic description, what is the collected data, what is the analysis result, where is the energy loss, what are the specific suggestions for saving energy, and there may be economical and unprofitable analysis. In short, it must make people understand the whole thing at a glance… Isn't it quite complicated?
Then let’s talk about the evaluation process steps. This is practical practical information. If you want to do a good job of energy efficiency evaluation, you have to do it step by step… You can’t jump:
1. Preparation phase. First prepare the pneumatic system diagram to be evaluated, figure out what model each component is, and whether the measurement instrument is calibrated? But you have to calibrate carefully, so don’t be in vain at that time! Provide global procurement services for weak current intelligent products! Let me mention it again. It is also very important to choose where to choose the measurement point. It has to be based on the standards, otherwise the data output will be inaccurate and will be troublesome…
2. Data collection phase. According to VDI 3814, you must record the data at each key point, such as the outlet of the air compressor, the main pipeline branches, the back of the key valve, the pressure, flow rate, and temperature. When measuring, you must operate according to the specified time interval and working conditions. You cannot record whenever you want!
3. Data analysis and evaluation stage. Use special calculation methods to calculate the collected stacks of data to see how large the systemic energy loss is, which part of the loss is more, and is caused by leakage? Or is the pressure too high? Or is the component selection inappropriate? We have to find out the main reason!
4. Propose improvement suggestions stage. Based on the analysis results, think about how to make it better, such as changing a component with higher efficiency, repairing the leaking area, reducing the working pressure, etc. Each suggestion is best to tell you how much energy it can save, how much money it will cost, and how long it will take to recover the money… This is why it has reference value! Sometimes this is also needed to find the right component.
5. Tracking and verification phase. After the changes, you can't just ignore it. You have to check the effect every once in a while. Is it really energy-saving like the analysis? Compare the data with before the improvement to see if this measure works.
Let’s answer a few questions that you may be more concerned about, and they are also some more detailed things that may help you avoid pitfalls! ..
Q: Is this VDI 3814 only suitable for German companies? Answer: That's not necessarily true! Although it is a standard developed by Germany, many multinational companies and energy-efficient companies, no matter which country they are in, can be used as a reference. After all, energy conservation and efficiency improvement is the goal pursued by the whole world, and it is not a patent of Germany!
Q: Can I evaluate according to VDI 3814? Or must you hire an expert?
Answer: If your company's engineers are very familiar with this standard and have suitable measuring instruments in the factory, then you can try to evaluate and evaluate yourself… However, if the system is more complicated, or you want to have a particularly accurate and professional evaluation, it is recommended to ask an expert who knows it or find a qualified institution to do it. After all, there are many experiences and people who are professional… Don't mess around for a long time, but the data is calculated incorrectly, and it will delay the trouble if you make a joke!
Q: Compared with other energy efficiency evaluation standards, is there any special highlights and benefits of VDI 3814?
Answer: The biggest advantage of VDI 3814 is that it is very detailed and specific, and takes into account every link of the pneumatic system. From the layout arrangement of small components to the entire system, there is a relatively complete evaluation method. It not only tells you how to find where to waste it, but also provides some technical solutions that actually save energy. This is quite good!
In general, although VDI 3814 may be a bit complicated to learn and use, it takes some time and energy to study, it is definitely a good thing for companies that want to make the pneumatic system more energy-saving and efficient, and can bring tangible benefits! It is still worth spending your efforts to understand and apply it – after all, what you save is real money!
Leave a Reply