Abstract
In previous research we proposed to quantify available energy of compressed air by exergy. In this paper we discuss the distribution of available energy supplied to a pneumatic cylinder in cyclic actuation. First, we examined energy distribution for ideal actuation of cylinder driven by a meter-out and meter-in circuit It is clarified that over half of supplied available energy is used for mechanical work to load and for velocity control of the piston, and remaining energy is exhausted without being used. For actual actuation the method for calculating distribution of available energy is established and this distribution is clarified by simulation of cylinder responses. It is found that the available energy for piston acceleration, work against internal friction and loss in heat transfer are relatively small. As a result, the paper concludes that utilization of exergy is feasible and recommendable for analyzing distribution of available energy of compressed air in pneumatic equipment.
