Optimization of an experimental hydraulic system with two flow control variables

Abstract

Efficiency optimization is essential in many areas of engineering and system design. This work examines the efficiency of an experimental hydraulic system from different aspects: mechanical efficiency, pumps efficiency and flow stability. In this work, the flow control system depends on two independent variables with additional four degrees of freedom in terms of working pumping stations and flow path. An optimization algorithm was developed in order to identify the optimal duty point in terms of the efficiencies and stability within all possible system configurations. The results of the model are presented on several plots covering a 3D overview plot showing the system capabilities and additional 2D plots addressing each efficiency and stability optimization results and also demonstrating the system behaviour under different working conditions. The results of this work enables the user to easily choose the amount of working pumps and the duty point in order to achieve the desired flow rate. Moreover, it enables working in the desired optimal efficiency (or stability) in the proposed complicated two variable control system.