TY - THES

T1 - Factors and market trends impacting the efficiency of compressor systems

AU - Brezina, Benedikt

N1 - embargoed until 30-03-2022

PY - 2017

Y1 - 2017

N2 - As more and more companies are driving towards a more efficient use of energy and resources one big factor is the use of electricity. Compressors are the hidden work horses of modern civilizations and are found in almost all facets of life. Be it from pumping gases, heating, and refrigeration to various manufacturing purposes compressors can be found almost anywhere. In general compressor technology is not very efficient in terms of energy use. This inefficiency potentially bears a huge amount of energy saving that can be achieved. This thesis shows the working principles of the most commonly used compressor types in the compressed air and refrigeration industries and shows the possible design factors that contribute to energy savings in terms of mechanical design, lubrication improvement and operational aspects. Typical marketing research instruments are reviewed and evaluated for their applicability in a compressor market study. Based on this set of tools a market study in the relevant niche markets is performed to gain a current state of the compressor industry. Based on the obtained information both in qualitative and quantitative terms live cycle cost models for different compressor systems are created. These models are integrated into a marketing software tool that allows customers and the sales personnel of the company to determine possible cost saving opportunities for a specified system. Finally a comprehensive overview of future technology and market trends in the compressor and refrigeration industry is given with the most promising growth areas from the perspective of a lubricant manufacturing company.

AB - As more and more companies are driving towards a more efficient use of energy and resources one big factor is the use of electricity. Compressors are the hidden work horses of modern civilizations and are found in almost all facets of life. Be it from pumping gases, heating, and refrigeration to various manufacturing purposes compressors can be found almost anywhere. In general compressor technology is not very efficient in terms of energy use. This inefficiency potentially bears a huge amount of energy saving that can be achieved. This thesis shows the working principles of the most commonly used compressor types in the compressed air and refrigeration industries and shows the possible design factors that contribute to energy savings in terms of mechanical design, lubrication improvement and operational aspects. Typical marketing research instruments are reviewed and evaluated for their applicability in a compressor market study. Based on this set of tools a market study in the relevant niche markets is performed to gain a current state of the compressor industry. Based on the obtained information both in qualitative and quantitative terms live cycle cost models for different compressor systems are created. These models are integrated into a marketing software tool that allows customers and the sales personnel of the company to determine possible cost saving opportunities for a specified system. Finally a comprehensive overview of future technology and market trends in the compressor and refrigeration industry is given with the most promising growth areas from the perspective of a lubricant manufacturing company.

KW - energy efficiency

KW - compressor systems

KW - life cycle costing

KW - marketing research

KW - Energieeffizient

KW - Kompressorsysteme

KW - Lebenszyklusanalyse

KW - Marktforschung

M3 - Master's Thesis

ER -