IoT Air Leak Visualization and Monitoring Solution

A solution for visualizing compressed air leaks, compressor performance, and CO2 emissions

"Moving toward a carbon-neutral future.” Achieving carbon neutrality involves reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting sustainable practices across various sectors, including industrial sector. Efforts towards carbon neutrality not only safeguard the environment but also enhance energy efficiency, reduce costs, and bolster social credibility and implementing the Corporate Sustainable Responsibility (CSR).

It helps to satisfy the Goverment requirements to reduce CO2 emission. 

Low-carbon measures in Vietnam

Vietnam has been increasingly relying on liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports to meet its energy needs. As of recent data, LNG imports are expected to make up about 14.9% of Vietnam’s primary energy mix by 2030. This shift is part of Vietnam’s strategy to reduce its dependence on coal and move towards cleaner energy sources. As of 2023, Vietnam's electricity consumption is heavily reliant on fossil fuels, with almost 60% of its electricity coming from these sources.

Due to the Russia-Ukraine situation, fuel price has increased.  Power in Vietnam is highly dependent on fossil fuels, with research (*1) showing Vietnam's CO2 emission as 3.7 times the average.

The Vietnam government has declared to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and reduce its costs for importing fuel. The country must gradually reduce its dependence on imported natural gas and make a change to low-carbon energy technologies.

*1 THE WORLD BANK | CO2 intensity (kg per kg of oil equivalent energy use) - Vietnam
CO2 emissions (metric tons per capita) - Viet Nam | Data (worldbank.org)

Can you visualize and manage air leak at your production sites ?

In the drive for carbon neutrality, reducing energy consumption at production sites is crucial. A significant, often overlooked, energy user is air compressors.

Energy waste can occur if compressors are left at factory settings or if there are air leaks in the pipes.

These issues are hard to detect visually, necessitating a solution that monitors compressor and pipe usage to identify and reduce energy waste.

3 issues which need visualizing, reporting and alarm air leakages

Issue 1

Detecting air leak in pipes 

Issue 2

Understanding compressor performance and optimizing source pressure

Issue 3

Improving and streamlining equipment and machine maintenance

Issue1

Detecting air leaks in pipes

It can be challenging using only sight and sound, making it difficult to fully assess the condition of a factory’s air compressor pipes. In Thailand, there have been instances where 40 to 60% of the air in a pipe is lost due to leaks.

Issue2

Understanding compressor performance and optimizing source pressure

Understanding compressor performance and optimizing source pressure Compressors typically consume about 18 to 25% of a factory’s total power usage. Reducing the compressor source pressure by 0.1 MPa can result in approximately 8.4% power savings.

Recommended solution

Identify air leaks across the entire factory or within specific production lines. Let us assist you in taking your first step towards a carbon-neutral future through visualizing and monitoring air leak

Air Leak Visualization and Monitoring Solution

  • By installing flow meters and electricity meters, you can detect air leaks throughout the entire factory or within specific production lines.
  • For this solution, we provide a PoC & ROI calculation type for detecting air leakages and compressor status for the entire factory, and a type for detecting air leaks from individual production lines.
  • Install flow meters and power meters to visualize compressor usage data.

Issue 3

Improving and Streamlining equipment & machine maintenance

While it’s impossible to eliminate air leakage entirely, continuous maintenance of piping with specific target values is essential to minimize it. Even with regular compressor maintenance, the overall situation, including operating rates, is often unclear. Visualization is crucial to accurately determine the capacity and replacement timing of aging compressors.

For instance, without a clear understanding of compressor condition and deterioration, issues may go unnoticed, resulting in unexpected failures and costly repairs.

Recommended solution

In addition to measures to prevent air leaks for cutting energy waste, become able to see the status of your compressors and estimate your CO2 emissions.

Air Leak Visualization and Monitoring Solution

  • By installing a flow meter and electricity meter for each compressor, air leaks throughout the factory become visible. From then, compressor operation rates and CO2 emissions can be determined.
  • See numeric values for power consumption per m3, m3 per kW, and kW x CO2 emission factors (approximate values).
  • POC phase is recommended to see the benefit and capability of solution.

KDDI's Air Leak Visualization and Monitoring Solution overview

We develop visualization systems available both On Cloud or On Premise, enabling you to monitor compressor status online.

Free PDF download about Paperless Digital Forms and Reports i-Reporter solution to help to quickly create forms, reports with approval flow and other additional function like QR code reader, snap picture and more.

What is the best solution for your problem?
Please consult a KDDI consultant.