Experimental Validation of Pressure Losses in Centralized Compressed Air Systems: A Symmetry-Based Perspective on Industrial Optimization

The modernization of compressed air systems represents both a strategic challenge and an opportunity to achieve a balanced symmetry, understood as the equilibrium among energy efficiency, industrial optimization, and operational sustainability. This study combines the experimental validation of a centralized compressed air system operating under real industrial conditions with a bibliometric analysis that contextualizes the work within global research trends in energy efficiency and industrial optimization. The system, implemented at the Oleohidráulica Company in Cienfuegos, Cuba, consists of two BOGE C 22-2 screw compressors and a newly upgraded distribution network. The analysis involved calculating pressure drops using the methodology proposed by Atlas Copco and verifying the results in situ through measurements at the most distant point of the network. The obtained pressure drop of 0.059 bar, below the international threshold of 0.1 bar, confirms the adequacy and reliability of the design. Moreover, the discussion highlights future perspectives for improvement, where integrating a hybrid approach that combines computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations with experimental validation could enhance the accuracy of flow and pressure predictions and facilitate the optimization of the pipeline network design. Overall, the study demonstrates that while the current system complies with international standards, achieving symmetry as an operational balance among efficiency, reliability, and sustainability remains an ongoing process, guiding future optimization efforts.