Patent Publication Number: US-2015086326-A1

Title: Method for optimizing performance of a compressor using inlet guide vanes and drive speed and implementation thereof

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/004,236, filed on May 29, 2014, and entitled “DEVICES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING COMPRESSOR.” This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/601,862, filed on Aug. 31, 2012, and entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPERATING A COMPRESSOR DEVICE.” 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The subject matter disclosed herein relates to compressors and related machinery, with particular discussion about a method for optimizing performance of a compressor that has a variable speed drive and one or more variable inlet guide vanes. 
     Factory owners and operators strive to reduce operating costs. These efforts benefit from improvements in operating efficiencies, namely, to reduce power consumption of any equipment that are deployed within the factory and/or industrial setting. This equipment often includes compressors. As used herein, the term “compressor” describes machinery that acts on a working fluid, for example, to pressurize the working fluid to distribute on a process line. This machinery can include, for example, compressors (e.g., centrifugal compressors) and blowers, with artisans understanding that the difference between the two resides in the operating pressures of the fluid at the discharge. Examples of process lines may be found in various applications including chemical, water-treatment, petro-chemical, resource recovery and delivery, refinery, and like sectors and industries. 
     Compressors typically include a drive unit that is configured to rotate an impeller. Centrifugal compressors, for example, are a type of compressor that includes an impeller with vanes having an increasing radius. During operation, the impeller draws fluid into the compressor. Examples of the drive unit include steam turbines, gas turbines, and electric motors. Compressors may also include vanes (also “inlet guide vanes”) that are configured to move (e.g., rotate) to increase or decrease the effective size, or flow area, of the inlet to the compressor. The effective size of the effective flow area, in turn, regulates the flow rate of the working fluid. 
     Among the difficulties to optimize operation and minimize power consumption of compressors is that gains in operating efficiency typically depend on both the setpoints (e.g., flow rate, pressure, etc.) required by the process and the operating settings (e.g., max/min speed for the drive unit, max/min position of guide vane position, etc.) for the compressor. For example, certain combinations of position of the inlet guide vanes and speed of the drive unit may result in flow that meets desired setpoints and consumes less power. These same combinations, however, might damage the compressor because the position of the inlet guide vanes and/or the speed of the drive unit may reside at or near or outside certain safe and acceptable levels for these operating settings. 
     Conventional control systems can leverage the variability in the position of the inlet guide vanes and the speed of the drive unit to improve performance, efficiency, and reduce cost of operation by reducing power consumption. Unfortunately, the process to optimize performance of compressors with variable components often requires extensive testing and qualification. This process can be labor and time intensive and, moreover, must often be performed on the compressor at the time of installation. As a result, it is conventional practice to manually optimize efficiency by adjusting inlet guide vanes only while holding speed constant. Such practice, however, likely does not consider the myriad combinations of speed and inlet guide vane orientation that can influence the level of efficiency attached by the compressor. Thus, while efficiency improvement can be seen by adjusting inlet guide vanes only for a given speed, the conventional practice of adjusting only a single parameter may not reach the true and optimal efficiency because only the angle of the inlet guide vane angle with respect to the flow of the working fluid is used to modify operation of the compressor. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     This disclosure describes improvements that reduce the time and effort necessary to qualify compressors with variable inlet guide vanes and variable speed drives for use in the field. The embodiments herein can automatically arrive at operating settings that achieve lower (and/or minimize) the amount of power required to operate the compressor at the setpoints desired. As noted more below, these embodiments can compare measured values for operating flow rate and operating pressure for a combination of operating settings against threshold values for each of these measured values. The embodiments leverage this comparison to identify “how” the compressor is operating, equating the operation of the compressor to one of a plurality of operation scenarios. In turn, the embodiments provide an adjustment to one or both of the speed and the position that corresponds with such operating scenario. The embodiments can also vet the selected adjustment to avoid operation of the compressor outside of its safe operating configurations, as defined for example by minimum and maximum values for the position of the inlet guide vane and the speed of the drive unit. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Reference is now made briefly to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  depicts a flow diagram for an exemplary embodiment of a method for optimizing performance of a compressor; 
         FIG. 2  depicts a flow diagram of an exemplary embodiment of the method of  FIG. 1  that includes steps for modifying operation of the compressor under a first operating scenario; 
         FIG. 3  depicts a flow diagram of an exemplary embodiment of the method of  FIG. 1  that includes steps for modifying operation of the compressor under a second operating scenario; 
         FIG. 4  depicts a flow diagram of an exemplary embodiment of the method of  FIG. 1  that includes steps for modifying operation of the compressor under a third operating scenario; 
         FIG. 5  depicts a flow diagram of an exemplary embodiment of the method of  FIG. 1  that includes steps for modifying operation of the compressor under a fourth operating scenario; 
         FIG. 6  depicts a flow diagram of an exemplary embodiment of the method of  FIG. 1  with exemplary steps to iterate among the plurality of operating scenarios. 
         FIG. 7  depicts a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a compressor that are configured for to vary in response to performance of the compressor; 
         FIG. 8  depicts a front view of the compressor of  FIG. 7  with a first configuration of an inlet guide vane assembly; 
         FIG. 9  depicts a front view of the compressor of  FIG. 7  with a second configuration of an inlet guide vane assembly; and 
         FIG. 10  depicts a schematic diagram of a compressor as part of a control system that can operate the compressor in response to feedback about the flow parameters. 
     
    
    
     Where applicable like reference characters designate identical or corresponding components and units throughout the several views, which are not to scale unless otherwise indicated. Moreover, the embodiments disclosed herein may include elements that appear in one or more of the several views or in combinations of the several views. 
     DETAILED DISCUSSION 
       FIG. 1  depicts a flow diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a method  100  that can help reduce power consumption on a compressor. The method  100  includes, at step  102 , performing one or more iterations of an optimization process, each iteration defining a combination of operating settings for the compressor, the combination defining a value for a speed for the drive unit and a position for the inlet guide vane. The method  100  also includes, at step  104 , executing the optimization process, which includes at step  106 , selecting among a plurality of operating scenarios for the compressor, each of the plurality of operating scenarios corresponding with a different relative position between a threshold value and a measured value for an operating flow rate and an operating pressure, the operating flow rate and the operating pressure relating to fluid discharging from the compressor at the value for the speed for the drive unit and the position for the inlet guide vane. The optimization process can also include, at step  108 , modifying the value of the speed of the drive unit and the position of the inlet guide vane in accordance with the selected operating scenario and, at step  110 , configuring the compressor to operate at the value of the speed of the drive unit and the position of the inlet guide vane. The method  100  can further include, at step  112 , completing the one or more iterations of the optimization process in response to the compressor operating at a minimum power consumption value with the measured value for the operating flow rate and the operating pressure at a setpoint threshold for the compressor. In one embodiment, the plurality of operating scenarios maintain the value for the speed of the drive unit and the position of the inlet guide vane at or above a minimum value and at or below a maximum value for the speed of the drive unit and the position of the inlet guide vanes. 
     The steps of the embodiments of the method  100  can be implemented as one or more executable instructions (e.g., software, firmware, etc.). Such instructions can be deployed on the compressor and/or as part of a control device and/or system. This disclosure provides details of an exemplary structure for a compressor and a control system further below. 
     In  FIG. 1 , at step  102 , the method  100  implements a control scheme to efficiently iterate through a multitude of operating settings on the compressor. These iterations are useful to arrive at operating settings that configure the compressor to use less power to discharge a flow of working fluid at a setpoint that defines, for example, a flow rate and a pressure desired for the compressor to discharge, e.g., into the process line. The control scheme, in turn, defines specific changes, or adjustments, to the operating settings of the compressor in response to a detected change in flow rate and/or pressure of the discharge flow (collectively, “flow parameters”). For example, the detected change may reflect a change in the flow parameters from a first measured value to a second measured value, wherein each of the first measured value and the second measured value relate to a different set of operating settings, respectively. 
     The operating settings may correspond to certain components that are configured to modulate flow into and out-of the compressor. In context of the present disclosure, examples of these components on the compressor include the inlet guide vanes (often found as part of an inlet guide vane assembly) and the drive unit (e.g., a motor) that rotates an impeller. This disclosure contemplates, however, that aspects of the embodiments herein may apply to other components (e.g., diffuser vanes) and, more broadly, that other types of machinery may benefit from the improvements in efficiency that are considered herein. 
     At step  104 , the method  100  defines the optimization process that is useful to configure the compressor to consume less power. Examples of the optimization process can include steps for examining the effect that combinations of the speed of the drive unit and the position of the inlet guide vane have on the operation of the compressor. During operation, these combinations may reduce power consumption, but at a cost to performance, e.g., a reduction in operating flow rate and/or drop in operating pressure. The method  100  can remediate the costs to automatically achieve, or balance, power consumption and performance on the compressor. In one aspect, the method  100  is useful to provide a real-time adjustment during operation of the compressor once the compressor is placed in service or installed, e.g., as part of the process line. 
     At step  106 , the method  100  uses the operating scenarios to more clearly direct specific modifications to the operating settings. In the present example, the modifications focus on the speed of the drive unit and the position of the inlet guide vanes. The operating scenarios can include a pressure control and a flow control. The pressure control describes a relationship, or a relative position, between the measured value (P m ) and a threshold value (P t ) for the operating pressure on the compressor. The flow control, on the other hand, describes a relationship, or relative position, between the measured value (Q m ) and the threshold value (Q t ) for the operating flow on the compressor. Each operating scenario defines a unique combination of the pressure control and the flow control. Table 1 below identifies examples of several operating scenarios. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Operating Scenario 
                 Pressure Control 
                 Flow Control 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 1 
                 P m  &lt; P t   
                 Q m  &lt; Q t   
               
               
                   
                 2 
                 P m  ≧ P t   
                 Q m  &lt; Q t   
               
               
                   
                 3 
                 P m  &lt; P t   
                 Q m  &gt; Q t   
               
               
                   
                 4 
                 P m  ≧ P t   
                 Q m  &gt; Q t   
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     The threshold value may embody values that are different from the setpoints for the compressor. For example, the values may include a deadband value (or some other variable) that modifies the setpoints. This deadband value is configured to prevent hysteresis during the optimization process, wherein the modifications in the speed of the drive unit and/or the position of the inlet guide vanes modulate rapidly between particular values. Table 2 below provides examples of threshold values for use as the pressure threshold (P t ) and flow threshold (Q t ) for operating scenarios (including the operating scenarios in Table 1 above) that may occur on the compressor. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Operating Scenario 
                 Pressure Threshold 
                 Flow Threshold 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 1 
                 P t  = P s  − P d1   
                 Q t  = Q s  − Q d1   
               
               
                 2 
                 P t  = P s  + P d2   
                 Q t  = Q s  − Q d2   
               
               
                 3 
                 P t  − P s  − P d3   
                 Q t  = Q s  + Q d3   
               
               
                 4 
                 P t  = P s  + P d4   
                 Q t  = Q s  + Q d4   
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     As shown in Table 2 above, the deadband values can represent various variables (identified, generally, as P di  and Q di ). One or more of these values may be the same (e.g., wherein P d1 =P d2 =P d3 =P d4  and/or wherein Q d1 =Q d2 =Q d3 =Q d4 ) or different (e.g., wherein P d1 ≠P d2 ≠P d3 ≠P d4  and/or wherein Q d1 ≠Q d2 ≠Q d3 ≠Q d4 ). The values may also depend on the particular operating scenario. In one example, the deadband value can describe a percentage (e.g., 10%) of the respective setpoint, a fixed value (e.g., 1, 5, etc.), and/or other numeric value that can operate to increase and/or decrease the respective setpoint for use as the threshold value. 
     The method  100 , at step  108 , modifies the value of one or more of the speed of the drive unit and the position of the inlet guide vane. For example, the method  100  can increase and/or decrease the speed and/or open or close the inlet guide vane. The amount and/or extent of these changes can depend on the operating scenario (e.g., the operating scenarios 1, 2, 3, and 4 of Tables 1 and 2). 
     At step  110 , the method  100  can implement the new speed and/or new position on the compressor. This step may include one or more steps for generating an output, which may derive from a control and/or circuit that is configured to communication with the respective component on the compressor. In one example, this output can comprise a signal (e.g., an electrical signal) that stimulates an actuator and/or motor, as desired. 
     At step  112 , the method  100  can complete the optimization process. As noted more below, this step may include additional steps for comparing the measured values for the operating flow rate, the operating pressure, and the power to one or more criteria and/or thresholds. This comparison can stop the iterative process, effectively setting the operating settings (e.g., the position of the inlet guide vane and the speed of the drive unit) at values that result in the lowest (or near lowest) power consumption for the compressor. 
       FIGS. 2 ,  3 ,  4 , and  5  depict a flow diagram for examples for a given operating scenario of the method  100 . These examples incorporate steps to modify the operating settings and, thus, effectively minimize power consumption on the compressor. These examples represent several variations that correspond with the operating scenarios outlined in Tables 1 and 2. 
     In  FIG. 2 , the example of the method  100  addresses the Operating Scenario 1 in Table 1. In this operating scenario, the measured value for the operating flow rate (Q m ) and the operating pressure (P m ) are less than the threshold value (P t , Q t ). The method  100  can include, at step  114 , selecting a value for the position adjustment that opens the inlet guide vane and, at step  116 , assigning a new position to the inlet guide vane that includes the value for the position adjustment. The method  100  also includes, at step  118 , comparing the new position to the maximum value for the position of the inlet guide vane. If the new position is equal to (and/or greater than) the maximum value, then the method  100  continues, at step  120 , assigning the maximum value to the new position, at step  122 , selecting a value for the speed adjustment that increases the speed of the drive unit, and, at step  124 , assigning a new speed for the drive unit that includes the value for the speed adjustment. The method  100  can also include, at step  126 , comparing the new speed to the maximum value for the speed of the drive unit. If the new speed is greater than (or equal to), then the method  100  can continue, at step  128 , assigning the maximum value to the new speed. As also shown in  FIG. 2 , if the new position is less than the maximum value at step  118  or the new speed is less than the maximum speed at step  126 , then the method  100  can continue, at step  110 , to configure the compressor to operate at the value of the speed of the drive unit and the position of the inlet guide vane. At step  110 , the method  100  may further include, at step  130 , moving the inlet guide vane to the new position and, at step  132 , operating the drive unit at the new speed. 
       FIG. 3  shows steps for the method  100  that address the Operating Scenario 2 of Table 1. In this operating scenario, the measured value for the operating flow rate (Q m ) is less than the threshold value (Q t ) and the measured value for the operating pressure (P m ) is greater than or equal to the threshold value (P t ). The method  100  includes steps  114  and  116  to open the inlet guide vane to the new position. The method  100  also includes, at step  134 , selecting a value for the speed adjustment that decreases the speed of the drive unit and, at step  136 , assigning a new speed for the drive unit that includes the value for the speed adjustment. The method  100  also includes, at step  138 , comparing the new speed to the minimum value for the speed of the drive unit. If the new speed is less than (or equal to) the minimum value, then the method  100  can include, at step  140 , assigning the minimum value to the new speed. The method  100  can continue, at step  118 , comparing the new position to the maximum value for the position of the inlet guide vane. If the new position is greater than (or equal to) the maximum value, then the method  100  continues, at step  120 , assigning the maximum value to the new position, at step  122 , selecting a value for the speed adjustment that increases the speed of the drive unit, and, at step  124 , assigning a new speed for the drive unit that includes the value for the speed adjustment. The method  100  can also include, at step  126 , comparing the new speed to the maximum value for the speed of the drive unit. If the new speed is greater than (or equal to), then the method  100  can continue, at step  128 , assigning the maximum value to the new speed. As also shown in  FIG. 3 , if the new position is less than the maximum value at step  118  or the new speed is less than the maximum speed at step  126 , then the method  100  can continue, at step  110 , to configure the compressor to operate at the value of the speed of the drive unit and the position of the inlet guide vane. At step  110 , the method  100  may further include, at step  130 , moving the inlet guide vane to the new position and, at step  132 , operating the drive unit at the new speed. 
     In the example of  FIG. 4 , the method  100  addresses the Operating Scenario 3 of Table 1. In this operating scenario, the measured value for the operating flow rate (Q m ) is greater than the threshold value (Q t ) and the measured value for the operating pressure (P m ) is less than the threshold value (P t ). The method  100  includes, at step  142 , selecting a value for the position adjustment that closes the inlet guide vane and, at step  144 , assigning a new position to the inlet guide vane that includes the value for the position adjustment. The method  100  also includes, at step  146 , selecting a value for the speed adjustment that increases the speed of the drive unit and, at step  148 , assigning a new speed for the drive unit that includes the value for the speed adjustment. In one embodiment, the method  100  includes, at step  150 , comparing the new speed to the maximum value for the speed of the drive unit. If the new speed is greater than the maximum value, then the method  100  can include, at step  152 , assigning the maximum value to the new speed. The method  100  can also include, at step  154 , comparing the new position to the minimum value for the position of the inlet guide vane. If the new position is less than (or equal to) the minimum value, then the method  100  continues, at step  156 , assigning the minimum value to the new position, at step  122 , selecting a value for the speed adjustment that increases the speed of the drive unit, and, at step  124 , assigning a new speed for the drive unit that includes the value for the speed adjustment. The method  100  can also include, at step  126 , comparing the new speed to the maximum value for the speed of the drive unit. If the new speed is greater than (or equal to), then the method  100  can continue, at step  128 , assigning the maximum value to the new speed. As also shown in  FIG. 4 , if the new position is less than the maximum value at step  118  or the new speed is less than the maximum speed at step  126 , then the method  100  can continue, at step  110 , to configure the compressor to operate at the value of the speed of the drive unit and the position of the inlet guide vane. At step  110 , the method  100  may further include, at step  130 , moving the inlet guide vane to the new position and, at step  132 , operating the drive unit at the new speed. 
       FIG. 5  shows steps for the method  100  that address the Operating Scenario 4 of Table 2. In this operating scenario, the measured value for the operating flow rate (Q m ) is greater than the threshold value (Q t ) and the measured value for the operating pressure (P m ) is greater than or equal to the threshold value (P t ). The method  100  includes, includes, at step  134 , selecting a value for the speed adjustment that decreases the speed of the drive unit and, at step  136 , assigning a new speed for the drive unit that includes the value for the speed adjustment. The method  100  also includes, at step  138 , comparing the new speed to the minimum value for the speed of the drive unit. If the new speed is less than the minimum value, then the method  100  can include, at step  140 , assigning the minimum value to the new speed. The method  100  can also include, at step  158 , selecting a value for the position adjustment that closes the inlet guide vane and, at step  160 , assigning a new position for the inlet guide vane that includes the value for the position adjustment. The method  100  also includes, at step  162 , comparing the new position to the minimum value for the position of the guide vane. If the new position is less than (or equal to) the minimum position, then the method  100  continues, at step  164 , assigning the minimum value to the new position. In one example in which the new position is greater than the minimum position, the method  100  can continue, at step  130 , moving the inlet guide vane to the new position and, at step  132 , operating the drive unit at the new speed. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a flow diagram for the method  100  that sets out additional details and steps that are useful for optimizing performance of the compressor. These steps may incorporate one or more of the steps described above in connection with  FIGS. 2 ,  3 ,  4 , and  5 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 6 , the method  100  includes, at step  166 , setting an initial value for the position of the inlet guide vane and the speed of the drive unit. The method  100  also includes, at step  168 , setting an initial value for the threshold values for one or more of the operating flow rate and the operating pressure. The initial values for the position and speed may correspond to values that originate from the initial set-up and/or fit-up of the compressor as part of the process line. In conventional practice, these original values typically allow the compressor to achieve the setpoints without regard for power consumption. As noted herein, this disclosure offers an improvement over these conventional practices, in effect considering that the initial values may be less than and/or greater than these original values. 
     The method  100  can continue, at step  102 , performing one or more iterations of the optimization process and more particularly, at step  170 , receiving a first input with the measured values for the operating flow rate and the operating pressure. The method  100  further continues, at steps  106 ,  108 ,  110 ,  130 , and  132 , to utilize the various operating scenarios (e.g., Operating Scenarios 1, 2, 3, and 4 of Tables 1 and 2, and as show in the examples of  FIGS. 2 ,  3 ,  4 , and  5 ) to modify operation of the compressor. In one example, the method  100  can include, at step  172 , receiving a second measured value for the operating flow rate and the operating pressure, wherein this second measured value can reflect the operating flow rate, the operating pressure, and a power consumption for the compressor at the new position and new speed (as described herein). The method  100  can also include, at step  174 , comparing the second measured value to the setpoints for operating flow rate and operating pressure and to a minimum power consumption value. In one example, the minimum power consumption value corresponds with a previously-stored power consumption, typically a value for power consumption of the compressor at a previous speed for the drive unit and a previous position for the inlet guide vane. If the second measured value does not satisfy the one or more of the setpoints, then the method  100  can continue, at step  176 , comparing the measured value for the power consumption to the previously-stored power consumption and where the measured value for the power consumption is less than the previously-stored power consumption, at step  178 , assigning the measured value for the power consumption to the minimum power consumption value. The method  100  can then continue, at step  106 , to continue to iterate through the optimization process until, for example, the method  100  continues, at step  112 , completing the one or more iterations, as noted herein. 
       FIGS. 7 ,  8 , and  9  depict in various views an example of a compressor in the form of a centrifugal compressor. Use of the compressor  200  is often associated with industrial processes as found in, for example, the automotive, electronics, aerospace, oil and gas, power generation, petrochemical, and like sectors and industries.  FIG. 7  provides a perspective view of the compressor  200  (shown without inlet guide vanes at the inlet).  FIG. 8  illustrates a front view of the compressor  200  with a first configuration for an inlet guide vane assembly.  FIG. 9  depicts the front view of the compressor  200  with a second configuration for the inlet guide vane assembly. 
     In  FIG. 7 , the compressor  200  has an inlet  202  with an inner wall  204  that defines a flow area  206 . The inner wall  204  can form part of a component commonly referred to as an inlet guide vane housing cover. The inlet  202  couples with a volute  208  that has an outlet  210  (also, “discharge  210 ”). Examples of the discharge  210  are configured to couple the compressor  200  with industrial piping, conduits, and like flow-related structures. As also shown in  FIG. 7 , the compressor  200  includes a drive unit  212  that couples with an impeller  214  having a central axis  216 , typically through a gearbox and/or like assembly. In use, the drive unit  214  rotates the impeller  212  to draw a working fluid (e.g., air) into the inlet  202 . The impeller  212  compresses the working fluid, which in turn flows through the volute  208  to form an exit flow that discharges from the compressor  200  at the discharge  210 . This exit flow can exhibit one or more flow properties (e.g., flow rate, pressure, etc.) that meet certain desired setpoints on a process line. As the name implies, the inlet guide vane assembly may reside in and/or proximate the inlet  202  in a position that is upstream of the impeller  212  to regulate the effective size of the flow area  206 , thus modulating the flow of working fluid into the compressor  200 . 
     As noted above,  FIGS. 8 and 9  show different configurations for the inlet guide vane assembly. The first configuration of  FIG. 8  has a plurality of inlet guide vanes  218 , each with a vane body  220  with a first end  222 , a second end  224 , and an axis  226  extending therebetween. In one implementation, the vane body  220  couples with the inner wall  204  at the first end  222  and with a component proximate the central axis  216  of the impeller  214 . The compressor  200  can also include an actuator, identified generally by the numeral  228 . In  FIG. 9 , the compressor  200  also includes a flow director  230  (also “bullet  230 ” or “insert  230 ”) that resides in the inlet  202 . The bullet  230  segregates the flow area  206  ( FIG. 7 ) into an annulus, which describes the area between the bullet  230  and the inner surface (or diameter) of the inlet guide vane housing cover. The inlet guide vanes  220  populate the annulus. Examples of the actuator can include cylinders and lead screw devices that couple with the vane body  220  in both configurations of  FIGS. 8 and 9 , typically via some intervening articulating structure. During operation, this intervening articulating structure can transfer movement of the actuator  228  to rotate the vane body  220  about the axis  226 . This action changes the position of the vane body  220  to increase and decrease the effective size of the flow area  206  ( FIG. 7 ). 
     Referring also back to  FIG. 6 , the steps in the method  100  for receiving the input (e.g., at steps  170  and  172  of  FIG. 6 ) can leverage configurations that provide feedback that quantifies the operation of the compressor. This feedback may arise internally at the compressor  200  (via, for example, one or more in-situ sensors) as well as in connection with use of a control system that manages operation of the compressor  200 . To this end,  FIG. 10  depicts a schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of a compressor  200 . This embodiment is part of a control system  234  that includes a controller  236  that couples with an ambient sensor  238 , an operating parameter sensor  240 , and a variable speed drive  242 . Examples of the variable speed drive  242  are configured to manage operation of the drive unit  212  to cause the impeller  214  to rotate at different speeds, e.g., from a first speed to a second speed. The controller  236  can also communicate with the actuator  228  to cause the inlet guide vanes  218  to change position, e.g., from a first position to a second position. In one embodiment, the controller  236  (or one or more other devices in the system  234 ) can communicate via a network  244  with a peripheral device  246  (e.g., a display, a computer, smartphone, laptop, tablet, etc.) and/or an external server  248 . 
     The controller  236  includes computers and computing devices with processors and memory that can store and execute certain executable instructions, software programs, and the like. The controller  236  can be a separate unit, e.g., part of a control unit that operates the compressor  200  and other equipment. This control unit and/or the controller  236  can be located remote from the compressor  200 , with communication between the compressor  200  and the controller  236  occurring by way of wireless and wired communication, e.g., via network  244 . In other examples, the controller  236  integrates with the compressor  200 , e.g., as part of the hardware and/or software that operates the drive unit  212  and/or the actuator  228 . 
     The ambient sensor  238  provides information about the environment surrounding the compressor  200 . This information can include ambient temperature, ambient pressure, and relative humidity, among other measurements. As set forth below, implementations of the system  234  can use this information to determine operation settings (e.g., positions for the inlet vane guides  218  and speed of the drive unit  212 ) for desired setpoints using these operating conditions and, in one particular example, correlating the setpoints for operating conditions during current operation with operating conditions that prevail during in-situ testing of the compressor  200 . 
     The parameter sensor  240  monitors various conditions and parameters of the compressor  200 . These parameters may include flow rate, flow velocity, static pressure, driver power, and the like. As noted above, these parameters often relate to the settings that dictate operation of the device. Examples of these settings include input power, current, voltage, and torque, among others. In one implementation, the settings identify the speed of the drive unit  212  and the position of the inlet guide vanes  218  (and/or some reasonable representation thereof). The parameter sensor  240  can comprise one or more sensor devices that are sensitive to the conditions and parameters. These sensor devices can embody flow meters, pressure transducers, accelerometers, and like components. Such devices generate signals (e.g., analog and digital signals), which include data that represents the measured value for the corresponding flow parameter. 
     Examples of the parameter sensor  240  may couple with a shaft or other mechanism that transfers energy from the drive unit  212  to the impeller  214 . When in this position, the parameter sensor  240  can measure several parameters (e.g., torque, angular velocity, etc.) that define the operation of the drive unit  214  and/or the compressor  200  in general. Other positions for the parameter sensor  240  include proximate the interior of the volute (e.g., volute  208  of  FIG. 7 ) and proximate the outlet (e.g., outlet  210  of  FIG. 7 ), as well as other positions to measure flow parameters of the working fluid that moves through the compressor  200 . In some embodiments, the system  234  may employ a flow meter at the inlet (e.g., inlet  202  of  FIG. 7 ), a pressure sensor proximate the outlet (e.g., outlet  210  of  FIG. 7 ), and/or circuitry to monitor the amount of power the drive unit  212  uses during operation of the compressor  200 . The sensor devices provide signals to the controller  236 . The compressor  200  may also include circuitry to operate the drive unit  212  that includes certain configurations of elements (e.g., capacitors, resistors, transistors, etc.) to monitor inputs to the drive unit  212 , e.g., current, voltage, power, etc. 
     During one exemplary operation, movement of the actuator  228  can change the orientation of the inlet guide vane  218  with respect to the flow of the working fluid. This disclosure does, however, contemplate a wide range of configurations for the inlet guide vane  218 . In one example the inlet guide vane  218  can rotate from one position (e.g., the first position) to another position (e.g., the second position), and vice versa. When found in an inlet guide vane assembly, collective rotation of the inlet guide vanes  218  by the actuator  228  changes the position of the inlet guide vanes  218  relative to one another to increase and decrease the flow area of the inlet (e.g., inlet  202  of  FIG. 2 ). 
     One or more component of the  234  can transmit and/or encode data and information to define the operation of the compressor  200 . The controller  236  can process the signals from the operation sensor  240  to generate the outputs. These outputs can encode instructions for operation of one or more components to configure the compressor  200 . As set forth herein, the outputs can include data that relate to instructions to move the inlet guide vane  218 , e.g., to instruct operation of the actuator  228  to change the orientation and/or position of the inlet guide vane  218 . These instructions may, for example, cause the actuator  228  to move, which, in turn, moves (e.g., rotates) the inlet guide vane  218  through an angular offset from the first position to the second position. In one implementation, the outputs can include data that relate to instructions to operate the variable speed drive at a different speed. 
     In view of the foregoing, the embodiments herein implement an optimization process that can iterate through a multitude of combinations of operating settings on the compressor. This optimization process can identify at least one combination at which that lowers the power consumption, e.g., from the initial consumption that results during installation and/or fit-up with the process line. A technical effect of this embodiment is to provide the compressor and/or related control system with an effective tool to manage power consumption during real-time operation of the compressor. 
     One or more of the steps of the methods can be coded as one or more executable instructions (e.g., hardware, firmware, software, software programs, etc.). These executable instructions can be part of a computer-implemented method and/or program, which can be executed by a processor and/or processing device. The processor may be configured to execute these executable instructions, as well as to process inputs and to generate outputs, as set forth herein. For example, the software can run on the compressor, any related control device and/or diagnostics server, and/or as software, application, or other aggregation of executable instructions on a separate computer, tablet, laptop, smart phone, wearable device, and like computing device. These devices can display the user interface (also, a “graphical user interface”) that allows the end user to interact with the software to view and input information and data as contemplated herein. 
     The computing components (e.g., memory and processor) can embody hardware that incorporates with other hardware (e.g., circuitry) to form a unitary and/or monolithic unit devised to execute computer programs and/or executable instructions (e.g., in the form of firmware and software). Exemplary circuits of this type include discrete elements such as resistors, transistors, diodes, switches, and capacitors. Examples of a processor include microprocessors and other logic devices such as field programmable gate arrays (“FPGAs”) and application specific integrated circuits (“ASICs”). Memory includes volatile and non-volatile memory and can store executable instructions in the form of and/or including software (or firmware) instructions and configuration settings. Although all of the discrete elements, circuits, and devices function individually in a manner that is generally understood by those artisans that have ordinary skill in the electrical and software arts, it is their combination and integration into functional analog and/or digital and/or electrical groups and circuits that generally provide for the concepts that are disclosed and described herein. 
     Aspects of the present disclosure may be embodied as a system, method, or computer program product. The embodiments may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (including firmware, software, etc.) or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may all generally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module” or “system.” The computer program product may embody one or more non-transitory computer readable medium(s) having computer readable program code embodied thereon. 
     In one embodiment, this disclosure contemplates a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising executable instructions stored thereon. Broadly, these instructions can embody one or more of the steps of the method  100 , and its variants and embodiments, as noted herein. In one example, the executable instruction can comprise instructions for performing one or more iterations of an optimization process, each iteration defining a combination of operating settings for the compressor, the combination defining a value for a speed for the drive unit and a position for the inlet guide vane, the optimization process comprising, selecting among a plurality of operating scenarios for the compressor, each of the plurality of operating scenarios corresponding with a different relative position between a threshold value and a measured value for an operating flow rate and an operating pressure, the operating flow rate and the operating pressure relating to fluid discharging from the compressor at the value for the speed for the drive unit and the position for the inlet guide vane; modifying the value of the speed of the drive unit and the position of the inlet guide vane in accordance with the selected operating scenario; configuring the compressor to operate at the value of the speed of the drive unit and the position of the inlet guide vane; and completing the one or more iterations of the optimization process in response to the compressor operating at a minimum power consumption value with the measured value for the operating flow rate and the operating pressure at a setpoint threshold for the compressor, wherein the plurality of operating scenarios maintain the value for the speed of the drive unit and the position of the inlet guide vane at or above a minimum value and at or below a maximum value for the speed of the drive unit and the position of the inlet guide vanes. 
     Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of the present invention may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language and conventional procedural programming languages. Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless, wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination of the foregoing. 
     As used herein, an element or function recited in the singular and proceeded with the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding plural said elements or functions, unless such exclusion is explicitly recited. Furthermore, references to “one embodiment” of the claimed invention should not be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. 
     This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.