Thermodynamics II Lab Report
Week 09
Submit to: Mam Bushra Riaz
Submitted by: Waqas Ibrahim
Roll no: 18-MCE-49
NFC Institute of Engineering and Fertilizer Research
Two Stage Reciprocating air compressor
Objective:
In this experiment we have to Investigate the variation of air flow rate
with compressor ratio (without inter-cooling). Understand the relationship
between air flow rate and compressor ratio.
Apparatus:
Two stage reciprocating compressor
Parts of Reciprocating Compressor:
1st stage compressor
2nd stage compressor
Intercooler
Pressure gauges
Water purge valve
Rota-meter
Theory:
Air Compressor
A machine suck low pressure, low temperature air from atmosphere and
compresses it to high pressure and high temperature by reciprocating motion of
compressor is called a compressor.
Working Principle:
Work must be done upon the gas by an external agency. An air compressor
takes in air at atmospheric pressure, compresses it at the cost of the work
supplied, and delivers the high pressure air to a storage vessel called receiver
from which it may be conveyed by the pipe line to a place where the supply of
compressed air is required.
Advantages of compresses:
Compressed air produces smooth translation with more uniform force
Air does not possess the potential shock hazard of electricity or the
potential fire hazard of oils.
It is a utility that is generated in-house, so owners have more control over
it than any other utility.
It can be used to push a piston, as in a jackhammer.
Compressed air provides torque and rotation power for pneumatic tools,
such as drills, brushes, nut runners, riveting guns, and screwdrivers.
Common applications are to cool large buildings.
To operate lift, reams and pump.
In paint spraying and in air conveying, the dynamic pressure of the air
imparts motion.
Types of Compressors:
Positive Displacement Compressor
In positive displacement type compressors, compression is achieved by trapping
air into an enclosed space and then reducing its volume. Since a fixed amount of
air is trapped each time, its pressure rises as its volume is reduced. When the
pressure rises to the required level, then it is expelled from the enclosed space
and a fresh charge of low-pressure air is drawn in and the cycle continues. Since
the flow of air to the compressor is not steady, the positive displacement type
compressor is a pulsating flow device. However, since the operating speeds are
normally very high the flow appears to be almost steady on macroscopic time
scale.
Depending upon the construction, positive displacement type
compressors can be classified into:
Reciprocating type
Rotary type with sliding vanes (rolling piston type or multiple vane type)
Rotary screw type (single screw or twin-screw type)
Reciprocating Compressors
Reciprocating air compressors compresses air in a cylinder by reciprocating
motion of piston and supplies high pressure air with intermittent discharge.
Rotary compressors have compressed air at low pressure but with continuous
and high discharge. Reciprocating air compressors may be single acting or
double acting. Reciprocating compressors consist of a piston moving back and
forth in a cylinder, with suction and discharge valves to achieve suction and
compression of air. Its construction and working are somewhat similar to a two-
stroke engine, as suction and compression of air arecompleted in one revolution
of the crank. Reciprocating air compressors are positive displacement machines,
meaning that they increase the pressure of the air by reducing its volume. This
means they are taking in successive volumes of air which is confined within a
closed space and elevating this air to a higher pressure. The reciprocating air
compressor accomplishes this by a piston within a cylinder as the compressing
and displacing element.
Procedure:
Procedure starts by entering fresh air from any source at the inlet of first
compressor and conditions like temperature pressure are noted at that
condition compressor increases the pressure of air.
Output of first stage compressor is then enter to intercooler which has
some cooling medium like water to reduce the temperature of compressed
air.
Temperature at the exit of intercooler is nearly equal to the initial
temperature.
After this output air is used as input of second compressor second
compressor increases pressure mire to a higher value than first one.
Note temperature and pressure readings at this condition.
Observation and Calculation
N Inlet Air Air Air 1st 2nd Manom Compr Compressor
o Temperat exit inlet exist stage stage etric e ssor Current
Of ure T1oC 1st of of pressur pressur height Speed
ob stage 2nd 2 nd e P1 e P2 H Nc
s T2o Stag stag kNm-2 kNm-2 Rpm
C e e
T3o T4o
C C
1
(Calculation of compressor ratio without inter-cooling)
Calculations
Result:
Sr. qv 1st stage pressure ratio 2nd stage pressure Overall pressure
# ratio ratio
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Graph:
Conclusion:
