Experiment # 7

Objectives:
1. “Investigation of variation of air flow rate with compressor ratio (without
intercooling)”
2. “Understanding the relationship between air flow rate and compressor ratio.”

Apparatus:
Two stage reciprocating compressors

Main Parts of Reciprocating Compressor

1. 1st stage compressor
2. 2nd stage compressor
3. Intercooler
4. Pressure gauges
5. Water purge valve
6. Rota-meter

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.

Following advantages of compresses air are as follow:

 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.

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 are completed 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.

Experimental 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.

Observations and calculations:

1
X av = (x 1+ x 2+ x 3)
n

Sx=
√ 1
n−1
2 2 2
( ( x 1−xav ) + ( x 2−xav ) + ( x 3−xav ) )
No. Inlet Air Air Air 1st stage 2nd stage Manometric Compressor Compresso Voltage
Of Temperature exit inlet exit pressure pressure height Speed r
obs T1 1st of 2nd of 2nd P1 P2 H Nc Current
o
C stage stage stage kNm-2 kNm-2 Rpm Ampere
T2 T3 T4
o
C o
C o
C

1. 31 95.2 49 55.5 240 100 95 1350 5.5 340

2. 29.6 121.8 74.7 71.5 280 200 94 1350 6 342
3. 29.8 135.9 94.8 89.8 300 300 93 1340 6.2 343
4. 30.1 142.7 105.6 104.8 300 400 93 1330 6.3 343
5. 30.7 148.2 112.7 117.6 320 500 92 1300 6.5 343

Specimen Calculations:
T1 =
T2 =
T3 =
T4 =
1st stage pressure = P1 =
2nd stage pressure = P2 =
Manometric Height = H =
Air flow measurement = qv = 4.71384×10-5√ h ×(T 1+273¿)¿
qv = air flow volume; h = orifice plate manometer pressure mmWg`
Inlet abs = Pia = Pi + Patm = 0 + 101.325 = 101.325 KNm-2
1st stage abs = P1a = P1 + Patm = _____ + 101.325 = _______KNm-2
2nd stage abs = P2a = P2 + Patm = ______ +101.325 = ______ KNm-2
P1a
1st stage pressure ratio = = ______
P ia
P2a
2nd stage pressure ratio = = _____
P ia
Overall pressure ratio = P2a/pia = ______
 Results:

No. Of Air Flow 1st 2nd 1st 2nd Overall

obs Measurement Stage Stage Stage Stage Pressure
Abs Abs Pressure Pressure Ratio
P1a P2a Ratio Ratio

1. 0.680678496 341.325 201.325 55.5 240 100

2. 0.670411752 381.325 301.325 71.5 280 200
3. 0.6637181 401.325 401.325 89.8 300 300
4. 0.66437568 401.325 501.325 104.8 300 400
5. 0.658532876 421.325 601.325 117.6 320 500

Graphs:

1. Q vs 1st stage P/R

2. Q vs 2nd stage P/R

3. Q vs overall P/R
 Experiment # 8
Statement:
“To investigate the variation in the volumetric efficiency with compressor ratio
(without intercooling).”

Learning Objective:
Explain the relationship of volumetric efficiency with compressor ratio.

Apparatus:
Two stage reciprocating compressors

Main Parts of Reciprocating Compressor:

1. 1st stage compressor
2. 2nd stage compressor
3. Intercooler
4. Pressure gauges
5. Water purge valve
6. Rota-meter

Theory:
Volumetric Efficiency:
Volumetric efficiency is the ratio of the actual volume of gas drawn into the cylinder to the
piston displacement. The volumetric efficiency directly affects the capacity because the
capacity depends directly on the cylinder’s piston displacement.

Experimental 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 increase the
pressure of air, after this output of this 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.

Observations and Calculations:

 Compressor swept volume per revolution = 0.3544×10-3 m3

No. Inlet Air Air Air 1st stage 2nd stage Manometric Compressor Compresso Voltage
Of Temperature exit inlet exit pressure pressure height Speed r
obs T1 1st of 2nd of 2nd P1 P2 H Nc Current
o
C stage stage stage kNm-2 kNm-2 Rpm Ampere
T2 T3 T4
o
C o
C o
C

1. 31 95.2 49 55.5 240 100 95 1350 5.5 340

2. 29.6 121.8 74.7 71.5 280 200 94 1350 6 342
3. 29.8 135.9 94.8 89.8 300 300 93 1340 6.2 343
4. 30.1 142.7 105.6 104.8 300 400 93 1330 6.3 343
5. 30.7 148.2 112.7 117.6 320 500 92 1300 6.5 343

T1 =
T2 =
T3 =
T4 =
1st stage pressure = P1 =
2nd stage pressure = P2 =
Manometric Height = H =

Air flow measurement = qv = 4.71384×10-5√ h ×(T 1+273¿)¿

qv = air flow volume; h = orifice plate manometer pressure mmWg

Inlet abs = Pia = Pi + Patm = 0 + 101.325 = 101.325 KNm-2

1st stage abs = P1a = P1 + Patm = _____ + 101.325 = _______KNm-2

2nd stage abs = P2a = P2 + Patm = ______ +101.325 = ______ KNm-2
P1a
1st stage pressure ratio = = ______
P ia
P2a
2nd stage pressure ratio = = _____
P ia
Overall pressure ratio = P2a/pia = ______
Va= (compressor swept volume per revolution × Nc) / 60 = ______ m3/ second

qv
ηv = × 100 = _____ %
Va
Results:
Sr. # Air Flow Va ηv Overall P/R
measurement
qv
1. 0.680678496 0.007974 85.36224 1.986923267
2. 0.670411752 0.007974 84.07471 2.973846533
3. 0.6637181 0.007915 83.85644 3.9607698
4. 0.66437568 0.007856 84.57064 4.947693067
5. 0.658532876 0.007679 85.76136 5.934616334

Graph:

Volumetric efficiency by Overall pressure ratio

Experiment # 9
 Statement:
“To investigate the variation of isothermal efficiency with compressor ratio
(without intercooler)”

Apparatus:
Two stage compressors

Main Parts of Reciprocating Compressor:

1. 1st stage compressor
2. 2nd stage compressor
3. Pressure gauges
4. Rota-meter

Theory:

Isothermal Efficiency
The isothermal efficiency is defined as the ratio of the work input to the isothermal process, to
the work input to the actual process between the same inlet and exit pressures. ηC = Reversible
isothermal compressor work/Actual compressor work.

Experimental Procedure:
Procedure starts by entering fresh air from any source at the inlet of first stage of compressor
and conditions like temperature pressure are noted at that condition compressor increase the
pressure of air, after this output of the air is used as input of second stage of compressor. It
increases pressure mire to a higher value than first one. Note temperature and pressure
readings at this condition.

Observations and Calculations

No. Inlet Air Air Air 1st stage 2nd stage Manometric Compressor Compresso Voltage
Of Temperature exit inlet exit pressure pressure height Speed r
obs T1 1st of 2nd of 2nd P1 P2 H Nc Current
o
C stage stage stage kNm-2 kNm-2 Rpm Ampere
T2 T3 T4
o
C o
C o
C
1. 31 95.2 49 55.5 240 100 95 1350 5.5 340
2. 29.6 121.8 74.7 71.5 280 200 94 1350 6 342
3. 29.8 135.9 94.8 89.8 300 300 93 1340 6.2 343
4. 30.1 142.7 105.6 104.8 300 400 93 1330 6.3 343
5. 30.7 148.2 112.7 117.6 320 500 92 1300 6.5 343

T1 = ___ 0C, T2 = __ 0C, T3 = ___ 0C, T4 = ___ 0C 1

1st stage pressure = P1 = _____ KNm-2
2nd stage pressure = P2 =_____ KNm-2
Manometric height = H = ______m

Air flow measurement = qv = 4.71384×10-5√ℎ × (𝑇1 + 273) = ____m3/s

Where, qv = air flow volume, h= orifice plate manometer pressure mmWg
Inlet abs = Pia = Pi + Patm = 0 + 101.325 = 101.325 KNm-2
1st stage abs= P1a = P1 + Patm = ______ + 101.325 = _______ KNm-2
2nd stage abs = P2a =P2 + Patm= ______ + 101.325 = _______ KNm-2

1st stage pressure ratio = 𝑃1𝑎 /𝑃𝑖𝑎 = ______

2nd stage pressure ratio = 𝑃2𝑎 /𝑃1𝑎 = _____

Overall pressure ratio =𝑃2𝑎 /𝑃ia = _______

ρair = Pi / RTi = ______ kg/ litre
Mass flow of air = mͦ = qv × ρair = ______ kg/s
For adiabatic compression
γ−1
P1
To= Ti ( ) γ
or
pi
γ−1
P1
For the 1st stage compression T2= T1 ( ) γ
= ______K = _______0C
pi
Adiabatic work required for compression
γ −1
WAdiabatic = mͦair RTi ( ) [(Po/ Pi) ^ (γ−1 / γ) − 1] = mͦair RTi (γ / γ−1) [(P1 / Pi) ^ (γ−1 / γ) − 1]
γ
= _______ watts
Heat is observed by the cooling water and the heat lost can be determined from
Qwater= mwater Cpwater (T6 - T5) = _____ watts
For the 2nd stage compression T4= T3 (P2 / P1) ^ (γ−1/ γ) = ________K =________ 0C
Adiabatic work required for compression
WAdiabatic = mͦair RT3 (γ / γ−1) [(P2 P1) ^ (γ−1/ γ) − 1] = _______ watts
Work for multi stage compression is = w1 + w2 + w3....
WTotal = ______ watts
Isothermal work = mͦair RTi ln (Po /Pi)
Wiso = mRt1 ln (P1/ Pa) for first stage = ______ watts
Wiso = mRt3 ln (P2/ P1) for first stage = ______ watts
Wiso (total) = mRt1 ln (P1/ Pa) + mRt3 ln (P2/ P1)
ɳiso= Isothermal work / Actual work = ______ %
Results

No. of obs T2 T4 Wiso Wactual Isothermal

efficiency
1
2
3
4
5