UNIT-5

Air Compressors
Review of equations
Work done in a single stage compressor
Work done in a two stage compressor for perfect inter cooling
Work done in a two stage compressor
Volumetric Efficiency
Problem 1
A single stage acting air compressor 30 cm bore and 40 cm stroke is running at a speed of
100 RP! "t takes in air at 1 bar and #0$% and dri&e it w'en t'e compresses it to a
pressure of ( bar! )ind t'e power re*uired to dri&e it w'en compression is +i, isot'ermal
+ii, PV1!# - % and +iii, adiabatic! Also find t'e isot'ermal efficiencies for t'e cases +ii,
and +iii, .eglect clearance!
( )
1 #
1
1
#
1 1

1
1
1
T T mR
n
n
P
P
V P
n
n
n
n

1
1
]
1

,
_

1
1
]
1

,
_

+
1
1
]
1

,
_

1
1
1
1
1
#
#
# #
1
1
#
1 1
n
n
n
n
P
P
V P
n
n
P
P
V P
n
n
1
1
]
1

,
_

1
1
#
#
1
1
3
1 1
n
n
P
P
V P
n
n
1
1
]
1

,
_

+
n
a
a
P
P
c c
T P
T P
1
1
#
1
1
1

bar ( P
#
#0 /
bar 1 P 40
30 0 100
1
1
1



C
cm L
cm d RPM N
cycle
L d V
s
1 m 0!0#2
0!4 3 ! 0
4 4
3
# #

kg1s 0(( ! 0
#33 #24 ! 0
044 ! 0 10 1 P
1 m 044 ! 0
50
100
0#2 ! 0
#
1
1 1
3
1


x
x x
RT
V
m
s V V
s

kW Ln x x
P
P
Ln mRT
P
P
Ln V P
i
(5 ! 4
1
(
#33 #24 ! 0 0(( ! 0
Power
% PV "sot'ermal , +
1
#
1
1
#
1 1

6 14 ! 323
1
(
#33
% PV , +
# ! 1
1 # ! 1
1
1
#
1 #
1!#

,
_

,
_

n
n
P
P
T T
i
( ) ( )
( ) kW (3 ! 2 #33 14 ! 323 #24 ! 0 7 !0(( 0
1 # ! 1
# ! 1


1 1
Power
1 # 1 1 # #

x
T T mR x
n
n
V P V P
n
n
6 454
1
(
#33
% PV Adiabatic , +
8 (4 ! 22
22(4 ! 0
(3 ! 2
(5 ! 4

Power "sot'ermal

4 ! 1
1 4 ! 1
1
1
#
1 #
1!4

,
_

,
_

P
P
T T
iii
r Actualowe
effiency !sot"ermal
!sot"ermal
Problem 2
A single acting stage acting air compressor wit' clearance running at 350 rpm 'as a bore
of 10 cm! /'e compression and e7pansion are polytrop'ic wit' n - 1!#( for eac'! /'e
clearance &olume is 20cm3 ! !f t"e suction and delivery ressures are #$%& kPa and
'()%*+ kPa a,solute- find t"e free air at &(& kPa and &.$%deli&ered per minute! W'at is
t'e work done per cycle9 /'e temperature at t'e beginning of compression may be taken
as 30$%!)ind also t'e power re*uired to dri&e t'e compressor!
6 454
1
(
#33
% PV Adiabatic , +
8 (4 ! 22
22(4 ! 0
(3 ! 2
(5 ! 4

Power "sot'ermal

4 ! 1
1 4 ! 1
1
1
#
1 #
1!4

,
_

,
_

P
P
T T
iii
r Actualowe
effiency !sot"ermal
!sot"ermal
( )
( ) kW 4( ! 3 #33 454 #24 ! 0 7 !0(( 0
1 4 ! 1
4 ! 1


1
Power
1 #

x
T T mR x

8 20
20 ! 0
4( ! 3
(5 ! 4

!sot"ermal

kPa
kPa
kPa cm L
cm d T
C
C
a
101 P
3# ! 405 P
a
#
30 /
1 ! 32 P ( ! 2
10 0 1(
1
1

3 4 :
3 4 :
# #
m 10 2 ! 0 20
m 10 7 5!54(
0!2( 1 ! 0
4 4
x cm V
L d V
c
s

efficiency
1# ! 0
10 7 54( ! 5
10 7 2 ! 0
V
V
% ratio
4 :
4 :
s
c
Volumetric
Clearance
0!435
1 ! 32
3# ! 405
1# ! 0 1# ! 0 1
303 7 101
#22 7 1 ! 32

1
#( ! 1
1
1
1
#
1
1

1
1
]
1

,
_

+
1
1
]
1

,
_

+
n
a
a
P
P
c c
T P
T P

min 1 m 0!1133 350 7 0!0003314

cycle 1 m 0!0003314
10 7 5!54( 7 435 ! 0 V air free of Volume
3
3
4 :
a

s
a
V
V

kg1min 0!14(4
#22 7 #24 ! 0
!1133 0 7 101

a
a a
RT
T P
m
( )
( )
kW or k;1s 0!(
303 54 ! 443 0!#24 7 0!00#4# 7
1 #( ! 1
1!#(

mR 7
1
n
Power
6 54 ! 443
1 ! 32
3# ! 405
303
sec 1 00#4# ! 0
50
0!14(4
m
1 #
#( ! 1
1 #( ! 1
1
1
#
1 #

,
_

,
_

,
_

,
_

T T
n
P
P
T T
k/
n
n
cycle k0 cycle Workdone 1 0024 ! 0
50 350
( ! 0
1
Problem 3
A single stage double acting air compressor is re*uired to deal wit' 14 m31min of air
measured at 1 bar and 1(<%! t'e pressure and temperature at t'e end of suction is 0!32 bar
and 30<%! /'e deli&ery pressure is 5!3bar! /'e rpm of t'e compressor is (00!assuming a
clearance &olume of (8 of t'e stroke &olume0 laws of t'e compression and e7pansion as
PV1!3# -%0 calculate t'e necessary stroke of &olume0 temperature of t'e air deli&ered and
power of t'e compressor!
rm N
,ar C
,ar
C
,ar
m T
a a
(00
3 ! 5 P
1 P
#
30 /
32 ! P
a
min 1 14 V 0 1(
1
1
3

1
1
]
1

,
_

+

n
a
a
P
P
C C
T P
T P
C
1
1
#
1
1
1
0( ! 0
100
(

min 1 040# ! 0
(00
11 ! #0
min 1 11 ! #0
24(# ! 0
14
0!24(#
32 ! 0
3 ! 5
0( ! 0 0( ! 0 1
303 7 1
#22 7 1 ! 32
3
3
3# ! 1
1
m V
m me 1trokeVolu V
V
V
s
s
s
a

1
1
]
1

,
_

6 44(!41 deli&ered air of

32 ! 0
3 ! 5
303
3# ! 1
1 3# ! 1
1
1
#
1 #

,
_

,
_

e Temeratur
P
P
T T
n
n
kg1sec 34#4 ! 0
50
(5 ! #0

kg1min (5 ! #0
#22 7 #24 ! 0
14 7 00 1 7 1


a
a a
RT
T P
m
Problem 4
A single stage double acting air compressor deli&ers 1( m3 of air per min of air measured
at 1!013 bar and #4<%! deli&ers at 4bar!/'e condition at t'e end of t'e suction stroke are
pressure 0!32 bar and temperature 4<%! /'e a clearance &olume is 48 of t'e swept
&olume0 and stroke to bore ration is 1!3=1 and compressor runs at 300rpm! calculate t'e
Volumetric efficiency of t'e compressor! Assume t'e inde7 of compression and
e7pansion to be 1!3!
( )
( )
kW or k;1s 40
303 41 ! 43( 0!#24 7 0!34#4 7
1 3# ! 1
1!3#

mR 7
1
n
Power
1 #

,
_

,
_

T T
n
3 ! 1 1
04 ! 0 0 300
4 P
013 ! 1 P
#
40 /
32 ! P
a
min 1 1( V 0 #4
1
1
3

d L
atio Clearancer rm N
,ar C
,ar
C
,ar
m T
a a
1
1
]
1

,
_

+
n
a
a
P
P
C C
T P
T P
1
1
#
1
1
1

min 1 24 ! 12
435 ! 0
1(

43!58
0!435
32 ! 0
4
04 ! 0 04 ! 0 1
313 7 013 ! 1
300 7 1 ! 32
3
3 ! 1
1
m Volume 1wet V
V
V
s
s
a

1
1
]
1

,
_

40!4#cm 3 ! 31 3 ! 1
3 ! 31 313 ! 0
300 7 # 7 1!3 7
44 7 12!2
d
300 7 # 7 1!3d 7
4
12!24
1!3d #.> > 7
4
V
compressor acting double for
3
#
#
s

x L
cm m
d
d
2ut
Problem 5
A two:stage compressor compresses 1kg1min of air from 1bar to 4#!12 bar! "nitial
temperature is 1($%! At t'e intermediate pressure t'e intercooling is perfect! /'e
compression takes place according to PV1!3( -%! .eglecting t'e effect of clearance0
determine t'e minimum power re*uired to run t'e compressor! Also find t'e mass of
cooling water re*uired in t'e intercooler 0 if t'e temperature rise of water is limited to
(<%!
kg1s #34 ! 0
50
5 ! 14

kg1min 5 ! 14
300 7 #24 ! 0
1( 7 00 1 7 013 ! 1


a
a a
RT
T P
m
6 43#!4
32 ! 0
4
313
3 ! 1
1 3 ! 1
1
1
#
1 #

,
_

,
_

n
n
P
P
T T
( )
1 #
mR 7
1
n
Power T T
n

,
_

( )
kW or k;1s 5(!4
313 41 ! 43# 0!#24 7 0!#34 7
1 3 ! 1
1!3
Power

,
_

8 43 100
5(!4
(1!3#
efficiency
3# ! (1
32 ! 0
4
313 #24 ! 0 #34 ! 0
Power "sot'ermal
1
#
1
1
#
1 1



x !sot"ermal
kW Ln x x
P
P
Ln mRT
P
P
Ln V P
3
,ar
4or
,ar C ,ar P
s k/ k/ M
n
n
4 ! 454
1
5!43
22 #
P
P
/ /
42 ! 5 174#!12 P P P
ng intercooli perfect
12 ! 4# P 1( / 1
1 0155 ! 0
50
1
min 1 1
3( ! 1
1 3( ! 1
1
1
#
1 #
3 1 #
3 1 1

,
_

,
_

Problem 6
A two stage reciprocating compressor deli&ers 1(0 m31'r of free air measured at 1!03 bar
and1($%! /'e final pressure 12bar! /'e pressure and temperature of t'e air in >P cylinder
before compression is 1 bar and 30<%! t'e diameter of t'e >P cylinder is twice t'at of ?P
cylinder and air enters t'e ?P cylinder at 40$%! "f compression follows t'e law
PV1!##-%0 determine
+i, "ntermediate pressure and power re*uired if t'e intercooler is imperfect!
+ii, Ration of cylinder diameter and minimum power re*uired for perfect intercooling!
( )
1 #
mR 7
1
n
Power a7imum T T
n

,
_

( )
( )
( )
#!33k;1@ec
#22 4 ! 454 00( ! 1 0155 ! 0
m% A r intercoole in t'e reBected ?eat
kW or k;1s 5!5
#22 4 ! 454 0!#24 7 0!0155 7
1 3( ! 1
#71!3(

1 # p

,
_

x
T T
sec 1 143# ! 0 m
( 7 124 ! 4 m #33
rise re temperatu m also is A
k/
x
x xC 2ut

clearance of effect
40 /
12 P 30 /
1 P 03 ! 1 P
min 1 1(0 V 0 1(
#
1
1
3
3
a
t"e Ne/let
C
,ar C
,ar ,ar
m C T
a a




,ar ressure n/ !ntercooli
x P
d
d
P
P
xL xd
xL xd
V
V
P
P
V P V P
d
i
x
5P
LP
5P
LP
5P
4#5 ! ( P
, # + 1
4 1
4 1
# d
ng intercooli "mperfect , +
#
44 ! #
#
## ! 1 #
1
#
## ! 1
#
#
## ! 1
#
1
1
#
## ! 1
# #
## ! 1
1 1
>P

,
_

,
_

,
_

Problem 7
A multi stage compressor compressing air is to be designed to ele&ate t'e pressure from
1 bar to 1#0bar suc' t'at t'e stage pressure ratio s'ould not e7ceed 4! Cetermine
+i, /'e number of stages
+ii, E7act stage pressure ratio
+iii, "ntermediate pressure
@olution=
1
1
1
]
1

,
_

1
1
sec 1 0!04(m
#22 10 1
303 0#315 ! 0 10 03 ! 1
1
1
#
1 1
3
#
#
1
1
1
1
1 1
n
n
LP
a
a a
a
a a
P
P
V P
n
n
W
x x
x x x
P T
T V P
V
T
V P
T
V P
sec 1 0!002(54m
303 10 4#5 ! (
313 04( ! 0 10 1
40 / at cylinder ?P enters Air
kW 2!23
1
1
4#5 ! (
04( ! 0 10 1
1 ## ! 1
## ! 1
3
#
#
# 1
# 1 1
#
1
1 1
#
# #
#
## ! 1
1 ## ! 1
#

1
1
1
]
1

,
_

x x
x x x
P T
T V P
V
T
V P
T
V P
C
x x W
LP
1
1
1
]
1

,
_

1
1
1
#
3
# #
n
n
5P
P
P
V P
n
n
W
kW 1(!01
5!1# 2!23 Power /otal
kW 1# ! 5
1
4#5 ! (
12
002(54 ! 0 10 4#5 ! (
1 ## ! 1
## ! 1 ## ! 1
1 ## ! 1
#

1
1
1
]
1

,
_

x x W
5P
Problem 8
A two:stage compressor deli&ers air at pressure of 13 bar! /'e free air conditions are
1!03 bar and #($%! /'e pressure of t'e air before compression is 0!32bar! /'e
intermediate pressure is 4!(bar! /'e temperature of t'e air entering eac' cylinder is 3(<%!
/'e law of compression and e7pansion being PV1!#( -%! /'e clearance &olume is (8 of
t'e swept &olume! Cetermine t'e &olumetric efficiency and t'e work done per kg of air!
1#0 P 1 P
1 .
1
,ar ,ar
+
N
N
1ta/e
1
1
1
1 .
.
1 .
.
1 .
3
4
#
3
1
#
1
#
1
1#0
4
P
P
P
P
'a&e perfect we be to ng intercooli t'e Assuming
4
P
P

P
P

P
P

P
P

P
P
ratio pressure

,
_

,
_

+ +
+
( )
,ar
,ar
Ln
Ln
N
3( ! 10
31 ! 3
#( ! 35
P 0 31 ! 3
P
P
#( ! 35
310 ! 3
1#0
P 0 31 ! 3
P
P
31 ! 3 1#0
P
P
ratio pressure stage E7act
4 stages of .umber
4(3 ! 3
4
1#0
3
3
4
4
4
(
4
1
.
1 .





+
bar 3!302 and
bar 10!3( bar0 35!#( are pressure t "ntermedia
302 ! 3
31 ! 3
3( ! 10
P 0 31 ! 3
P
P
#
#
3

,ar
0!0( %
13 P 3( /
32 ! 0 P 1 P
( ! 4 P 0 #(
3
a
#
1
1

ratio Clearance
,ar C
,ar ,ar
,ar C T
a
Problem 9
A two:stage double acting air compressor takes in air at 1 bar and #(<%! "t runs at #00
rpm! /'e diameter of >P cylinder is 3(cm! /'e stroke of bot' >P and ?P cylinders are
40cm! /'e clearance &olume of bot' t'e cylinders is 48! /'e inde7 of compression is
1!3! /'e >P cylinder disc'arges air at a pressure of 4 bar! /'e air passes t'roug' t'e
intercooler so t'at it enters t'e ?P cylinder at #4<% and 3!5 bar0 finally it is disc'arged
from t'e compressor at 14!4 bar!
1
1
1
]
1

,
_

+
n
a
a
P
P
C C
T P
T P
1
1
#
1
1
1

8 ( ! 3 2
0!23(
32 ! 0
( ! 4
0( ! 0 0( ! 0 1
302 7 1
#32 7 1 ! 32 #( ! 1
1

1
1
1
]
1

,
_

3 1 #
P since cylinder bot'
in saem not is work same0 is cylinder eac'
entering air of
P P
e temeratur t"e t"rou/" 6ven

3
n
n
1 ! 415
0!32
4!(
302
P
P
/ /
#( ! 1
1 #( ! 1
1
1
#
1 #

,
_

,
_

( ) ( )
C
x T T R
n
n
W
LP

3( / cylinder ?P entering air of e /emperatur

k;1kg 1((!1#
302 1 ! 415 #24 ! 0
1 #( ! 1
#( ! 1
1
(
1 #
3
n
n
2# ! 410
4!(
13
302
P
P
/ /
#( ! 1
1 #( ! 1
1
(
5
( 5

,
_

,
_

( ) ( )
air of g 30#!4(k;1k
144!(( 1((!1# work /otal
g 144!((k;1k
302 2# ! 410 #24 ! 0
1 #( ! 1
#( ! 1
1
( 5

T T R
n
n
W
5P
%alculate
+i, Ciameter of ?P cylinder
+ii, /'e 'eat reBected in t'e intercooler
+iii, /'e power re*uired to dri&e t'e ?P cylinder
n
P
P
C C
condition suction t"e to referred effiency Volumatric
1
1
#
1
1

,
_

kg1s 0!30423
#32 #24 ! 0
#5041 ! 0 10 1
/
V P
m
1 #5041 ! 0 #2## ! 0 3#32 ! 0 V
1 condition to referred
#
1
1 1
3
1

x
x x
R
air of Mass
1 m x
air of Volume
3
n
n
34 ! 410
1
4
#32
P
P
/ /
3 ! 1
1 3 ! 1
1
1
#
1 #

,
_

,
_

( ) ( )
34!14k;1s
#32 34 ! 410 00( ! 1 30423 ! 0
r intercoole in t'e reBected
1 #

x T T mC
5eat

Pressure ratio in >P cylinder - 4

Pressure ratio in ?P cylinder -14!413!5-4
@ince t'e pressure ratio and clearance percentage in bot' ?P and >P cylinders are t'e
same0 t'e &olumetric efficiency of t'e cylinders referred to t'e condition at t'e start of
compression is same!
Problem 10
A two stage air compressor compresses air from 14
0
% and 1 bar to 53 bar! /'e air is
cooled in t'e intercooler to 30
0
% and intermediate pressure is steady at 4!4 bar! /'e
low pressure cylinder is 10 cm diameter and t'e stroke for bot' cylinders is 11!#( cm!
Assuming a compression law of PV
1!3(
- constant0 and t'at t'e &olume of air at
s m 1 04#4 ! 0
3!5710
#247#32 0!3042370!
P
mR/
V
cylinder ?P to draw air of Volume
3
#
(
(
(

s 1 m 0!04234
3#32 ! 0
0!04#4 V
cylinder ?P of me @wept &olu
3
(

# 5
#
#
/ / same is ratio pressure @ince
cm 13!34
1334 ! 0
50
#00 #
4 ! 0
4
4234 ! 0
50
#00 #
4

m
x
x x 7
x
x xL 7
5P
5P
5P
cylinder ?P for re*uired Power
( )
( )
( )
kW 4#!(2
#32 34 ! 410 #24 0!3042370! 7
1 3 ! 1
1!3

mR 7
1
n

mR 7
1
n

1 #
( 5

,
_

,
_

,
_

T T
n
T T
n
atmosp'eric conditions drawn in per stroke is e*ual to t'e low pressure cylinder
swept &olume0 find t'e power of t'e compressor w'ile running at #(0 rpm! )ind also
t'e diameter of ?P cylinder!
@olution=
d
>P
- 10cm > - 11!#(cm
P
1
- 1 bar P
#
- 4!4 bar /
1
- 14
0
%
P
3
- 53 bar
Volume of >P cylinder
V
1
- 14 D 0!1
#
D 0!11#( - 0!00022 m
3
m - P
1
V
1
1R /
1
- +1 D 100 D 0!00022,1+0!#24 D #30, - 0!00105 kg
/
#
- 30
0
%
Volume of air entering t'e ?P cylinder
V
#
- mR /
#
1 P
#
- +0!00105 D 0!#23 D 303,1 +4!4 D 10
#
, - 0!0001132 m
3
V
#
- 14 D d
#
#
D >
0!0001132 - 14 D d
#
#
D 0!11#(
d
#

- diameter of ?P cylinder
- 0!0352 m
Ciameter of ?P cylinder - 3!52 cm
Work re*uired1cycle - +n1n:1,[ P
1
V
1
{+ P
#
1 P
1
,
n:11n
E 1}F P
#
V
#
+ P
3
1 P
#
,
n:11n
E 1 ]
W - +1!3(11!3(:1, [ 1 D 10
#
D 0!00022 {+4!411,
1!3(:111!3(
: 1} F 4!4 D 10
#
D 0!0001132
{+5314!4,
1!3(:111!3(
: 1}]
- 0!434(5 k;1cycle
Power - 0!434(5 D .umber of cycles1sec
- 0!434(5 D #(0150
Power - #!05 kW
Problem 11
A t'ree stage air compressor draws 2 m
3
1min of air at 1 bar and 12
0
% and deli&ers t'e
same at (( bar and #0
0
%! /'e inde7 of compression is 1!3#! /'e air w'ile passing t'roug'
t'e intercoolers and aftercoolers suffers a pressure loss of 48 and is cooled to t'e intial
temperature! Cetermine t'e s'aft power re*uired to dri&e t'e compressor if mec'anical
efficiency is 2(8!
@olution=
V
1
- 2 m
3
1min - 2150 - 0!133 m
3
1sec
P
1
- 1 bar /
1
- 12
0
% P
4
- (( bar
/'e pressure drop of 48 in t'e intercooler is accounted for by t'e factor % - 0!35
)or 3 stage compressor0
Power - 3+n1n:1, D P
1
V
1
[{P
4
1%
3
P
1
}
n:113n
: 1]
- 3 +1!3#11!3#:1, D 1 D 10
#
D 0!133 [{((10!35
3
D 1}
1!3#:111!3#
: 1]
- #23!kW
Actual s'aft power re*uired - Power1
mec'
- #23!3#10!2( - 333.32kW