Advanced thermodynamics

Air Compressors
Reciprocating Compressors
Consider a single acting cylinder compressor working under ideal conditions, that is,
no clearance volume,
no valve bounce,
no intake depression

Figure 1 Ideal compression cycle

The work done per cycle can be represented by

Isothermal compression and efficiency

If a compressor were perfectly insulated then the compression would be adiabatic with an index

If the compressor were cooled so that there was no temperature rise, then the compression would
be isothermal with

In practice
but the closer
from the cycle diagram.

is to 1 (one) the less work needs to be done as is obvious

Figure 2 Compression types

For isothermal compression, the work done per cycle

Because isothermal compression requires least work, it is used as a basis of comparison. The
isothermal efficiency of a compressor is defined as

The actual work done is the work done in the cylinders, that is the indicated work and this does
not include the mechanical efficiency.

The effect of clearance volume

All reciprocating compressors will have a clearance volume. The clearance volume is that
volume which remains in the cylinder after the piston has reached the end of its inward stroke.

Figure 3 Compressor volumetric effect

Volumetric Efficiency
The volumetric efficiency referred to intake conditions is defined as,

Usually

Clearance ratio

Usually

Work per cycle single stage compression

Work done per cycle multi stage compression

When calculating,
does not apply to it.

, the isothermal work is a theoretical concept and so clearance volume

F A D Volumetric Efficiency
Free air delivery (F.A.D.) refers to the atmosphere in which the compressor is situated.
However, the actual suction pressure is lower than atmospheric pressure (intake depression) and
the actual temperature is higher in the compressor. If both the free air conditions and the intake
conditions are given, then the volumetric efficiency should be referred to FAD

adjusted to atmospheric conditions

Multistage Reciprocating Compressors

As the delivery pressure of the single stage compressor increases,
The air delivery and hence the mass flow rate decreases
The delivery air temperature increases. This means extra work and possible lubrication
problems
There is a need for heavier working parts

The solution is multistage compressors. The multistage compression achieve lower compression
ratio with inter-cooling at the end of each compression stage.
Multistage compressors are also easier to balance mechanically and have better torque
characteristics.

Figure 4 Three Stage compressor

Ideal compression
The ideal compression is isothermal, and the aim with the multistage compressor is to bring the
temperature in the intercooler back to the intake temperature.
If this is achieved then the inter-cooling is said to be perfect. In the intercooler and in the after
cooler, provision is made for moisture removal.

Figure 5 Work saved from Two stage compression

Minimum work (with perfect inter-cooling) requires that
i.
ii.
iii.

The stage pressure ratios are the same

The work on each stage is the same as a result
And the temperature rise is the same

The work done per cycle for multistage compression

If

represents number of stages of compression