Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Reciprocating
Compressors
Structure
8.1
Introduction
Objectives
8.2
8.3
Compression Process
8.4
8.5
Efficiency of a Compressor
8.6
8.7
8.8
8.9
8.10 Intercooling
8.11 Minimum Work in Two Stage Compression with Intercooling
8.12 Summary
8.13 Key Words
8.14 Answers to SAQs
8.1 INTRODUCTION
The function of a compressor is to take a definite quality of fluid (usually gas, moist
often air and deliver it at a required pressure). Compression of gases is an important
process in many power plants, refrigeration plants and industrial plants. Industrial uses
of gas compression occur in connection with pneumatic tools, air brakes for vehicles,
servo-mechanisms, metallurgical and chemical processes, conveying of materials
through ducts, production of bottled gases, and transportation of natural gas. The term
gas compression applies only to processes involving appreciable change of gas density;
this excludes ordinary ventilation and furnace draft processes.
The machinery used in gas compression may be turbine type, such as centrifugal and
axial flow machines; or positive displacement type, such as reciprocating machines,
meshing rotor or gear machine and vane-sealed machines. In so far as it operates under
steady flow conditions, any of these types of machine may have its energy analysis
written in the form of the steady flow energy equation. In this unit, some general
deductions will be made on this basis. A more detailed study will be made of the
reciprocating compressor, but not of the other machines.
Objectives
After studying this unit, you should be able to
119
Applied Thermal
Engineering
Single-acting
Double-acting
Mechanical Efficiency
Volumetric Efficiency
vol
Brake work
which gives an indication of the
Indicated work
losses occurring between the piston and driving
shaft.
120
Reciprocating
Compressors
T
P2
P
2T
2n
P2
P1
Pv = C
T=C
2n
Pvn= C
2T
1
( >n>1)
P1
Compressor
1
Flow
Q Wx = h = h2 h1
we also have the relation Tds = dh
Q = h
. . . (8.1)
vdp
. . . (8.2)
vdp
Then for any of the idealized cases of Figure 8.1 from Eqs. (8.1) and (8.2)
Wx =
. . . (8.3)
vdp
For any gas a compression process may be represented with sufficient accuracy by an
equation such as pvn = constant.
1
p1n
. v1
Then
v=
and
Wx = p1n . v1
1
pn
1
p1n
. v1
dp
1
pn
1
1
1
n
[ p2 n
n 1
n
p2 n
=
p1 v1
1
n 1
p
1
p1 n
121
Applied Thermal
Engineering
The work of compression or the steady flow work input to the gas, is the negative of the
shaft work Wx.
Therefore, Wn = Work of reversible polytropic compression
n 1
n
p2 n
=
p1 v1
1
n 1
p
1
. . . (8.4)
=
1
p1 v1
1
p
1
. . . (8.5)
Wt = Wx = p1 v1
p
dp
= p1 v1 ln 2
p
p1
. . . (8.6)
In the p-v plot of Figure 8.1, the work of compression for each type of process is
represented by the area between the path of that process and the axis of pressure. It is
evident that the work of reversible isothermal compression is less than the work of
reversible adiabatic compression; the work of reversible polytropic compression is
intermediate between the others if n lies between and unity. This is the case in reality
as the polytropic case will involve some cooling but not enough to obtain isothermal
compression. In a real compressor the work will be greater than the work of the
reversible compression process because of friction. In such cases the path of
compression may be represented by pvn = constant, but the work of compression is not
given by vdp; the shaft work cannot be determined solely from the properties of the
fluid. The friction effects in a reciprocating compressor are often small so that the work
may be computed by the integral of vdp without gear error.
SAQ 1
Tests on reciprocating air compressors with water cooled cylinders show that it is
practical to cool the air sufficiently during compression to correspond to a
polytropic exponent n in the vicinity of 1.3. Compare the work per kg of air
compressed from 100 kPa, 40oC to 600 kPa according to three processes :
reversible adiabatic, reversible isothermal and reversible pv1.3 = constant. Find the
heat transferred from air in each case.
c =
122
h2 s h1 w
=
wc
wc
. . . (8.7)
where wc = Shaft work supplied to the actual compressor per kg of gas passing through.
Reciprocating
Compressors
wt
wc
. . . (8.8)
h2 s h1
h2 h1
. . . (8.9)
As against this, Eq. (8.7) gives the adiabatic efficiency of any machine.
SAQ 2
For the conditions given in SAQ 1, find the adiabatic efficiency and the isothermal
efficiency of the reversible polytropic compressor.
b
P2
V1
a
Cylinder volume
(PD)
Clearance volume
= CL(PD)
P1
Piston displacement
123
Applied Thermal
Engineering
Compression
Starting at maximum cylinder volume, point a, slightly below the inlet pressure p,
as the volume decreases the pressure rises until it reaches p2 at b; the discharge
valve does not open until the pressure in the cylinder exceeds p2 by enough to
overcome the valve spring force.
Discharge
Between b and c gas flows out a pressure higher than p2 by the amount of the
pressure loss through the valves; at C, the point of minimum volume, the discharge
valve is closed by its spring.
Expansion
From c to d, as the volume increases, the gas remaining in the clearance volume
expands and its pressure falls; the suction valve does not open until the pressure
falls sufficiently below p1 to overcome the sprig force.
Intake
Between d and a gas flows into the cylinder at a pressure lower than p1 by the
amount of pressure loss through the valve.
The total area of the diagram represents the actual work of the compressor on the gas.
The cross-hatched areas of the diagram above p2 and below p1 represent work done
solely because of pressure drop through the valves and port passages. This work is called
the valve loss.
P
c
b
P2
Pvn=c
Pvn=c
Cylinder volume
P1
The idealized machine to which an actual machine is compared has an indicator diagram
like Figure 8.4, in which there are no pressure loss effects, and the processes a b and c
d are reversible polytropic processes. Assuming no state change in the intake d a and
discharge b c processes, and assuming equal values of the exponent n in the
compression a b and expansion processes c d, the ideal work of compression can be
found by taking the integral of pdv around the diagram. In mf is the mass of fluid taken in
and discharged per machine cycle, then the total work interaction per cycle is
w = wa b + wb c + wc d + wd
124
pb vb pa va
p v pc vc
+ p2 (vc vb ) + d d
+ p1 (va vd )
1 n
1 n
p2 (vb vc )
p (v va )
p2 (vb vc ) + 1 d
p1 (vd va )
1 n
1 n
n
[ p2 (vb vc ) + p1 (vd va )]
1 n
Reciprocating
Compressors
n
[ p2 m f v2 p1 m f v1 ]
1 n
= mf
n
[ p2 v2 p1 v1 ]
1 n
= mf
p v
n
p1 v1 2 2 1
1 n
p1 v1
n 1
n
n 1
p2 n
1
p
1
Thus, we see that the work per kg of fluid flow is the same as obtained from the steady
flow analysis (Eq. 8.4)). It is therefore unnecessary to make any further analysis of the
work of the idealized reciprocating compressor since all desired results have already
been obtained by the steady flow analysis.
m f . v1
( PD )
. . . (8.10)
where mf is the mass of fluid flow per machine cycle and (PD) is the piston displacement
volume per machine cycle.
The true volumetric efficiency can be determined only by measuring the flow through
the machine. An approximate or apparent volumetric efficiency may be obtained from
the indicator diagram shown in Figure 8.3. Here, the volume V1 is the volume between
the point where the cylinder pressure reaches p1 during the expansion process and the
point where it reaches p1 during the compression process. If the gas remained at constant
temperature during the intake process, the volume V1 would be the actual volume taken
V
in at state 1; then the ratio 1 would be the volumetric efficiency. In an actual
PD
compressor, because of heat transfer from the cylinder walls, the gas is at higher
temperature after entering the cylinder than at state 1. Consequently the volume V1 is
V
greater than the volume taken in from the supply line, and the ratio 1 is larger than
PD
the true volumetric efficiency; hence, the name apparent volumetric efficiency.
125
Applied Thermal
Engineering
vol =
m f . v1
( PD)
PD = Vc Va
Clearance
cl =
Va
( PD)
mf =
Vc Vd
v1
and
Vc = (1 + cl ) PD
Also
Vd = Va
vd
(mass being constant)
va
= cl ( PD)
Therefore,
Therefore,
mf =
vol
( PD )
v1
v1
v2
v1
1 cl 1
v2
p2 n
=
= 1 cl 1
( PD )
p
1
m f v1
. . . (8.11)
P2
P1
= 1.0
1/n
=C
( PP )
2
1
nv
P2
P1
0
0
CL
p n
Since 2 is always greater than unity, it is evident that the volumetric efficiency of
p1
the idealized compressor decreases as the clearance increases and as the pressure ratio
increases.
SAQ 3
A reciprocating air compressor operates between 100 kPa and 500 kPa with a
polytropic exponent of 1.3. How much clearance would have to be provided in the
ideal case, to make the volumetric efficiency 50 percent? To make it zero?
126
Reciprocating
Compressors
Example 8.1
An air compressor cylinder has 15 cm bore and 15 cm stroke and 5% clearance.
The machine operates between 100 kPa, 27oC and 500 kPa. The polytropic
exponent is 1.3.
(a)
(ii)
(iii)
(b)
(c)
(d)
Solution
Referring to Figure 8.6
P
c
a
d
V
Data given :
Bore = 15 cm
Stroke = 15 cm
Clearance = 5%
(i)
152 15
5
+
4 (100) 2 100 100
= 26.5 10 4 +
2
15
15
100
100
5
26.5 10 4
100
= 27.83 10 4 m3
To Find Vb
a b is a polytropic process with n = 1.3.
p1 Van = p2 Vbn
1
Va p2
5
300 10
Therefore, Vb = Va 0.324 = 27.83 10 4 0.324
= 9.03 10 4 m3
127
Applied Thermal
Engineering
To Find Vc
Vc = clearance volume = 5% of stroke volume
= 0.05 26.5 10 4
= 1.325 10 4 m3
To Find Vd
p2 vcn = p1 vdn
1
1
Vd p2 n 500 103 n
1.3
= =
= (5) = 3.46
100 103
Vc p1
Va Vd
v1
Therefore,
v1 =
(a)
23.26 10 4
= 26.4 10 4 kg
0.861
(b)
(c)
Va Vd
Va Vc
23.26 10 4
26.4 10 4
100 = 87.8%
n 1
n
p2 n
0.3
1.3
3
1.3
=
100 10 0.861 [5 1]
1.3 1
= 4.34 0.861 105 [1.447 1]
= 4.34 0.861 105 0.447
128
Reciprocating
Compressors
= 440.9 Nm
Mean effective pressure =
(d)
440.9
26.4 10
Q = h wx = c p T wx
T2 p2
=
T1 p1
n 1
n
0.3
Therefore,
84.9
= 0.19
440.9
Example 8.2
A refrigeration compressor has two single acting cylinders of 7.5 cm bore and
7.5 cm stroke and works as a single stage compressor. The clearance is 4% of
piston displacement. Ammonia vapour at 10oC with a degree of superheat of
5oC, is compressed to a pressure having saturation temperature of 30oC and to a
temperature of 105oC. Assuming heat transferred from the compressor to be
25 kJ/kg and the actual volumetric efficiency equal to 85% of the volumetric
efficiency based on the idealized indicator diagram, calculate the following :
(a)
(b)
Properties of Ammonia
p (N/m2)
t (oC)
vg (m3/kg)
hg (kJ/kg)
15
0.5
1442.8
30
0.11
1465.1
2.28 10
11.3 10
Solution
Bore = 7.5 cm
Stroke = 7.5 cm
Clearance = 4%
129
Applied Thermal
Engineering
2
P1
2s
303 K
258 K
1
h1 at 10o C = 1422.8 + c p t
= 1422.8 + 2.675 5
= 1436.175 kJ/kg
h2 at 105o C = 1465.1 + c p t
= 1465.1 + 2.675 75
= 1665.7 kJ/kg
wx = 25 h
= 25 (1665.7 1436.175)
= 254.55 kJ/kg
If the compression process was reversible adiabatic
T2 s p2
=
T1 p1
Therefore,
0.3
T2 s = 381 K = 108o C
h2 s = 1465.1 + 2.675 78
= 1673.75 kJ/kg
237.58
= 0.93 = 93%
254.55
(b)
Reciprocating
Compressors
PD =
7.5 7.5
4 100 100
56 75 10 6 = 3.3 10 4 m3
4
Vc = 0.04 ( PD ) = 0.132 10 4 m3
To Find Vd
During the process c d, mc = md
Therefore,
Vc Vd
=
vc vd
0.11
378 = 0.138 m3 /kg
303
Vd =
Therefore,
Vc
0.132 10 4
. vd =
0.5 = 0.486 10 4 m3 /kg
vc
0.138
vol =
Va Vd 3.432 10 4 0.486 10 4
=
PD
3.3 10 4
2.946
= 0.893
3.3
= 2.5 10 4 960
= 2.5 10 4 m3 / min
131
Applied Thermal
Engineering
Example 8.3
An air compressor has a volumetric efficiency of 70% when tested, the discharge
state being 500 kPa, 150oC and the inlet state 100 kPa, 15oC. If the clearance is
4%, predict the new volumetric efficiency when the discharge pressure is
increased to 700 kPa. Assume that the ratio of real to ideal volumetric efficiency
and the exponent n remain constant.
Solution
vol .actual = 0.7
p1 = 100 103 N/m 2
p2 = 500 103 N/m 2
t1 = 15o C = 288 K
t2 = 150o C = 423 K
p2 T2 n 1
=
p1 T1
5 105
Therefore,
423 n 1
=
5
1 10
288
or,
n
=
n 1
ln 5
1.61
=
423 0.147
ln
288
p2 n
= 1 0.04 [(5)1.09 1]
= 1 0.04 [4.37 1]
= 0.865
Actual vol
0.7
=
= constant for this compressor
vol ideal
0.865
p2 n
132
= 1 0.04
1
100 103
Reciprocating
Compressors
= 1 0.04 [5.95 1]
= 0.802
Therefore, new volumetric efficiency =
0.7
0.802 = 0.65 .
0.865
P2 c
P2 b
P2 a
PVn = c
V 1b
V 1a
(P D)
C L (P D)
The maximum pressure ratio attainable with a reciprocating compressor cylinder is then
seen to be limited by the clearance. There are practical and economic limits to the
reduction of clearance; when these limits interfere with the attainment of the desired
discharge pressure, it is necessary to use multistage compression. In a multistage
compressor the gas is passed in series through two or more compressors, or stages, each
of which operates on a small pressure ratio. Disregarding pressure losses between stages,
the overall pressure ratio is the product of the pressure ratios of the stages.
Figure 8.9 shows the comperative idealized indicator diagrams for compression of a gas
from p1 to p2 by a two stage machine or by a single stage machine of the same piston
displacement and clearance as the first stage of the two stage machine.
The single stage machine compresses gas from a1 to b2, discharge at p2 from to c,
expands from c to d, and take in gas from d1 to a1. Thus, the capacity per machine cycle
is Va1 Vd.
The first stage of the two stage machine compresses gas from a1 to b1, discharge at px
from b1 to c1, expands from c1 to d1, and takes in gas at p1 from d1 to a1. The capacity per
machine cycle is Va1 Vd1, which is appreciably larger than the capacity of the single
stage machine.
The second stage taken in gas from d1 to a2 (which coincide with c1 b1), compresses
from a1 to b2, discharges at p2 from b2 to c2, and expands from c2 to d2. The flow capacity
of the two stage machine is the capacity of the first stage, since all the gas is taken in by
the first stage.
133
Applied Thermal
Engineering
SECOND
STAGE
C2 C b2
P2
PVn = C
RECEIVER
d2
c1
x
FIRST
STAGE
d1
a2
b1
PX
a1
a1
P1
1
CL (P D)2
(P D)2
CL (P D)1
(P D)1
TWO STAGE
FLOW DIAGRAM
The two stage compressor has greater capacity than the single stage compressor of the
p
same clearance, at the same pressure ratio 2 . This advantage is greater at larger
p1
pressure ratios, and at sufficiently large pressure ratios the single stage compressor
becomes uneconomical because of low volumetric efficiency.
SAQ 4
A gas is to be compressed from 30 kPa to 500 kPa. It is known that cooling
corresponding to a polytropic exponent of 1.25 is practical and the clearance of
the available compressor is 3 percent. Compare the volumetric efficiencies to be
anticipated for
(i)
(ii)
8.10 INTERCOOLING
The advantage of multistage compression in itself is primarily that of increased flow
capacity or volumetric efficiency for a given pressure ratio. Multistage compression also
enables appreciable saving of work if cooling of the gas between stages is resorted to.
The cooling is usually done by a water cooled tubular heat exchanger which also serves
as a receiver between the stages.
134
The work saved by intercooling in the idealized two stage reciprocating compressor is
illustrated on the indicator diagram of Figure 8.10.
Reciprocating
Compressors
2
SECOND
STAGE
y
RECEIVER
COOLING
WATER
x
FIRST
STAGE
1
PX
P1
V
Cooling by cylinder water jackets is never very effective. The compression curve is
always closer to adiabatic than to isothermal. Therefore, the gas discharged from the first
stage at state x is at a higher temperature than the inlet temperature T1; if the gas is then
cooled to state y at temperature T1, the volume entering the second stage will be less than
the volume leaving the first stage. The compression in the second stage will proceed
along a new polytropic curve at smaller volume. The cross-hatched area between the two
polytropic curves in Figure 8.10 represents the work saved by interstage cooling to the
initial temperature. Actual cooling might be to some other temperature, but it is
conventional to discuss cooling to T1.
The saving of work by two stage compression with intercooling will depend upon the
interstage pressure px chosen. Obviously, as px approaches either p1 or p2, the process
approaches single stage compression. Any saving of work must increase from zero to a
maximum and return to zero as px varies from p1 to p2.
Applied Thermal
Engineering
2
SECOND
STAGE
P2
PX
2
INTERCOOLER
2
x
Ty
FIRST
STAGE
P1
S=C
x
T1
1
1
S
Let the adiabatic compression efficiencies of the two-stages be respectively c1 and c2.
The work of compression wc = w1 + w2
1
p x
w1 =
RT1
1
p
c1 1
1
and
p2
1
w2 =
RTy
c 2 1
p y
But
px
p1
and
p
2
py
Therefore,
wc =
Tx
T1
p
= 2
px
R T1
1 c1
T2
Tx
Tx
Ty
1 +
T1
c 2
T2
Tx
Taking the derivative with respect to Tx and setting it equal to zero (noting that T1 , T2
and Ty are constant,
dwc
=0
dTx
R
1
136
1
Ty T2
+
c 2
c1
Then
(Tx )2 =
and
Tx
=
T1
c1
Ty T2
c 2
c1 Ty T21
c 2 T1 T
1
=0
(Tx )
Reciprocating
Compressors
Tx p x
=
T1 p1
T2 p2
=
T1 p1
and
Therefore, for minimum work in two stage compression of a perfect gas with
intercooling to a fixed temperature Ty,
Ty 1 p2
px
= c1
p1
p1
c 2 T1
and
. . . (8.12)
For the special case of Ty = T1 and c1 = c2, which is often taken as standard of
comparison, the requirement for minimum work is
px
=
p1
p2
p1
. . . (8.13)
Also for this special case the condition of minimum work is the condition of equal work
in the two stages.
When three stages of equal efficiency are used, with intercooling to the initial
temperature at two points as shown in Figure 8.12, the condition of minimum work, and
of equal division of work among stages is
px1 p x 2
p
=
= 2 =
p1
p x1
px 2
p2
p1
. . . (8.14)
P2
PX 2
Px 1
2
P1
X2
X1
T1
1
S
Example 8.4
A two stage air compressor is used to compress 10 m3/min of air from 100 kPa to
1400 kPa. What will be the pressure in the intercooler for the special case of
minimum work of compression? If n = 1.3, find the percentage saving in work by
compressing in two stages compared to single stage compression.
Solution
Refer Figure 8.13
Data given : Flow rate = 10 m3/min
137
Applied Thermal
Engineering
P
4
px
=
p1
p2
p1
= 100 103
1400 103
100 103
p2
p1
= 105 14
w1st stage
w2nd stage
n RT1
=
n 1
n 1
p x n
1
p
1
n 1
n RTy p2 n
=
1
n 1 p x
px
p
= 2 or p x =
p1
px
p2 . p1
n 1
p
n
x n
n 1
p
1
n 1
p x n
1
p
1
2.6
106 [(3.74)0.2305 1]
0.3
2.6 106
(1.356 1)
0.3
Reciprocating
Compressors
= 3085 kJ/minute
n 1
p
2 n
1
p
1
1.3
100 103 10 [(14)0.2305 1]
0.3
552
= 15%
3637
Example 8.5
A two stage air compressor is to be designed to compress 6 m3/mn of free air
(air at ambient conditions) at 100 kPa, 27oC to 900 kPa. The cylinders of the
compressor are to be water jacketed and an inter-cooler provided in between the
two stages. From previous experience the following data may be assumed :
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
Determine :
(a)
(b)
Solution
(a)
T3 = 273 + 37 = 310 K
Overall compressor efficiency = 85%.
To find V1 V6 and V3 V5
p1 v1 = RT1
139
Applied Thermal
Engineering
P
4
Isothermal
Corresponding to T3
v1 =
287 300
105
= 0.861 m 2 /kg
V1 V7 = 6 m3/min
vol =
Therefore,
V1 V7 m f . v1
=
= 0.8
V1 V6
( PD)1
6
= 0.8
V1 V6
V1 V6 = ( PD)1
6
= 7.5 m3 /min
0.8
m f . v1 = V1 V7 = 6 m3 /min
Therefore,
6
= 6.84 kg/min
0.861
mf =
0.8 =
6.84 v3
( PD )2
p3 v3 = RT3
p2 = p3 = 9 105 1 105 = 3 105 N/m 2
Therefore,
v3 = 0.30256 m3 /kg
and
(b)
wtotal
( PD )2
6.84 0.30256
= 2.585 m3 /min
0.8
n 1
n
n
p2 n
p1 v1
p3 v3
=
1 +
n 1
p
n
1
n 1
n p2 n
=
1 ( p1 v1 + p3 v3 )
n 1 p1
140
n 1
p4 n
1
p
3
n 1
n p2 n
=
1 m f . R (T1 + T3 )
n 1 p1
Reciprocating
Compressors
0.3
1.3
=
[(3) 1.3 1] (6.84 287 610)
0.3
= 1493.1 kJ/min
Actual work =
Wtotal
1493.1
=
Overall Efficiency
0.85
= 1756.6 lJ/min
= 29.3 kW
Therefore, a 30 kW electric motor should be used.
8.12 SUMMARY
The work required to compress a gas from a given initial state to a given final pressure is
reduced by removing heat from the gas during compression. In actual machines, the
amount of heat which can be transferred during the compression process is limited; so
the ideal process for simulating an actual compression may be a polytropic process with
the polytropic exponent n closer to than to 1. In simple gas turbine plants and in other
applications where immediately after compression the gas is to be heated by means of a
fuel, adiabatic compression is most desirable from the standpoint of overall plant
efficiency, even through the compression work is greater than for compression with
cooling.
For an adiabatic compressor, the compressor efficiency is defined as
c =
In a multistage adiabatic compressor, the efficiency of the entire machine is lower than
that of the individual stages if they have equal efficiencies of less than 100 percent.
If isothermal compression is impossible or impractical, as it usually is, a reduction in the
work required for given pressure limits can be achieved by cooling the gas at constant
pressure between stages. For polytropic compression with the same value of n in each
stage and intercooling to the initial temperature, minimum total work is required when
the pressure ratio is the same for each stage.
The volumetric efficiency of a reciprocating compressor is an important indicator of its
v
flow capacity. It is defined as vol = m f . 1 where mf is the mass of flow per machine
PD
cycle and (PD) is the piston displacement. The volumetric efficiency decreases as the
clearance increases and as the pressure ratio increases.
Minimum work in two stage compression with perfect intercooling will be achieved for
the condition
px
=
p1
p2
p1
Applied Thermal
Engineering
Volumetric Efficiency
Adiabatic Efficiency
Isothermal Efficiency
Multistage Compression
Intercooling
Minimum Work with Intercooling : For minimum work in two stage compression
with intercooling back to the initial
temperature the condition is
wadiabatic
p2
=
RT1
1
1
p
1
1.4 1
1.4
=
287 313
1
0.4
100 10
= 314408.5 [1.67 1]
= 210.65 kJ/kg
142
P
Px
= 2.
P1
P1
wpolytropic
n 1
n
p2 n
=
RT1
1
n 1
p
1
Reciprocating
Compressors
0.3
1.3
=
287 313 [(6) 1.3 1]
0.3
= 389267.6 [1.52 1]
= 202.42 kJ/kg
p2
p1
wisothermal = RT1 ln
Q = cv .
where cv .
Therefore,
n
(T2 T1 )
1 n
n
is called the polytropic specific heat.
1 n
Q = cv .
n
. T1
1 n
n
= cv
. T1
1 n
T2
1
T1
n 1
p
2 n
1
p
1
1.4 1
= 718
313 [1.52 1]
1 1.3
= 299645.33 0.52
= 155.82 kJ/kg
The heat transferred from the air during polytropic compression = 155.82 kJ/kg.
In the isothermal process with a perfect gas the heat transfer is equal to the work;
then the heat transferred from the air is 160.95 kJ/kg.
SAQ 2
For the conditions given in SAQ 1, the shaft work actually supplied to the
compressor per kg of air compressed wc = wn.
c Isothermal =
Adiabatic efficiency, c =
wt 160.95
=
= 0.795
wc 202.42
w
wc
210.65
= 1.04
202.42
143
Applied Thermal
Engineering
SAQ 3
Volumetric efficiency vol
p
2 n
= 1 cl 1
p
1
0.5
= 0.204
2.45
Therefore,
cl =
If
vol = 0 = 1 cl (3.45 1)
cl =
1
= 0.408
2.45
SAQ 4
A reasonable comparison can be made here on the idealized basis even though the
actual volumetric efficiencies may be lower than the ideal.
For the single stage machine
vol
p2 n
= 1 cl 1
p
1
3 1.25
500 10
= 1 0.03
1
30 103
= 0.744
For the two-stage machine, the pressure ratio in each stage is
volumetric efficiency is that of the first stage.
vol = 1
1
1.25
0.03 [(4.09)
= 0.934.
144
1]
500
and the
30