Compressor Basics

As with pumps, dh=vdP. However, v is no longer a

constant, making calculation of h2-h1 more
complicated.

For a polytropic process, Pvn=C

( p)
1
2 2 n
h2 − h1 = ∫ vdP = ∫ C dP (1)
1 1

For an isentropic process, n=k (where k=cp/cv), and

for an isothermal process, n=1.

Compressor Efficiency

The adiabatic compressor efficiency:

ηa =
Wisentropic
=
( h2 − h1 ) s (2)
Wactual ( h2 − h1 )actual

Total compressor efficiency:
ηcompressor = ηaηmotor driveηmechanical (3)

Typical efficiencies are 90% for the motor drive at
peak load, 90% for the mechanical efficiency, and
76% to 97% for the adiabatic efficiency.

Typically, as the compressor size increases, so does
the adiabatic efficiency.

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Exit temperature

A maximum recommended fluid temperature is given based on
compressor and fluid type.

Air compressors typically shouldn’t have an air exit temperature
greater than 300-375ºF to prevent carbonizing, combustion of oil
vapor, or weakening of parts over time.

Air can be modeled as a perfect gas where

Pv = RT / M and R c p − cv =
M

These can be substituted into Equ. (1), and using Equ. (2) or (3)
as well, the exit air temperature T2 can be found as a function of
pressure ratio r, n, k, and efficiency.

Once T2 is known, the compressor work can be found using

Wactual = h2 − h1 = mc p (T2 − T1 )

Decreasing Compressor Work

Two possible methods
– Minimize irreversibilities due to friction, turbulence, and non-quasi-
equilibrium compression
– Make the specific volume of the gas as low as possible by cooling
the compressor since
2
Wcompressor = h2 − h1 = ∫ vdP

One cooling possibility is to use multi-stage
1 compression with
intercooling.

From Cengel, Thermodynamics: An Engineering Approach, 4th ed.

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Compressors

Five most common types
– Reciprocating
• Uses a piston-cylinder and valves
• Most common type of compressor
– Screw
• Lobes of two rotating screws trap and compress gas
– Centrifugal
• Uses centrifugal force to compress gas
• Common in large refrigeration systems (200 to 10000 kW of
refrigeration capacity)
– Vane
• Uses a roller to compress gas
• Used in most domestic refrigeration and ac systems
– Scroll
• Two inter-fitting spiral-shaped scrolls compress the gas
• Used in 1-15 ton (3.5 to 53 kW) range ac applications

Compressor pressure ranges

From Burmeister, Elements of Thermal-Fluid Design.

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Terminology

Open-type compressor
– Crankshaft extends through housing to connect with the
motor
– Seals are used to limit leakage

Hermetically sealed
– Motor and compressor are combined in the same housing
– Used for small domestic air conditioning systems

Semi-hermetic
– Cylinder heads are removable for serviceability. Good for –c
systems larger than domestic.

Condensing unit
– Motor, compressor, and condenser are combined in one unit
and sold together

Reciprocating Compressors

Gas in the clearance volume must expand to V1 before the

pressure is low enough to open the suction valves and draw
more gas in.
Stoecker and Jones, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, 2nd ed, Mc-Graw Hill.

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Reciprocating Compressors, cont.

Actual volumetric efficiency

ηva =
( s ) x100
volume flow rate entering compressor m
3

displacement rate of compressor ( m )

3

Clearance volumetric efficiency

volume of gas drawn into cylinder V −V
ηva = x100 = 3 1 x100
useable volume of cylinder V3 − Vc

– The clearance volumetric efficiency tells us what percent of

the clearance volume is used to bring new gas in.

Percent clearance
Vc
m= x100
V3 − Vc

Reciprocating Compressors, cont.

After some algebra
V 
ηvc = 100 − m  1 − 1
 Vc 
where
V1 vsuc
=
Vc vdis
vsuc=specific volume of vapor entering compressor
vdis=specific volume of vapor after isentropic
compression

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Reciprocating Compressors, cont.

To find mass flow rate (kg/s)

ηvc 100
m = displacement rate x
vsuc

The displacement rate is a volumetric flow rate; vsuc

converts that to a mass flow rate

As the suction pressure (and evaporating
temperature) drops, what happens to the mass flow
rate?

What does this tell us about running a room air
conditioner during the winter?

Reciprocating Compressors for refrigeration

Stoecker and Jones, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, 2nd ed, Mc-Graw Hill.

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 Reciprocating Compressors for Refrigeration

Most refrigeration
systems operate on
the left side of the
power curve.

During startup, the
power requirement
may pass the peak
and demand more
motor power.

Stoecker and Jones, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, 2nd ed, Mc-Graw Hill.

Reciprocating Compressors, cont.

Adiabatic compression efficiency (use this to find the actual
enthalpy at the compressor exit)
wisentropic
ηa = x100
wactual

Losses are due mainly to friction of rubbing surfaces and
pressure drop across valves

Watch your exit conditions. If the exit temperature is too hot, the
oil will break down and reduce the life of your valves. The
maximum recommended oil temperature varies with the oil type.

This can be a problem especially with ammonia, which tends to
have high discharge temperatures. Ammonia compressors often
are equipped with external water cooling.

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Reciprocating Compressor Variation

The rate at which a compressed vapor is produced
by a given compressor can be varied in two ways.
– Compressor speed can be varied (pistons RPM increases or
decreases)
– Compressor can be “unloaded” (see Burmeister pg 165 for
details). Examples of how this is done include
• Holding open inlet valves to no vapor is compressed
• Varying the clearance volume by using actuators to open
some extra piston chambers

Rotary Screw Compressors

Good efficiency (60-80%) for pressure ratios above approx. 2.5.

Stoecker and Jones, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, 2nd ed, Mc-Graw Hill.

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Vane Compressors

No suction valve needed. Minimum gas pulsation

Stoecker and Jones, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, 2nd ed, Mc-Graw Hill.

Vane Compressors, cont.

May be single-vane (roller) type or multiple-vane

For the roller type, displacement rate D

π 2
D=
4
( A − B 2 ) L ( rotative speed ) m3 / s

Where A=cylinder diameter, B=roller

diameter,L=cylinder length (all in m), and the rotative
speed is in revolutions per second.
Stoecker and Jones, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, 2nd ed, Mc-Graw Hill.

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Dynamic Compressors -- Centrifugal

Commonly used for large systems, including chillers

Gas enters a spinning impeller and is thrown to the
outside of the impeller through centrifugal force

Impeller provides the gas with a high velocity (kinetic
energy) which is converted to pressure (internal
energy); remember Bernoulli’s Law!

70-80% isentropic efficiencies

Axial compressors are a somewhat less common
form of dynamic compressors

Centrifugal Compressor Performance

Stoecker and Jones, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, 2nd ed, Mc-Graw Hill.

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Surging

To the left of the surge envelope line, the compressor capacity
decreases significantly due to flow separation on the blades and
the characteristics of the backward-curved blades used. If used
for refrigeration, this can cause problems.
– At point C, capacity drops, but the evaporator heat load continues
to boil off refrigerant. This increases the evaporator pressure
(decreasing the pressure ratio), and moves us back to point A.
Then the process continues, which is called surging.
– Surging causes noise, load fluctuations on the motor and
compressor, and reliability problems over the long term.

Stoecker and Jones, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, 2nd ed, Mc-Graw Hill.

Scroll Compressors

Need close machining
tolerances

Low noise, high efficiency

Incompatible with solid
contaminants and poor
performance at low
suction pressures

From McQuiston, Parker, and Spitler, Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning Analysis and Design

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Assignment

Put together an EES code for a reciprocating compressor with
70% isentropic (adiabatic) efficiency, a displacement rate of 100
L/s, and five percent clearance. .

Use P1=130 kPa and P2=800 kPa and R134a.

Use 5ºC superheating for the gas entering the compressor (the
suction gas). This means that Tinlet=Tsaturation+5
– On EES, use a format similar to the one shown below to find your
suction temperature T1. Then use T1 and P1 to find h1 and vsuc.
T1=Tsat+5
Tsat=Temperature(R134a, x=0.5, P=P1)
Here we could have use any quality from 0 to 1 in the Tsat call
statement; as long as we have a liquid/vapor mixture, the
resulting temperature will be the saturation temperature.

Solve for the exit enthalpy, compressor power, and refrigerant
mass flow rate.

Turn in your EES code along with the solution.

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