TEST ON RECIPROCATING AIR COMPRESSOR

Ex No. : Date:

Aim :

To conduct performance test on a two stage reciprocating compressor and to

determine the volumetric efficiency.

Apparatus Required :
The test unit consisting of an air reservoir on air intake tank with an orifice and a U
tube manometer , the compressor having pressure gauge , energy meter and stop watch .
Specification :

Compressor
Model : 2 stage reciprocating

Diameter of low pressure piston =...... mm

Diameter of high pressure piston =...... mm

Stoke =...... mm
Speed =...... rpm

Tank Capacity =...... litres

Motor Capacity =...... HP

Formula Used :
Volumetric Efficiency = Va x 100
Vt

Where :
Va - actual volume of air compressor

Vt -Theoretical volume of air

Actual volume of air compressed (Va)

3
Va = Cd x A x √(2gh) m / sec

Cd - Coefficient of discharge of orifice

2 2
A - Orifice area in m = π d
4
H - Air head causing flow
H = h x ρ water = m of oil
ρoil x 100
h = ( h1 ~ h2 ) cm of water
Tabulation :

S.No Reservoir U – tube manometer reading Time for 5

Pressure h1 h2 h = (h1 – h2) revolutions
gauge cm of energy
reading P meter (sec)
kgf/cm2
 3
ρwater = 1000 kg/m
3
ρair = 1.162 kg/m at 30°C
= 1.6 x 1000 = 13.79 m of water
1.16 x 100

H = h1 ~ h2 cm of water
ρw = 1000 kg/m3
3
ρoil = 1.173 kg/m at 29 °C

Theoretical Volume of air ,

VT = π D2LN m3/s
4 x 60

D - Diameter of piston – 0.7

m L - Stroke length – 0.085 m
N - Speed – 850 rpm
Isothermal  – Va x 100
Vt
Va - Actual volume of air compressor
VT - Theoretical volume of air
x - No of revolutions 5
Emc – Energy meter constant – 200 rev/hr
t – time for 5 rev in seconds
Compressor output = ρa x Va KW
1000
5 2
Pa – Atmospheric Pressure = 1 bar = 1 x 10 N / m
3
Va – Actual volume of air ( m / s )
C- Compression ratio = gauge pressure + Atmospheric pressure

Procedure :

 Close the outlet valve.

 Fill up the manometer with water up to half level.
 Start the compressor and observe the pressure developing slowly.
 At a particular test , pressure outlet valve is opened slowly and adjuster so that
pressure in tank and maintained constant .
 Observe the following reading time taken for 5 revolution of energy meter disc.
Graph :

Thus performance test on a two stage reciprocating air compressor is conducted vol
is also found .

Result :

Pressure I/P Power

so (%) vol (%)