Mollier Diagram

Power and cooling requirement can also be determined using Mollier diagram. When using Mollier diagram
work done by the compressor on the gas is measured as:
w = ΔH = ng (h2 - h1)
where w = work done by the compressor on the gas (Btu); ΔH = change in enthalpy of gas; ng = number of
moles of gas being compressed; h1 & h2 = enthalpy of gas at suction and discharge of compressor.
Ideal compressor power required is given by: P = w/t = ng (h2 - h1)/t
Where P = Compressor power required; t = time of compression in days

1.6376  10 5 n g (h2  h1 )
Ideal compression Horsepower =
t
First parameter in designing a compressor system is determination of number of stages. In designing
reciprocating compressor, compression ratio is rarely allowed to exceed a value of 4 and a r ≤ 6 is considered as
practical limit.
1
1  p n
Optimum compression ratio is given by: ropt  r  n   2  where ropt = optimum compression ratio per stages;
 p1 
1
 r n
n = number of stages. If intercooling is provided between stages then ropt  
 0.97 
Calculation procedure for using Mollier diagram
Consider 1MMscf of gas being compressed in a single stage compressor. The gas is initially at p1 psia and T1
°F. Point p1 and T1 are marked on Mollier diagram. Mollier diagram is enthalpy – entropy diagram consisting of
a mesh area. Vertical lines of this mesh area are pressure lines and horizontal lines are temperature lines.
Point 1 in the diagram is p1, T1 i.e. suction condition of the compressor. A vertical line is drawn from point 1 to
intersect the line corresponding to pressure p2 and corresponding temperature T2.
For a two stage compressor, the compression process can occur with intercooling and without intercooling and
aftercooling.

Consider a gas being compressed from initial condition of P1, T1 to P2, T2 during first compression cycle. The
gas is now cooled in an intercooler to initial temperature T1 but the pressure is kept constant. Now the gas is at a
condition of P2, T1. The gas is further compresses in second stage from P2,T1 to P3,T3. Again the gas is after
cooled back to T1 keeping Pressure constant at P3. The final discharge condition after two stages of compression
is P3, T1.
In the figure below, from Point 1 to point 2 represent first stage of compression. From point 2 to point 3
represent intercooling. Point 3 to point 4 represent second stage compression and point 4 to point 5 represent
aftercooling. The enthalpy at each point 1,2,3,4, & 5 is calculated. Enthalpy change is calculated for
compression stages, intercooling and aftercooling. Subsequently power and cooling requirements are calculated.