MECHANICAL ENGINEERING LABORATORY III

Activity 5
OPTIMUM INTERCOOLER PRESSURE

I – Objectives:
1. To derive the formula for the optimum intercooler pressure for multi-stage compression of gases,
(and possibly for vapor compression refrigeration, too)
2. To show that the optimum intercooler pressure results to the minimum total work of compression

II – Discussion
1. What is a multi-pressure compression? Refrigeration systems?
2. What are the applications of multi-pressure systems?
3. Draw a schematic diagram of a multi-pressure gas compression system, label the parts, and
discuss.
4. Draw a schematic diagram of a multi-pressure refrigeration system, label the parts, and discuss.
III – Procedure:
Draw the pV and Ts diagrams for a two-stage gas compression cycle with intercooling. Assuming
perfect intercooling - the gas is cooled to its initial temperature – equate the work of compression both
for the low-pressure and high-pressure stages denoting Pi as the intercooler pressure; Ps and Pd as the
suction and discharge pressures, respectively. Be sure to use the appropriate variables and constants for
your equations. Add these works as work total. Differentiate the equation with respect to the Pi and
equate to zero. Finally simplify the equations and derive the needed formula : Pi = (PsPd)^(0.5).
Substitute the derived formula to the Work equations and proved that the works are equal.
Then derive and tabulate the formula for the optimum intercooler pressures for 3 and 4 stages.
The trend is obvious so expand the table until say 7 stages.
Lastly assume values for Ps and Pd, prepare a table for 2-stage compression to show that Pi will
give the minimum total work for the two stages. The table shall look like this:

The table was constructed with Ps = 101.325 kPaa and Pd = 1013.25 kPaa with increment of say, 50 kPaa
that decreased as it approached Pi, both from the top and bottom of the table.
IV – Summary of findings
V- Conclusions
VI-References