UNIT - 1

Reciprocating compressor
1.A single stage reciprocating compressor takes 1m3 of air per minute at 1.013 bar and
15oC and delivers it at 7 bar. Assuming that the law of compression is Pv1.35= constant, and
the clearance is negligible, calculate the indicated power?
Solution
Volume of air taken in,V1 = 1 m3/ min
Intake pressure, p1 = 1.013 bar
Initial temperature, T1 = 15 + 273 = 288 K
Delivery pressure, P2 = 7 bar
Law of compression: PV1.35 = constant
Indicated power I.P.:
Mass of air delivered per min.,
p1v1 1.013  10 5  1
m   1.266kg / min
RT1 287  288
(n 1 /n)
 p2 
Delivery temperature, T2  T1  
 p1 
(1.351) / 1.35
 7 
= 288   475.2 K
 1.013 
n
Indicated work = mR (T2  T1 ) kJ / min
n 1
1.35
=  1.226  0.287 (475.2  288  254 kJ / min
1.35  1
254
i.e., Indicated power I.P =  4.23kW .( Ans )
60

2
2.An air compressor cylinder has 150mm bore and 150mm stroke and the clearance is
15%. It operates between 1 bar, 27oC and 5 bar. Take polytrophic exponent n=1.3 for
compression and expansion processes find?
i. Cylinder volume at the various salient points of in cycle.
ii. Flow rate in m3/min at 720 rpm and .
iii. The deal volumetric efficiency.
Given
D = 15010-3m P2 = 5105 N/m2
L = 15010-3 m T1 = 27+273 = 300K
Vc =0.15Vs N = 720rpm
P1 = 1105 N/m2 pvn = C n=1.3
Find
i. V1, V2, V3, V4
ii. FAD (Va)
iii. v
Solution
V1 = Vc + Vs
 2 
Vs = D L. N  (0.15) 2  .0.15  720  1.9085m 3 / min
4 4
Vc = 0.15 Vs
=0.151.9085
Vc= 0.2862 m3/min
V1 = Vc + Vs
= 0.2862 + 1.9085
V1 = 2.1948 m3/min

n n
P1V1  P2 V2
1
n
P 
V2 = V1  1 
 P2 

3
 1
 1  10 5  1.3
= 2.1948  
 5  10 5 
3
V2 = 0.6366 m /min

3
V3= 0.2862 m /min = Vc
Vc = V3 
n n
P3V3  P4 V4
1
4
P 
V4 = V3  3 
 P4 
WKT
P 2 = P3
P 1 = P4
1
 P2  n
 V4 = V3 
 P 
 1
1
 5  105  1.3
= 0.2862  5 
 1 10 

3
V4 = 0.98674 m /min

1/ n
 P2 
Volumetric efficiency (v) = 1+k-k  
 P1 
Vc 0.2862
k= Clearance Raito = 
Vs 1.9085

K =0.1499
1
1.3
5 
 v = 1+0.1499 – 0.1499  
1 
v = 0.633 = 63.3%

v = 63.3%

4
WKT
FAD
v =
Vs
FAD = v Vs
=0.6331.9085

3
FAD = 1.2083 m /min
3

3.Calcute the diameter and stroke for a double acting single stage reciprocating air
compressor of 50kW having induction pressure 100 kN/m2 and temperature 150oC. The
law of compression is PV1.2 = C and delivery pressure is 500 kN/ m2. The revolution/sec
=1.5 and mean piston speed in 150 m/min. Clearance is neglected.
Given:
Double acting single stage
Compressor
IP = 50kW
P1 = 100103 N/m2
T1 = 15 + 273 = 288K
PV1.2 = C n=1.2
P2 = 500103 N/m2
N = 1.5 rps = 1.560 rpm
2LN = 150m/min (Double acting )
Find
i. D and L

Solution
For double acting compressor average piston speed = 2LN
 2LN = 150 m/min
150
 L=  0.833m
2  1.5  60

L = 0.833 m

5
To Find D
IP = W.Nw
where
Nw = Number of working stroke
For Double acting Nw = 2N
For single acting Nw = N
Nw = 21.560 = 180 rpm
n 1
 
n  
p2 n
W.D/cycle = p 1V1    1

n 1  p1  
 
0.2
 
1.2 3 2   500   1.2 
=  100  10  D  0.833      1
1. 2  1 4   100  
 
W= 120764.2D2 N-m

W .N w
IP =
60
1207642 D 2  180
50103 =
60
D2 = 0.1380

D=0.371 m

4.A single acting reciprocating air compressor has cylinder diameter and stroke of 200 mm
and 300 mm respectively. The compressor sucks air at 1 bar and 27oC and delivers at 8 bar
while running at 100 r.p.m Find: 1. Indicated power of the compressor; 2. Mass of air
delivered by the compressor per minute; and 3. temperature of the delivered by the
compressor. The compression follows the law PV1.25 = C Take R as 287 J/kg K.
Solution.
Given
D=200 mm = 0.2m;
L = 300 mm = 0.3m;

6
 p1= 1 bar = 1105 N/m2;
T1 = 27oC = 27 + 273 = 300K;
p2 = 8 bar;
N = 100 r.p.m
n=1.25;
R= 287 J/kg K
1.Indicated power of the compressor
 2
V1  D L  0.0094 m 3
4
We know that workdone by the compressor for polytropic compression of air as
n 1
 
n  p  n
W = p 1V1    1
 2

n 1  p1  
 
1.25
 
1.25  8  1.251
= 5
 1  10  0.0094    1 N  m
1.25  1  1  
 
=4700(1.516-1) = 2425 N-m
Since the compressor is single acting, therefore number of working strokes per
minute,
Nw = N = 100
Indicated power of the compressor
W  N w 2425  100
=  = 4042kW
60 60
2.Mass of air delivered by the compressor per minute
Let m= Mass of air delivered by the compressor per
stroke.
We know that P1V1 = mRT1
P1V1 1  10 5  0.0094
 m   0.0109 kg per stroke
RT1 287  300

and mass delivered minute =mNw= 0.0109100 = 1.09kg

7
 3. Temperature of air delivery by the compressor
Let T2= Temperature of air delivered by the compressor.
n1 1.25 1
T2  p2  n
8 1.25
We know that      8 0.2  1.516
T1  p1  1
T2 = 1.516T1 = 1.516300 = 454.8K = 181.8oK

5.A single –stage double –acting air compressor is required to deliver 14 m3 of air per
minute measured at 1.013 bar and 150oC. The delivery pressure is 7 bar and the speed 300
r.p.m. Take the clearance volume as 5% of the swept volume with the compression and
expansion index of  = 1.3 Calculate:
i. Swept volume of the cylinder;
ii. The delivery temperature;
iii. Indicated power.
Solution
Quantity of air to be delivered = 14 m3/min
Intake pressure and temperature p1 = 1.0.13 bar,
T1 = 15 + 273 = 288 K
Delivery pressure p2 = 7 bar
Compressor speed, N = 300 r.p.m
Clearance volume, Vc = 0.05 Vs
Compression and expansion index n=1.3
Swept volume of the cylinder, Vs:
Swept volume Vs = V1 – V3 = V1 – Vc = V1 -0.05 Vs

V1-V4 FAD
=
Nw
14
and V1 – V4 = = 0.0233 m3
300  2
1 1
n
V p   7  1.3
Now, V1 = 1.05 V8 and 4 =  2     4.423
V3  p1   1.013 

i.e., V1 – V3 = 4.423 V3 = 4.423  0.05 Vs = 0.221 Vs

 (V1 – V4) = 1.05 Vs -0.221 Vs = 0.221 Vs

8
 0.0233
 V8  0.0281m 3
1.05  0.221
i.e Swept volume of the cylinder = 0.0281 m3 .
ii. The delivery temperature, T2
n 1
T2  p2  n
Using the relation  
T1  p1 
n 1 1.31
p  n
 7  1.3
 T2 = T1   2  = 288     450 K
 p1   1.013 

 Delivery temperature = 450 – 273 = 177oC

iii Indicated power:

n 1
 
n  P2  n 
Indicated power  p1 (V1  V4 )   1
n 1  p1  
 
1.31
 
1.3 1.013  10 5  14  7  1.3 
=  3    1
1.3  1 10  6  1.013  

= 57.56 kW
Indicated power = 57.56 kW
6. A single stage single acting air compressor delivers 0.6 kg of air per minute at 6 bar .
The temperature and pressure at the end of suction stroke are 30oC and 1 bar. The bore
and stroke of the compressor are 100 mm and 150 mm respectively. The clearance is 3% of
the swept volume Assuming the index of compression and expansion to be 1.3. find:
i. Volumetric efficiency of the compressor
ii. Power required if the mechanical efficiency is 85%, and
iii. Speed of the compressor (r.p.m)
Given
Mass of air delivered, m=0.6kg/min
Delivery Pressure, p2 =6 bar
Induction Pressure, p1 =6 bar

9
 Induction temperature, T1 = 30 + 273 = 303 K
Bore, D= 100mm = 0.1m
Stroke length , L=150mm = 0.15 m
Clearance volume, Vc = 0.03 Vs
Mechanical efficiency  mech =85%
i. Volumetric efficiency of the compressor,vol:
1
 P n
vol =1+ k - k  2 
 p1 
Vc
Where k =  0.03
Vs
1
 6  1.3
 vol = 1 + 0.03 – 0.03    0.91096or 91.096%
1
ii. Power required if the mechanical efficiency is 85%, and
n 1
 
n  P  n
Indicated power =  mRT1    1
 2
n 1  p1  
 
1.31
 
1.3 0.6  6  1.3
  0.287  303    1  1.93kW
1.3  1 60  1  
 
1.93 1.93
 Power required to drive the compressor:    2.27 kW
 mech 0.85
iii. Speed of the compressor (r.p.m)
mRT1 0.6  0.287  1000  303
Free air delivery, F.A.D =  5
= 0.5218 m3/min
p1 1  10

F . A.D 0.5218
Displacement volume    0.5728 m 3 /min
 vol 0.91096

 2
Also 0.5728= D L  N (for single – acting compressor)
4

or 0.5728= 0.120.15  N
4

10
 0.5728  4
 Speed of compressor N= = 486.2 r.p.m
  0.12  0.15
7.A single stage , single air compressor running at 1000 r.p.m delivers air at 25 bar . For
this purpose the induction and free air conditions can be taken as 1.013 bar and 150oC and
the free air delivery as 0.25 m3/min. The clearance volume is 3% of the swept volume and
the stroke bore ratio is 1:2:1 Take the index of compression and expansion as 1.3. calculate
also the indicated power and the isothermal efficiency
Given data:-
With clearance volume
Single stage single acting air compressor
N=1000 rpm
p2= 25 bar = 25105 N/m2
T1 = 15o = 273+15 =288K
Vc = 0.03Vs
Vc
 k  0.03
Vs

Stroke( D) 1

Bore( L) 2

L = 2D
n = 1.3
PVn = C (polytropic process) To find

i. v , D and L
ii. (I.P) and Iso
1
P  n
i. v=1+ k - k  2 
 p1 

 25  10 5  11.3
v = 1+0.03-0.03  
5 
 1.013  10 

v = 0.6766

11
 Wpoly  N
ii. IP =
60
Inductor power =I.P
n 1
 
n   P2  n 
Wpoly  p(V1  V4 )  
n 1  p1  
 

v = FAD / Va
VS
Va 0.25
Vs = 
 v 0.6766
Vs = 0.369 m3/min


Vs = D2L
4

 D 3
0.369 = D22D =
4 2
D =0.617 m = 617 mm
L = 2D = 2  0.617
L = 1234 mm
Vc = 0.011 m3/min = V3
V1 = Vc + Vs
V1 = 0.011 + 0.369
3-4 is expansion
pvn =C
n
P4  v3 
 
P3  v4 
1 1
v4  P3    P2  n
     
v3  P4   P1 

12
 1
P  
V4 = V3  2 
 P1 
V4 = 0.129 m3/min
n 1
 
 n   P  n
Wpoly    p (V1  V4 )   
 2

 n  1   p1  
 
0.3
 
1.3  2 .5  1.3
  1
5
=  1.013  10 (0.38  0.129) 
0.3  1.013  
 
W.D poly = 120713.193N-min
W .Dpoly  N
I.P =
60
12713 1000
I.P =
60
Wiso
iso =
W poly

p 
Wiso p1 (V1  V2 ) ln  2 
 p1 

p 
p1 (V1  V2 ) ln  2 
iso   p1 
 1
 n  p  
  p1 (V1  V4 ) 2  1
 n 1   p1 

 25 
1.013  10 5  (0.0380  0.129) ln  
 1.013 
iso =
120713.19
iso = 0.675
iso = 67.5%

13
8.A two stage air compressor air from 1 bar and 20oC to 42 bar. If the law of compression
is pv1.35 = constant and the intercooling is complete to 20oC, find per kg of air:1. The work
done is compressing; and 2. The mass of water necessary for abstracting the heat in the
intercooler, if the temperature rise of the cooling water is 250oC

p1= 1 bar = 1105 N/m2

T1 = 20o C= 20+273 =293K
p3= 42 bar = 42105 N/m2
n=1.35
T3 = 20o C= 20+273 =293K; m= l kg;
Rise in temperature of cooling water =25o C;
R=287J/kg K cp= 1 kJ /kg K
we know that for complete intercooling. the intercooler pressure
p2= p1 p3  1  42  6.48 bar

and volume of air admitted for compression

V1 mRT1  1 287 5293  0.84m 3 / kg of air

p1 1 10
1. Work done compressing the air
n 1 n 1
 
 n   P2  n  
P2 n
W    p11       2

 n  1 p  p1 
 1  
1.35 1 1.351
 
1.35  6.48  1.35  42  1.35
=  1  105  0.84      2 N  m
1.35  1  1   6.48  
 
=3.24105 (1.62 +1.62 -2) = 4.017105 N-m
2.Mass of water necessary for abstracting the heat in the intercooler.
Let mw= Mass of water necessary /kg of air ,and
T2 = Temperature of the air entering the intercooler.
n 1 1.35 1
T2  P2  n
 6.48  1.35
     1.622
T1  P1   1 

14
 T2 = T11.622 = 293 1.622 = 475.6 K
We know that heat gained by water
= Heat lost by air
mwcwRise in temperature
= mcp(T2-T3)
mw4.2 25 =11(475.6-293) =182.6
mw = 1.74kg
9.A two- stage acting reciprocating compressor takes in air at the rate of 0.2 m3/s. The
intake pressure and temperature of air 0.1MPa and 16oC. The air is compressed to a final
pressure of .7Mpa. The intermediate pressure is ideal and intercooling is perfect. The
compression index in both the stages is 1.25 and the compressor runs at 600 r.p.m.
Neglecting clearance determine:
i. The intermediate pressure
ii. The total volume of each cylinder,
iii. The power required to drive the compressor and
iv. The rate of heat rejection in the intercooler.
Take cp= 1.005 kJ/kg K and R =0.287 kJ/kg K
Solution .
Intake volume V1=0.2 m3/s
Intake pressure p1 = 0.1MPa,
Intake temperature T1 = 16 + 273 = 289 K
Final pressure p3 =0.7MPa
Compression index in both stages, n1 = n2 n =1.25
Speed of the compressor N = 600 r.p.m
cp = 1.005kJ/kg K; R = 0.287 kJ/kg K
i. The power required to drive the compressor,P2:
p2= p1 p3  0.1  0.7  0.2646 MPa

ii. The total volume of each cylinder ,Vs1,Vs2:

N 600
We know that Vs1  V1 or Vs1  0.2
60 60

15
 600  0.2
 Vs1 (Volume of L.P cylinder) =  0.02m3 (Ans).
60
p1Vs 1
Also p1Vs 1  p1Vs 2 or Vs 2 
p2
0.1  0.02
VS2 (Volume of H.P. Cylinder) =  0.00756 m 3 (Ans)
0.2646

iii. The rate of heat rejection in the intercooler:

p1V1 (0.1  10 3 )  0.2
Mass of air handled, m    0.241 kg / s
RT1 0.287  289
n 1 1.25 1
T2  p 2  n T2  0.2646  1.25
Also,   or   or T2=351.1K
T1  p1  289  0.1 

 Heat rejected in the intercooler = m cp(T2-T1)

= 0.2411.005 (351.1-289) = 15.04 kJ/s or 15.04 kW.(Ans)

10. A single acting reciprocating air compressor has a swept volume of 2000 cm3 and
runs at 800 rpm. It operates with pressure ratio of 8 and clearance of 5% of the
swept volume. Inlet pressure and temperature are 1.013 bar, and 15oC respectively.
Assume n=1.25 for both compression and expansion. Find
i. Indicated power
ii. Volumetric efficiency
iii. Mass flow rate
iv. FAD
v. Isothermal efficiency
vi. Actual Power required to drive the compressor if mech=85%
Given
Single acting reciprocating compressor
Vs = 2000 cm3 = 0.002 m3
N = 800 rpm
P2 P3
 8
P1 P4

16
 Vc = 5% Vs
= 0.050.002
Vc = 0.0001 m3
p1 = 1.013105 N/m2
T1 = 15+273 = 288 K
n
PV = C n = 1.25

Find: i)IP ii)v iii)m iv) FAD(Va) v) iso vi) Pact if m=85%
Solution
WKT
Vc 0.0001
Clearance ratio (k) = 
Vs 0.002

k = 0.05
1
 P n
 Volumetric efficiency (v) = 1+k- k  2 
 P1 
= 1+0.05 – 0.05 (8)1/1.25
v = 78.61%
WKT
FAD
v =
Vs

FAD =  v  Vs
= 0.78610.002
= 1.572210-3 m3
FAD FAD
  Speed
min Stroke
= 1.572210-3800
 FAD = 1.2578 m3/min
To find mass flow rate
Pv = mRT

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 pV 1.013  10 5  1.2578
m = 
RT 287  288
m = 1.542 kg/min
To find – Indicated power
W .D  N 
IP =
sec
Nw = N (single acting) = 800 rpm.
n
W.D = mR (T2  T1 ) kJ/min.
n1
n 1
P  n
T2 = T1  2 
 P1 
1.25 1
1.25
= 288(8 )
T2 = 436.53 K
1.25
W.D =  1.542  0.287 (436.53  2880
0.25
W.D = 328.66 kJ/min
W .D 328.66
IP = 
s 60
IP = 5.48 kW
To find isothermal efficiency
P 
Wiso = P1V1 ln  2 
 P1 

P 
= mRT1 ln  2 
 P1 
= 1.5420.287288ln (8)
(W.D)iso = 265.04 kJ/min
(W .D )iso
iso =
(W .D ) act

Actual work= mech  (W.D)theoretical

= 0.85328.66

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(W.D)act = 279.361 kJ/min
265.04
iso =  100
279.361
iso = 94.87%

11. An air compressor takes in air at 1 bar and 20oC and compresses it according to law
pv1.2=constant. It is then delivered to a receiver at a constant pressure of 10 bar.
R=0.287 kJ/kg K. Determine
(i) Temperature at the end of compression
(ii) Workdone and heat transferred during compression per kg of air.
Solution
T1=20+273=293 K; P1=1 bar; P2=10 bar
Law of compression : pv1.2=C; R=287 J/kgK
(i) Temperature at the end of compression T2
For compression process 1-2, we have
n1 1.2 1
T2  P2  n
 10  1.2
     1.468
T1  P1   1
T2=T11.468 = 2931.468 = 430 K or 157oC
(ii) Workdone and heat transferred during compression per kg of air:
n 1
 
n  P2  n
Workdone, W= mRT1    1

n  1  P1  
 
1.2 1
 1.2  10  1.2
= 10.287293     1  236.13kJ / kg ofair
 1.2  1  1 
Heat transferred during compression,
Q  W  U

p1 v1  p 2 v2  R 
=  cv (T2  T1 )  (T2  T1 ) cv 
n1  n  1 

 0.287 
= (430-293) 0.718   98.23 kJ/kg
 1.2  1 
Negative sign indicates heat rejection.

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