SKMM 2423 (APPLIED THERMODYNAMICS)

RECIPROCATING-AIR COMPRESSOR
PROBLEMS
Note: For air, R = 0.287 kJ/kg.K; cv = 0.718 kJ/kg.K; cp = 1.005 kJ/kg.K and = 1.4
1.

Air is to be compressed in a single stage compressor from 1.013 bar and 15oC to 7 bar.
Calculate the indicated power required for the delivery of 0.3 m3/min air if the
compression process is :
(i) isentropic,
(ii) isothermal and reversible, and
(iii) polytropic with index, n = 1.25
What is the delivery temperature of each process?
(1.31 kW; 0.98 kW; 1.20 kW; 227oC; 15oC; 150.9oC)

2.

A single stage, single acting compressor operates at 1000 rpm delivering air at 25 bar.
Conditions at the entrance and during induction are assumed the same at 1.013 bar
and 15oC, and the free air delivery (FAD) is 0.25 m3/min. The clearance volume is
equivalent to 3% of stroke volume and the stroke/bore ratio is 1.2/1. Index of
compression and expansion is 1.3. Calculate :
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)

size of cylinder bore and stroke,

volumetric efficiency,
indicated power, and
isothermal efficiency.
(73.2 mm; 87.8 mm; 67.6%; 2 kW; 67.7%)

3.

The compressor in Q2 has an actual induction condition of 1 bar and 40oC, and delivery
pressure of 25 bar. With the same stroke/bore ratio, calculate the FAD based on its
condition of 1.013 bar and 15oC, and the required indicated power. What is the value
of the volumetric efficiency?
(0.226 m3/min; 1.98 kW; 61.2%)

4.

A single acting compressor delivers air at 70 bar from a pressure of 1 bar, at the rate of
2.4 m3/min measured at an FAD of 1.013 bar and 15oC. Compression is done in two
stages with an ideal inter-stage pressure and complete intercooling. For each cylinder
the temperature at end of induction stroke is 32oC and index of compression and
expansion is 1.25. Clearance volume is 3% of stroke volume and speed of the
compressor is 750 rpm. Mechanical efficiency of compressor is 85%. Calculate :
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)

the required indicated power,

the power saved compared to that of single stage compression,
stroke volume of each cylinder, and
the required motor output power.
(22.74 kW; 5.98 kW; 0.00396 m3; 0.000474 m3; 26.75 kW)

5.

A single cylinder, single acting compressor with bore 200 mm and stroke 250 mm was
designed to allow its clearance volume to be varied by adjusting the cylinder head,
without having to change the stroke. The following data was recorded during the test:
Clearance volume = 700 cm3, speed = 300 rpm, discharge pressure = 5 bar, induction
condition is 1 bar and 32oC, FAD condition is 1.013 bar and 15oC, index of
compression/expansion, n = 1.25 and mechanical efficiency is 80%. Calculate:
(i)
(ii)

motor power, and

minimum value of clearance volume if discharge pressure is 4.2 bar, with an
assumption that a same power is used without any change in induction
condition, speed, index n and mechanical efficiency.
(1.68 m3/min; 7.1 kW; 458 cm3)

6.

A single acting, single cylinder compressor is driven by an electrical motor at 300 rpm.
Assuming cylinder bore size and stroke are the same. Using the given data, calculate :
(i) free air delivery,
(ii) volumetric efficiency, and
(iii) bore size and/or stroke.
Conditions at FAD are 1.013 bar and 15oC; discharge pressure = 8 bar;
clearance volume = 7% of stroke volume; n = 1.3; m = 87% and motor output
power = 23 kW.
(4.47 m3/min; 72.7%; 297 mm)

7.

A two stage compressor has 3 cylinders, each having the same bore and stroke.
Discharge pressure is 7 bar and FAD is 4.2 m3/min. Air is induced at 1.013 bar and
15oC and an intercooler cools the air to 38OC. Index of compression is 1.3 for all
cylinders. By neglecting clearance volume, calculate:
(i) interstage pressure,
(ii) power to drive the compressor, and
(iii) thermal efficiency.
(2.19 bar; 16.2 kW; 84.5%)

8.

A 4 stage compressor operates between 1 bar and 112 bar. Index of compression is
1.28, temperature at the beginning of every compression is 32oC, and the interstage
pressure is selected such that the compression work is the same for each stage. By
neglecting the clearance volume, calculate:
(i) outlet temperature of every stage,
(ii) volume at FAD of 1.013 bar and 15oC, per kWh, and
(iii) thermal efficiency.
(122oC; 6.23 m3/kWh; 87.6%)

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