Faculty: Engineering

Department: Petroleum and Mining

Student Name: Ahmed Salam Raqeeb
Stage: 2
Group: A

Air compressor test rig

Experiment Number: 5

Subject: Thermodynamics
 ABSTRACT

To conduct a performance test on the two stage reciprocating air

compressor and to determine the volumetric efficiency and
isothermal efficiencies at various delivery pressures

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 TABLE OF CONETENTS

ABSTRACT..........................................................................................................................................2
INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................................................4
THEORY OF EXPERIMENT...............................................................................................................5
CALCULATIONS AND RESULTS.....................................................................................................6
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION....................................................................................................7
REFERENCES......................................................................................................................................7

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 INTRODUCTION

Air Compressor Test Rig The test rig consists of a

reciprocating air compressor driven by an electric motor. The
compressor is two stage compressor with intercooler. Intake
air flow rate is measured by using an air box with orifice plate
& differential manometer. Pressure gauges are provided to
measure pressure after 1st stage, 2nd stage & tank pressure.
Temperature sensors are used to measure the air temperature
at Inlet, after 1st Stage, Intercooler & 2nd stage. Compressor
Speed & Power Consumption are displayed on panel meters
mounted at the front. In order to study compressor
performance at different speeds Variable Speed Motor with
VFD can also be supplied on request. Experimental
Capabilities: To investigate performance of Reciprocating Air
Compressor. To study effect of delivery pressure on Power
Consumption & Compressor Efficiency. To determine
mechanical efficiency of reciprocating compressor. To
determine Free Air Delivery (FAD) for Air Compressor.
Specifications: Compressor: Two Stage reciprocating Air
compressor with receiver tank (160 Ltrs), Max Pressure 12
Bar, Electric Motor 3 hp, 3 Phase 415 V AC. Safety
Instruments: Pressure Relief Valve & Pressure Switch Air
Flow Measurement: Air Box with Damper & Orifice Plate U
Tube Manometer RPM Sensor: Non Contact type sensor RPM
Indicator: Digital Indicator Pressure Gauges: Glycerin Filled
Pressure Gauges – 2 Nos. Energy Meter: Electronic Energy
Meter for Compressor Power Temperature Sensor: ‘K’ Type
Thermocouples – 4 Nos. Temperature Indicator: Multi
Channel temperature indicator, Range 0-199.9 °C, Resolution
0.1 °C Base Frame: Welded Frame & Panel made from M.S.
Square Tubes & CR Sheets, Powder Coated. 

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 THEORY OF EXPERIMENT

During the down load motion of the piston the pressure inside
the cylinder falls below the atmospheric pressure and the inlet
valve is opened due to its pressure difference the air is sucked
into the cylinder until the piston reaches
The compressed air system is not only an energy intensive
utility but also one of the least energy efficient. Over a period
of time, both performance of compressors and compressed air
system reduces drastically. The causes are many such as poor
maintenance, wear and tear etc. All these lead to additional
compressors installations leading to more inefficiencies. A
periodic performance assessment is essential to minimize the
cost of compressed air. The test rig comprises of a two-stage
air compressor fitted with an air tank with orifice, pressure
gauges 9 an energy meter to measure the input & a
Temperature indicator measures the temperatures at various
points. The compressor is mounted on air receiver along with
the motor, and is provided with air relief valve (safety) and a
pressure switch. The unit determines volumetric efficiency
and isothermal efficiency at various discharge pressures

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 CALCULATIONS AND RESULTS

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 DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

REFERENCES

 https://physics.nyu.edu/~physlab/GenPhysII_PhysIII/Intermediate_Physics_I_writeups/Mec
hanical%20equivalent%20of%20heat-Physics-Majors%20REVISED.pdf

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  https://www.google.com/search?hl=ar&sxsrf=ALeKk03p9PlcrZgZpN-0tUcu1vqXVtifeg
%3A1605024256699&source=hp&ei=ALqqX7T5J8OzgwenorrwCQ&q=mechanical+heat+equi
valent+experiment&oq=Mechanical+Equivalent+ex&gs_lcp=CgZwc3ktYWIQARgAMgYIABAW
EB4yBggAEBYQHjIGCAAQFhAeMgYIABAWEB4yBggAEBYQHjIGCAAQFhAeOgcIIxDqAhAnOgkII
xDqAhAnEBM6BwguEOoCECc6AggAOgUIABDLAVCrhA5YgJwOYNawDmgBcAB4AIABzQKIAfM
IkgEFMi0yLjKYAQCgAQKgAQGqAQdnd3Mtd2l6sAEK&sclient=psy-ab
 https://energyeducation.ca/encyclopedia/Mechanical_equivalent_of_heat

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