Experiment No.

- 07

Title of the experiment: Trial on Reciprocating Air Compressor.

Aim: To conduct a trial on two stage reciprocating air compressor and find its volumetric
efficiency and isothermal efficiency for various delivery pressure.

Apparatus: A two stage reciprocating air compressor, tachometer and a stopwatch.

Theory:
Air compressor is a two stage reciprocating type. Air is sucked from atmosphere and
compressor in low pressure cylinders. Compressed air is then passed through intercooler into 2nd
stage, where it is further compressed. The compressed air is then sent to reservoir for storage.
The test unit consists of air compressor, electric motor, air box containing orifice plate and U-
tube manometer and energy meter.

Specification of test set up:

1. Diameter of low pressure piston (D) = 0.0795 m
2. Diameter of high pressure piston (d) = 0.063 m
3. Stroke Length (L) = 0.0854 m
4. Orifice Diameter (d1) = 0.02 m
5. Coefficient of discharge (Cd) = 0.62
6. Energy Meter constant = 100 rev/KWhr

Procedure:
1. The output valve is closed.
2. The manometer connections are to be checked.
3. Compressor is then started and pressure develops in the receiver.
4. All the particular pressure (test pressure) output is opened and adjusted, so that
pressure is maintained constant. At this pressure, take manometer readings and
energy meter readings as per instructions.
5. Repeat the procedure for different discharge pressures.
Precautions:
1. The orifice should never be closed.
2. At the end of experiment, outlet valve should be opened as compressor is to be started
again at low pressure to pressure under load on piston.

Observation Table:

At N = 1450 RPM

Discharge Manometer reading Time Required for 10

Sr. No.
Pressure (bar) (hw) rev of energy meter (sec)
1 1
2 2
3 3
4 4
5 5

Calculations:

h w = ............m
hw   w P
ha   ................m ; a   ...........kg / m3
a RT
Vactaul  Cd  A 2 g ha  .............m3 / s
 N
Vtheorotical  D2 L  ..............m3 / s ; where  1.796 ( power factor )
4   60
Vactual
Volumetric Efficiency, vol .   .....................%
Vtheorotical
3600 10
Compressor work input   motor transmission  ................KW
100 time
motor  0.85
transmission  0.90
Pguage  Patm
Isothermal Work  PaVa ln C  ................KW ; C 
Patm
IsothermalWork
Isothermal Efficiency   .............. %
Actual Work
 Result Table :

Sr No Discharge Pressure (bar) Volumetric Efficiency % Isothermal Efficiency %

1
2
3
4
5

Conclusion:

From graphs we can conclude that;

1. As pressure increases volumetric efficiency decreases.

2. As pressure increases isothermal efficiency also increases.

Graph:
1. Volumetric efficiency Vs pressure ratio.
2. Isothermal efficiency Vs pressure ratio