EXPERIMENT # 4

1- Objective:
To determine isentropic power of two-stage air compressor unit at receiver tank pressure

2- Equipment:

I. Two-stage air compressor unit

3- Experimental Procedure:

1. Start the compressor by pushing green button on control box. Slightly open the air
receiver discharge valve to maintain a constant pressure in the air receiver tank. Adjust
the motor speed to about 1500 rpm and cut-off pressure of the compressor at 10 bar.
2. Then slightly open the air receiver discharge valve to maintain a constant pressure in the
air receiver tank. If really necessary, the speed could also be adjusted to facilitate this
operation.
3. Record the motor speed and compressor speed.
4. Record the readings of pressures after stage 1 and stage 2, in the receiver and after the air
receiver discharge valve from the indicators at control panel.
5. Record the temperatures of ambient air, after stage 1, after stage 2, in the air receiver and
after the air receiver discharge valve.
6. Adjust the pressure in the air receiver and again record the above data.
7. The compressor may be further tested at lower compressor speeds and at various air
receiver tank pressures.
8. Repeat experiment to record at least 5 readings and fill the table of readings.
4- Table of Readings:
Table. 4.1

Sr P1 P2 P3 P 𝑉̇ Isentropic
Power ‘Pisen’
(Pa) (Pa) (Pa) (Pa) (𝑚3⁄
𝑠) (W)

5- Theory:

An isentropic process is an idealized thermodynamic process that is both adiabatic and reversible.
The work transfers of the system are frictionless, and there is no transfer of heat or matter.
Isentropic power can be calculated by:
𝑛−1 𝑛−1
𝑛 𝑃2 𝑛 𝑛 𝑃3 𝑛
P𝑖𝑠𝑒𝑛 = 𝑃1 𝑉̇ [( ) − 1] + 𝑃2 𝑉̇ [( ) − 1]
𝑛−1 𝑃1 𝑛−1 𝑃2

2∆𝑃 𝐴2
𝑉̇ = 𝐶𝑑 √ ∗
𝜌𝐴𝑖𝑟 2
√1 − (𝐴2 )
𝐴1

Pisen = Isentropic power

P1= atmospheric pressure
 P2= pressure 1st stage
P3= pressure 2nd stage
𝑉̇ = volume flow rate of air
n = polytropic index = (1.4)
P = differential pressure
Cd = coefficient of discharge = (0.65)
𝜌𝐴𝑖𝑟 = density of air = (1.225 kg/𝑚3 )
d2 = diameter of smaller orifice = (25mm)
d1 = diameter of larger orifice = (98.5mm)
A2 = area of smaller orifice
A1 = area of larger orifice
ρ = density of manometer fluid = (826 kg/𝑚3 )
h= height of manometer liquid
P1= atmospheric pressure

6- Calculations:

7- Observations & Conclusions:

Observations and conclusions should include

• On what parameters isentropic power depends.

• Steps to make isentropic power better.
• Clear focus on key aspects of experiment.
• Any fault in lab apparatus.
 EXPERIMENT # 5

1- Objective:
To determine isothermal power of two stage air compressor unit at receiver tank pressure.

2- Equipment:

I. Two-stage air compressor unit

3- Experimental Procedure:

1. Start the compressor by pushing green button on control box. Slightly open the air
receiver discharge valve to maintain a constant pressure in the air receiver tank. Adjust
the motor speed to about 1500 rpm and cut-off pressure of the compressor at 10 bar.
2. Then slightly open the air receiver discharge valve to maintain a constant pressure in the
air receiver tank. If really necessary, the speed could also be adjusted to facilitate this
operation.
3. Record the motor speed and compressor speed.
4. Record the readings of pressures after stage 1 and stage 2, in the receiver and after the air
receiver discharge valve from the indicators at control panel.
5. Record the temperatures of ambient air, after stage 1, after stage 2, in the air receiver and
after the air receiver discharge valve.
6. Adjust the pressure in the air receiver and again record the above data.
7. The compressor may be further tested at lower compressor speeds and at various air
receiver tank pressures.
8. Repeat experiment to record at least 5 readings and fill the table of readings.
4- Table of Readings:
Table. 5.1

Sr P1 P3 P 𝑉̇ Isothermal
Power ‘Piso’
(Pa) (Pa) (Pa) (𝑚3⁄
𝑠) (W)

5- Theory:

An isothermal process is an idealized thermodynamic process in which temperature remains

constant. Isothermal power can be calculated by:

𝑃3
𝑃𝑖𝑠𝑜 = 𝑃1 𝑉̇ ln
𝑃1

2∆𝑃 𝐴2
𝑉̇ = 𝐶𝑑 √ ∗
𝜌𝐴𝑖𝑟 2
√1 − (𝐴2 )
𝐴1

Where,

Piso = Isothermal power

P1= atmospheric pressure
 P3= pressure 2nd stage
𝑉̇ = volume flow rate of air
P = differential pressure
Cd = coefficient of discharge = (0.65)
𝜌𝐴𝑖𝑟 = density of air = (1.225 kg/𝑚3 )
d2 = diameter of smaller orifice = (25mm)
d1 = diameter of larger orifice = (98.5mm)
A2 = area of smaller orifice
A1 = area of larger orifice
ρ = density of manometer fluid = (826 kg/𝑚3 )
h= height of manometer liquid

6- Calculations:

7- Observations & Conclusions:

Observations and conclusions should include

• On what parameters isothermal power depends.

• Steps to make isothermal power better.
• Clear focus on key aspects of experiment.
• Any fault in lab apparatus.