EXPERIMENT # 6

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

2- Equipment:

I. Two-stage air compressor unit

II. Spring balance
III. Hook

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 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 turning force on torque arm manually by using handle and spring balance.
5. 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.
6. Record the temperatures of ambient air, after stage 1, after stage 2, in the air receiver and
after the air receiver discharge valve.
7. Adjust the pressure in the air receiver and again record the above data.
8. The compressor may be further tested at lower compressor speeds and at various air
receiver tank pressures.
9. Repeat experiment to record at least 5 readings and fill the table of readings.
4- Table of readings:
Table. 6.1

Sr P1 P2 P3 n F 𝑉̇ Pisen B.P 𝜂𝑖𝑠𝑒𝑛

(Pa) (Pa) (Pa) (rpm) (N) (𝑚3⁄ (W) (W) (%)
𝑠)

5- Theory:

Due to high speed running of compressor the compression process may be assumed to be near adiabatic
or polytropic process following law of compression as PVn = C with value of ‘n’ varying between 1.25
and 1.4 for air. It is thus necessary that actual compression process should be compared with isentropic
compression process. Isentropic efficiency is the ratio of isentropic work of compression to the actual
indicated work of compression. Isentropic efficiency can be calculated by:

𝑃𝑖𝑠𝑒𝑛
𝜂𝑖𝑠𝑒𝑛 = × 100
𝐼. 𝑃

𝐼.𝑃
𝜂𝑚𝑒𝑐ℎ =
𝐵.𝑃

𝑛−1 𝑛−1
𝑛 𝑃2 𝑛 𝑛 𝑃3 𝑛
P𝑖𝑠𝑒𝑛 = 𝑃1 𝑉̇ [( ) − 1] + 𝑃2 𝑉̇ [( ) − 1]
𝑛−1 𝑃1 𝑛−1 𝑃2

2𝜋𝑁
𝐵𝑃 = 𝐹. 𝑟 ×
60

𝜂𝑚𝑒𝑐ℎ = 0.85
Where,
 Pisen = Isentropic power
B.P= Brake power
r = length of torque arm = (0.2 m)
I.P= Indicated Power
n = polytropic index = (1.4)

𝜂𝑖𝑠𝑒𝑛 = isentropic power

P1= atmospheric pressure
P2= 1st stage pressure
P3= 2nd stage pressure
F= Force
N= Motor RPM
𝑉̇ = volume flow rate

6- Calculations:

7- Observations & Conclusions:

Observations and conclusions should include

• On what parameters isentropic efficiency depends.

• Steps to increase isentropic efficiency.
• Clear focus on key aspects of experiment.
• Any fault in lab apparatus.
 EXPERIMENT # 7

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

2- Equipment:

I. Two-stage air compressor unit

II. Spring balance
III. Hook

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 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 turning force on torque arm manually by using handle and spring balance.
5. 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.
6. Record the temperatures of ambient air, after stage 1, after stage 2, in the air receiver and
after the air receiver discharge valve.
7. Adjust the pressure in the air receiver and again record the above data.
8. The compressor may be further tested at lower compressor speeds and at various air
receiver tank pressures.
9. Repeat experiment to record more readings and fill the table of readings.
4- Table of Readings:
Table. 7.1

Sr P1 P3 n F 𝑉̇ 𝑃𝑖𝑠𝑜 I.P B.P 𝜂𝑖𝑠𝑒𝑛

(Pa) (Pa) (rpm) (N) (𝑚3⁄ (W) (W) (W) (%)
𝑠)

5- Theory:

A mathematical parameter called isothermal efficiency is defined for quantifying the degree of
deviation of actual compression process from ideal compression process. Isothermal efficiency is
defined by the ratio of isothermal work and actual indicated work in reciprocating compressor.

𝑃𝑖𝑠𝑜
𝜂𝑖𝑠𝑜 = × 100
𝐼. 𝑃

𝑃3
𝑃𝑖𝑠𝑜 = 𝑃1 𝑉̇ ln
𝑃1

𝐼.𝑃
𝜂𝑚𝑒𝑐ℎ =
𝐵.𝑃

2𝜋𝑁
𝐵𝑃 = 𝐹. 𝑟 ×
60

𝜂𝑚𝑒𝑐ℎ = 0.85

Where,

Piso = Isothermal power

P1= atmospheric pressure
P3= 2nd stage pressure
𝑉̇ = volume flow rate of air
 B.P= Brake power
r = length of torque arm = (0.2 m)
I.P = Indicated Power
𝜂𝑖𝑠𝑜 = Isothermal Power
F= Force
N= Motor RPM

6- Calculations:

7- Observations & Conclusions:

Observations and conclusions should include

• On what parameters isothermal efficiency depends.

• Steps to increase isothermal efficiency.
• Clear focus on key aspects of experiment.
• Any fault in lab apparatus.