Experiment No.

: 06
Date:

PERFORMANCE TEST ON A DOUBLE STAGE

RECIPROCATING AIR COMPRESSOR

AIM:

To conduct the performance test on a two-stage reciprocating air compressor and to

determine its volumetric efficiency and isothermal efficiency at various discharge pressures.

SPECIFICATIONS:

Low-pressure cylinder:

Stroke, L1 = 90 mm

Bore, D1 = 110 mm
High-pressure cylinder:
Stroke, L2 = 90 mm

Bore, D2 = 87 mm
Orifice diameter = 15 mm
Motor efficiency = 90%

APPLICATIONS:

1. These are used in chemical industries and fertilizer plants.

2. Used to start the high capacity diesel engine.
3. It is used in refrigeration plants and air-conditioning systems.

PROCEDURE:

1. Start the air compressor after closing the receiver tank discharge valve.
2. Set the discharge pressure at a constant value by adjusting the delivery valve.
3. Note down the following readings.
a. Discharge pressure
b. Manometer reading
c. Compressor speed
d. Time taken for 10 impulses of the energy meter disc
4. Take five sets of readings at different discharge pressures.
PRECAUTIONS:

Make sure that the discharge pressure remains constant while taking the readings.

FORMULAE:

1. Density of the air, a= Pa / RTa , kg/m3

2
Pa = Atmospheric Pressure = 101325 N/m
R = Characteristic gas constant (for air R = 287 J/kg K)
Ta = Ambient temperature, K
2. Head of the air causing airflow (m)
HW w 3
Ha (m) , Where w = Density of water, 1000 kg/m
a
3. Actual volume of air (Va) taken into the low pressure (LP) cylinder
½
Va = Cd a ( 2gHa) , m3 /s

Where, Cd = Coefficient of discharge = 0.64

2
a = area of the orifice = d / 4, m2
d = Diameter of the orifice = 0.015 m
4. Theoretical volume of air (VT) taken into the low pressure (LP) cylinder
VT = ( / 4) DL2 LL NC / 60, m3/s

Where, Nc = Speed of the compressor, rpm

DL = Diameter of the low-pressure cylinder, m
LL = Stroke length of the low-pressure cylinder, m
5. Free air delivered, FAD = (Pa.Va.To) / (Ta.Po), m3/s

Po = Pressure at NTP conditions, N/m2

To = Temperature at NTP conditions, K

6. Volumetric efficiency, v = (Va/Vt) 100, %

7. Compressor input work, Wc = (10 3600) / (t 1600) m, kW

Where t = Time taken for 10 impulses of energy meter disc, s
C = Energy meter constant = 1600 IMP/kWh
m = Efficiency of the motor = 0.9

8. Isothermal work, Wiso= Pa.Va. ln (r), kW

Where, r = (Gauge pressure + atmospheric pressure) / atmospheric pressure

9. Isothermal efficiency, iso = (Wiso/ Wc) 100, %
MODEL CALCULATION
GRAPHS:

1. Volumetric efficiency Vs Discharge pressure

2. Isothermal efficiency Vs Discharge pressure
3. Free air delivered Vs Discharge pressure

RESULTS:

Observation and Analysis:

1. What are the advantages of multi-stage compression?

2. Will there be any change in the free air delivery (FAD) if the same compressor is used
at a higher altitude? Justify.

3. Suggest suitable techniques to improve the isothermal efficiency of a compressor.