Example: no 01

Usually the inlet gas conditions and exit pressure are known and the compressor power
and outlet temperature are required.
Where this information is required to assist in the selection of a compressor type, the
calculation process should be repeated for each of the types under consideration.
Data:
As an example, consider the following situations:
o Medium = dry air.
o Required Capacity, Q = 88,300 SCFM
o Inlet Temperature, T1 = 560 oR
o Inlet Pressure, p1 = 14.5 psia
o Required Discharge Pressure, p2 = 45 psia

From Figure 5-1 it can be seen that the types of compressor capable of delivering this
relatively high capacity are centrifugal and axial.
The following information required for the power calculation is available from tables
included in this manual or from readily available texts:
1. Density of dry air at S.T.P. ρ = 1.255 kg/m3 (0.0783 lb/ft3)
2. Compressibility of dry air, Z = 1.0
3. Adiabatic Exponent, k = γ = 1.40
4. Polytropic efficiency, (centrifugal compressors) at 150,000 Sm3/hr (88,300 SCFM)
(Figure 5-2)hp = 0.758
5. Polytropic efficiency, (axial compressors) at 150,000 Sm3/hr (88,300 SCFM) (Figure 5-
2) hp= 0.816
6. Molecular weight of air, M = 28.964 lb/lbmole

For A Centrifugal Compressor:

1. Determining the ratio (n-1)/n:

(
n−1
n
)= ( )
1 k−1
ηp k

At, n=0.758
k =0.366300366300366

2. Determining the temperature ratio, T 2 /T 1,

 ( )
n−1
T 2 P2 (
n
)
=
T 1 P1

T2
=1.51412881590768
T1

3. Discharge temperature, T2,

T2
T 2=T 1
T1
T 2=847.912136908303 ° R

4. Determining the weight of air handled, w,

lb
w=Q x ρ=88,300 x 0.0783=115.2315
s
5. Determining the specific gas constant, R,
R0 1 545
R= = =53.3420798232288
M 28.964
6. Determine the X - factor.

X=
{( ) }
P2
P1
( n−1n )−1 =¿

7. Use R and X-factor to calculate the polytropic head, hp,

h pl =Z av R T 1 ( n−1
n
) X =¿