ME– P4

Volume Efficiency of a Compressor

Name : Punchihewa K.U.C.

Course : Mechanical Eng.
Date of per : 2022.08.29
Date of sub : 2022.09.12
1 Introduction
Compressed air is used in almost every stage of modern manufacturing. Power service,
process service, and control are the three main categories into which compressed air uses
can be divided. Applications that use either to produce air movement or exercise of power
or both, are considered power services. Examples include air transportation operations,
pneumatic tools, clamping devices, and linear motors. An application in the air or gas that
enters the process itself is referred to as a service operation. Examples include cooling, oil
liquefaction, and combustion. Application controls are those that start, stop, regulate, or
otherwise direct machines or processes using air or gas.
By reducing the volume of air, compressors are tools that raise the gas pressure. Most of the
time, the air is compressed gas. In addition to oxygen, nitrogen, and other vital industrial
gases, natural gas is compressed for a variety of uses. There are three different types of
compressors:

• Axial
• Centrifugal
• positive displacement.

Reciprocating piston compressors are the most common type of positive displacement
compressor. They are helpful for supplying a small quantity of gas while the pressure is
elevated. Rotary screw compressors and sliding rotary compressors are additional varieties
of positive displacement compressors. The kinetic energy of the gas is increased by
centrifugal compressors' high-speed impellers, and this energy is then used to raise the
pressure in the exit corridor's mixed-called publisher. Large volumes of pressure gas at
moderate pressure are especially suited for centrifugal compressors.

In axial compressors, the gas flows radially outward in the shape of aerodynamic blades or
in rows parallel to the rotor's axis of rotation. A similar number of rows of rotor blades
extend from and are installed in a fixed rotor casing that surrounds it. The speed of the
compressor increases and decreases as gas flows through it. The gas's kinetic energy
increases with each increase in speed and is converted to higher pressures with each
decrease in speed. These jet engines are used in the gas turbines and air compressors on the
craft.
2 Theory
𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝑒 𝑎𝑖𝑟 𝑑𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑑𝑒 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑢𝑡𝑒
𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐 𝐸𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦 =
𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑠𝑤𝑒𝑝𝑡 𝑏𝑦 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑛 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑢𝑡𝑒

(𝑡1 + 273) 𝐻 ∗ 𝑀2
𝐹𝑟𝑒𝑒 𝑎𝑖𝑟 𝑑𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑦 = 𝐾 ∗ ∗√
𝑃1 (𝑡 + 273)

Where,

the constant of the Orifice meter K= 7.52*10-2

t1 – temperature of the air at the Orifice

P1 – Barometer reading in mm of Hg

H – observed head upstream of the Orifice meter in inches of water

h – observed head downstream of the orifice meter in inches of water

t – atmospheric air temperature

ℎ
𝑀2 = 𝑃1 − ( ) 𝑚𝑚 𝑜𝑓 𝐻𝑔
13.6

And,

Number of cylinders of the compressor – 2

Bore – 101.6mm

Stroke – 101.6mm

𝐵𝑜𝑟𝑒 2
Cross sectional area of the piston head = A = 𝜋 × ( )
2

3 Equipment
• Broom Wade two-stage air compressor plant comprising the water-cooled intercooler
and a swinging field electric dynamometer
• Cooling water circuit
• High pressure vessel as a load
• Thermometers
 • Orifice meter
• Pressure gauges

4 Procedure
• Verify that the cooling water supply and discharge valves are fully open.
• Before starting the motor, it must be completely unloaded.
• This test only utilized the air compressor's first stage.
• Therefore, use the clutch to disengage the first and second stages.
• The air compressor was turned on and run for approximately two minutes at 3000,
4000, and 500 rpm (conduct the test for three rpm values).
• The test was started, and during the practical, required readings were taken.
• Ensure that a constant compressor rpm was maintained and that the pressure at the
air receiver was maintained constant at the required value while the value was being
taken.
5 Observations

6 Calculation
Calculation for 15 psi delivery pressure for 300 rpm

H = 2.17 inch

h = 0.24 inch

P1 = 15 × 51.7149 = 775.72 mmHg

 0.24×2.54
M2 = 775.72 – = 774.89 mmHg
13.6

𝐹𝑟𝑒𝑒 𝑎𝑖𝑟 𝑑𝑒𝑙𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑦 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑢𝑡𝑒

(28 + 273) 2.17 × 2.54 × 774.89

= 7.52 × 10−2 × ×√
775.72 28 + 273

𝐹𝑟𝑒𝑒 𝑎𝑖𝑟 𝑑𝑒𝑙𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑦 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑢𝑡𝑒 = 0.109916 𝑚³/𝑚𝑖𝑛

𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑘𝑒 𝑏𝑦 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑛 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑢𝑡𝑒 = 𝐴 × Stroke × No of cylinders ×

𝑉𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑟𝑝𝑚

𝜋 × 0.10162
= × 0.1016 × 2 × 300
4

= 0.4942 𝑚3 /𝑚𝑖𝑛

0.109916
ɳ = Volumetric Efficiency = × 100% = 22.24 %
0.4942
7 Results
• The volumetric efficiency vs delivery pressure

Load/p1(psi) volumetric efficiency

0
15 22.26279877
30 13.08763516
45 15.11293011
60 11.20821873

volumetric efficiency
25

20

15

10

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
 • The free air delivery vs rpm for different loads

Load/p1(psi) Free air delivery per minute

0
15 0.109971916
30 0.064649208
45 0.074653591
60 0.055365424

Fre air delivery per minute

0.12

0.1

0.08

0.06

0.04

0.02

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
8 Discussion

I. Why this lab exercise is useful? Where can the results be used in engineering
design/industry?
In the world of engineering, piston engines are used in numerous applications.
Therefore, we must maximize these engines' efficiency and minimize energy
waste. We are going to learn how the volumetric efficiency varies depending on
load in order to gain some knowledge. With the help of those results, we can
determine the load to use and the machine's operating speed that will result in
maximum efficiency. These findings are primarily used in the automotive
industry. These results are also used by the pneumatic tool and refrigeration
industries. In other words, we can say that these findings will benefit all of the gas
turbine, piston engine, and high-pressure liquid and gas industries.
When designing piston engines, the main factors considered are the amount of
compression and the rise in cylinder pressure. The best compression ratios that the
piston engine's material can withstand are discovered through practical testing.
Similar in the industry that makes boilers. Many industrial applications rely on the
metallurgical limits of the constituent parts, and if they can use the maximum
limits of the properties of the gases or liquids, it becomes more economically
advantageous. In order to increase the industry's cost effectiveness and design
components well, these practical results will be used.
II. Explain the volumetric efficiency of an air compressor?
The ratio of the volume of free air delivered to the compressor per unit time to the
volume swept by the piston per unit time is known as the volumetric efficiency.
More specifically, volumetric efficiency is a ratio (or percentage) between the
volume of the cylinder that is swept under static conditions and the amount of air
that is trapped by the cylinder during induction. Volumetric efficiency in the case
of forced induction can exceed 100%.
In essence, volumetric efficiency is lower than it first appears as a result of the
clearance volume that must be taken into consideration. That is what accounts for
the discrepancy between theoretical and actual values, which results from the
compressed air volume inside the cylinder. The clearance volume is caused when
not all of the compressed gas discharges through the discharge valves after being
delivered through them. Due to the high internal pressure, the suction valve does
not open immediately when the piston descends. By extension, clearance volume.
 As a result, the suction stroke gas is wasted, which lowers the compressor's
volumetric efficiency.
III. What are the factors that affect the volumetric efficiency?
1. Induction and exhaust system flow friction - because of the flow friction,
pressure drops occur in the inlet across the air filter.
2. Induction system heat transfer
3. Valve time effects –
At low engine speed, amount of mixture that entered the cylinder during the
intake is pushed back into the intake by Loving piston, during the
compression stroke prior to inlet valve closing
At high engine speed, high momentum of the air in the intake manifold
towards the cylinder set up during the intake stroke forces additional air into
the cylinder the intake valve remains open.
During the valve overlap period between inlet valve opening and exhaust
valve closing, both valves are open. The amount of overlap, and engine
speed, affect the residua friction
4. Valve flow friction
5. In cylinder heat transfer - incoming air is cooler than the cylinder walls. So that
heat transfer from walls to air decrease the density of the air.
6. Intake tuning
7. Delivery pressure
8. Clearance volume of the piston
9. Number of stages in the compressor
10. Speed of rotation of the compressor
11. Operating temperature
12. Valve operating speed
13. Method of cooling
14. Method of closing isothermal processes.

IV. What is the meaning of free air delivery?

That entails converting the actual amount of compressed air to the compressor's
inlet conditions. Actually, this quantifies the compressor's internal capacity. That
is the actual air that has been compressed at the compressor's inlet condition. To
significantly increase the effectiveness of the cooling process, a good compressor
should deliver more free air.
 V. Considering the steady flow energy equation, indicate the possible variations of
pressure and temperature along the line from the compressor outlet to the orifice
meter.
o Variation in temperature
The temperature can change in a variety of ways from the compressor outlet
to the orifice meter. For instance,
a) a drop in temperature at the outlet pipe
Due to the outlet pipeline’s length to a certain extent, heat transfer
between the pipe line and the atmosphere occurs.
b) A decrease in temperature at the pressure-regulating gate
The turbulence produced by the opening and closing mechanisms
will aid in destroying some of the flow's kinetic energy, leading to a
drop in temperature.
c) The storing tank's temperature drops.
The temperature decreased as a result of some heat energy being lost
to the surroundings in the storage tank.
o Variation in pressure
Pressurized air is actually stored in a tank before being released into an
orifice meter. So that there will be a pressure drop at the tank's inlet and
outlet from the compressor. Additionally, the numerous gates and valves that
air must pass through result in a slight pressure drop.
VI. Indicate a more accurate method of measuring the absolute pressure upstream of
the orifice meter.
To measure the pressure at the orifice, we use a u-tube. We must raise the height
of the liquid columns in order to obtain accurate results. Thus, lowering reading
errors. Here, we must use a liquid with a lower density than the liquid we used in
the practical.
Additionally, we can directly measure pressure accurately and lower human error
by using calibrated pressure sensors rather than U tubes.
VII. Give possible reasons for the discrepancies observed between the experimental
values and the expected values
These changes primarily result from human and technical errors. Instead, because
they are real and behave differently from how an ideal gas would, liquids and
gases are not ideal ones. We design our system based on the ideal substance
 behavior. Additionally, the system experiences heat losses. Longer steel tubes that
dissipate heat outside make up the compressor test rig.
Because the engine's speed varies throughout the practical, the final values will
differ from the others. The atmosphere's temperature will also change. The
practical is also impacted by that.
We round some numbers because we have to translate some values into different
units of measurement.
VIII. Suggest the methods to minimize the errors of the experiment.
o To prevent heat rejection to the outside, tubes and other steel components
must be covered.
o To read the heights of the liquid columns, one must have a keen eye.
o The liquid column heights and temperatures must be read at eye level.
o As quickly as possible readings must be taken because the state will change
quickly.
9 Reference

[1] L. Dilshan, “Volumetric efficient of a compressor,” Slideshare.net. [Online].

Available: https://www.slideshare.net/Lahiru_Dilshan/volumetric-efficient-of-a-
compressor-84681733. [Accessed: 12-Sep-2022].