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Test of An Air Compressor ME LAB 2
Test of An Air Compressor ME LAB 2
Compressor Pump
The pump is the instrument that allows air to be
compressed and discharged into the receiver. It is very
common to have two-stage air compressors and these require
two cylinder pumps to work. These compressors can produce
from 145-175 PSI by compressing the air twice. This is done by
first compressing the air in the larger, low pressure cylinder,
then onto the smaller, high pressure cylinder.
Tank
This is the compressor part that stores the air being
compressed. It is the biggest part of the air compressor and it
can range from 1-10 gallons or even more for bigger
construction needs.
Pressure Switch
The pressure switch automatically shuts down the motor
when the receiver reaches the factory-set limit. Once the
pressure level drops to a pre-set level then the pressure switch
restarts the motor therefore resuming the pumping of air by the
compressor. You can call this as an emergency switch that
regulates how much pressure your tank can take.
Drain Valve
The main purpose of the drain valve is exactly what its
name implies. It drains the oil, dirt, moisture, and other debris
that might be trapped inside the tank. Simple maintenance of
air compressors entail draining a tank from impurities and
debris from use. Moisture and oil are the most common
reasons for rust to develop inside the tank when not drained.
Pressure Gauge
This gauge measures compressed air pressure in the tank of the
air compressor. It lets the user know that there is a problem if the
measurement is higher than the regulated normal limit and serves as
a warning to inspect the air compressor or stop the compression
before the gauge reaches even higher measurements. On the
contrary, if the reading is very low from the normal allowed
measurement, it also indicates a problem with the compressor such
as a leak in the tank. This should also be checked right away to avoid
any more complications and accidents.
6 3–9
10 9 –30
16 27 –90
22 60 – 170
33 130 – 375
50 300 – 450
80 750 – 2000
125 1800 – 5500
165 3500 - 10000
Measurements and duration of the test
The compressor starts with the air from the receiver
discharging to the atmosphere through the flow nozzle.
• Receiver pressure
• Pressure and temperature before the nozzle
• Pressure drop across the nozzle
• Speed of the compressor
• kW, kWh and amps drawn by the compressor
The above readings are taken for the 40%, 60%, 100% and
110% of discharge pressure values.
Measuring instruments required for test:
• Thermometers or Thermocouple
• Pressure gauges or Manometers
• Standard Nozzle
• Psychrometer
• Tachometer/stroboscope
• Electrical demand analyser
• Differential pressure gauges or Manometers
1. Free air delivered (FAD)
2. Isothermal Efficiency
Power consumption, kW
Free air delivered, cu. m/hr
4. Volumetric Efficiency
Calculation of Isothermal Efficiency for a
Reciprocating Air Compressor.
Step 1 : Calculate Volumetric Flow Rate
Step 2 : Calculate Isothermal Power
Requirement
Step 3 : Calculate Isothermal Efficiency
(48.34)(100)/86 = 56%
Specific power consumption=Actual power consumed by
the compressor/Measured Free Air Delivery