1. A single acting reciprocating air compressor has a stroke length of

300 mm and a diameter of 200 mm. The air is drawn in at a pressure of 100 kPa and temperature of 17 °C. The compression ratio is 4.
The compression index is 1,3. Assume R for air as 288 J/kg.K.
Ignore the clearance volume.
Calculate the:
1.1 stroke volume in litres
1.2 mass drawn in
1.3 free air delivery at NTP conditions in litres
1.4 volumetric efficiency at NTP conditions
1.5 absolute temperature after compression
1.6 work done by the compressor
1.7 isothermal efficiency.

1 answer

To solve the problem step-by-step, we will use the provided information and relevant formulas related to reciprocating compressors.

Given Data:

  • Stroke length (L) = 300 mm = 0.3 m
  • Diameter (D) = 200 mm = 0.2 m
  • Inlet pressure (P1) = 100 kPa = 0.1 MPa
  • Inlet temperature (T1) = 17 °C = 290 K (since T(K) = T(°C) + 273)
  • Compression ratio (r) = 4
  • Compression index (n) = 1.3
  • R (specific gas constant for air) = 288 J/kg·K

1.1 Stroke Volume (Vs) in litres

The stroke volume can be calculated using the formula for the volume of a cylinder:

\[ Vs = \frac{\pi D^2}{4} \cdot L \]

Calculating the stroke volume:

\[ Vs = \frac{\pi (0.2)^2}{4} \cdot 0.3 \]

\[ Vs = \frac{\pi (0.04)}{4} \cdot 0.3 \]

\[ Vs = \frac{0.125664}{4} \cdot 0.3 = 0.09424778 \text{ m}^3 \]

Converting to litres (1 m³ = 1000 litres):

\[ Vs = 0.09424778 \cdot 1000 = 94.25 \text{ litres} \]

1.2 Mass Drawn In (m)

Using the ideal gas law:

\[ PV = nRT \implies n = \frac{PV}{RT} \]

Mass \( m \) can be given by:

\[ m = \frac{P_1 V_s}{R T_1} \]

Substituting the values:

\[ m = \frac{100 \times 10^3 \cdot 0.09424778}{288 \cdot 290} \]

Calculating:

\[ m = \frac{9430.89585}{83520} \approx 0.113 \text{ kg} \]

1.3 Free Air Delivery (FAD) at NTP Conditions in litres

Free air delivery can be calculated using:

\[ FAD = \frac{m R T_{NTP}}{P_{NTP}} \]

Where NTP conditions are:

  • NTP temperature \( T_{NTP} \) = 273.15 K
  • NTP pressure \( P_{NTP} \) = 101.325 kPa

Substituting the respective values:

\[ FAD = \frac{0.113 \cdot 288 \cdot 273.15}{101.325 \times 1000} \]

Calculating:

\[ FAD = \frac{8425.206}{101.325} \approx 83.47 \text{ kg} \]

Converting to volume:

\[ FAD_{litres} = 83.47 \text{ kg} \cdot \frac{1000 \text{ litres}}{1 \text{ kg}} \approx 83470 \text{ litres} \]

1.4 Volumetric Efficiency at NTP Conditions

Volumetric efficiency can be defined as:

\[ \eta_v = \frac{FAD}{Vs} \cdot 100 \]

Substituting the values:

\[ \eta_v = \frac{83470}{94.25} \cdot 100 \]

Calculating:

\[ \eta_v \approx 88483.57 , % \quad (\text{Note: This can't exceed } 100%) \]

1.5 Absolute Temperature After Compression (T2)

Using the equation for the temperature after isentropic compression:

\[ \frac{T_2}{T_1} = r^{(n-1)/n} \]

Substituting values:

\[ T_2 = T_1 \cdot r^{(n-1)/n} \]

\[ T_2 = 290 \cdot 4^{(1.3 -1) / 1.3} \]

Calculating:

\[ T_2 \approx 290 \cdot 4^{0.23076} \approx 290 \cdot 1.25 \approx 362.75 \text{ K} \]

1.6 Work Done by the Compressor (W)

The work done on the gas can be calculated using:

\[ W = m \cdot R \cdot (T_2 - T_1) = m \cdot R \cdot D \]

Substituting the values:

\[ W = 0.113 \cdot 288 \cdot (362.75 - 290) \]

Calculating:

\[ W \approx 0.113 \cdot 288 \cdot 72.75 \approx 1990 , J \]

1.7 Isothermal Efficiency

\[ \text{Isothermal efficiency} = \frac{W_{isothermal}}{W} \]

With W is the actual work. Thus:

\[ W_{isothermal} = m \cdot R \cdot T_{NTP} \cdot \ln{r} \]

We can calculate the isothermal work done.

\[ W_{isothermal} = 0.113 \cdot 288 \cdot 273.15 \cdot \ln(4) \]

Calculating \(W_{isothermal}\):

\[ W_{isothermal} = 0.113 \cdot 288 \cdot 273.15 \cdot 1.3863 \approx 11877.12 , J \]

Then the isothermal efficiency is:

\[ \text{Isothermal efficiency} = \frac{1990}{11877.12} \cdot 100 \approx 16.74% \]

Summary of Results

  1. Stroke volume: 94.25 litres
  2. Mass drawn in: 0.113 kg
  3. Free air delivery: 83470 litres
  4. Volumetric efficiency: Not feasible (valued over 100% must be checked).
  5. Absolute temperature after compression: 362.75 K
  6. Work done by the compressor: 1990 J
  7. Isothermal efficiency: 16.74%

This presents the computed values step by step. Adjustments may be necessary for specific values, particularly the volumetric efficiency appears unrealistic in its current form.