MECH 450

Refrigeration
CHAPTER (5)
Refrigerant compressor
Lecture Notes by
Dr.Hosam Eldin Elsayed Mohamed
Assistant professor
Engineering College
Fahad Bin Sultan University
Refrigeration System Components

video

2
Compressors:
• It removes low temperature and low pressure
refrigerant vapours from the cooling coil through the
suction line.
• It compresses these refrigerant vapours by increasing
the pressure and temperature resulting in an increase
of boiling point of the refrigerant,
• It discharges the refrigerant vapours of
temperature pressure condenser high
through
and discharge to
line.
3
 How they are different from pumps?
•Major difference is that compressors handles the gases and pumps
handles the liquids.

•As gases are compressible, the compressor also reduces the

volume of gas.

•Liquids are relatively incompressible; while some can be

compressed
 Applications
Compressors have many everyday uses, such as in :

• Air conditioners, (car, home)

• Pneumatic devices

• Home and industrial refrigeration

• Hydraulic compressors for industrial machines

• Air compressors for industrial manufacturing

1.0 Compressors types
There are mainly two types of compressors in use:
i.Positive displacement type
ii. Dynamic type

• Positive displacement type (Reciprocating and rotary

compressors) are more commonly used for small
capacities but for lower evaporator temperatures.
• Dynamic type (Centrifugal compressors) are essentially
large discharge capacity compressors. These are preferred
for higher evaporator temperatures applications like, water
chillers and air conditioners.
• They offer high efficiency but are expensive.
6
 .Classification of compressors
(a)Based on the working principle:
i. Positive displacement type
ii. Dynamic type
 ?What are dynamic compressors •

The dynamic compressor is Operate by accelerating the •

air and converting the energy to pressure
It is widely used in chemical and petroleum refinery •
.industry for specific services
There are two types of dynamic compressors:- •
( direction of flow)
Centrifugal Compressor .1
Axial Flow Compressor .2
?What are positive displacement compressors
Positive displacement compressors Operate by trapping a specific
volume of air and forcing it into a smaller volume

It can be further classified according to the mechanism used to

.move air
Rotary Compressor .1
Reciprocating compressor .2
(b)Based on arrangement of compressor motor
or external drive:
1. Open type
2. Hermetic (or sealed) type
3. Semi-hermetic (or semi-sealed) type
Hermetic ‫ محكم‬- ancient Greek word for “secret”, airtight
container.
• Welded into a steel shell
• Internal springs
• Suction cooled motor
Semi hermetic :-
• Cast iron shell is bolted together, not welded
• Some service repairs on job:
Valve plates and oil changes
• Can be rebuilt by factory
• Air cooled, suction cooled, and water cooled
• External spring mounted
Compressor types

Hermetic

Open type

Semi hermetic
:Hermitically Sealed Compressor

12
Hermetic Compressor Suction Cooled

Suction Vapor
Motor

Discharge Hot Gas

Welded Shell

Hermetically“
”Sealed
Spring mounted

Pistons & Refrigeration

ValvesTraining Services Crankshaft
- R2 2004 ©
Subject 2 Compressors v1.2 13
:According to number of stages) c(
 Single stage compressor – Low delivery pressure(≤10 bar)
 Multi stage compressor – High delivery pressure(≥10 bar)
According to final(delivery) pressure of gas )d(
 Low pressure compressors : final pressure < 10 bar
 Medium pressure compressors : final pressure between 10 bar
to 80 bar
 High pressure compressors : final pressure between 80 bar to
1000 bar
:According to pressure ratio )e(
 Fan : pressure ratio <1.1
 Blower : pressure ratio >1.1 and <2.3
 Compressors : pressure ratio >2.3
According to quantity of air delivered )f(
:)capacity(
Low capacity : volume flow rate<10
Medium capacity : volume flow rate between
to 300 10
High capacity : volume flow rate >300
(g) According to number of cylinders
• Single cylinder
• Multi cylinder • Single cylinder

(h) According to type of fluid to be

compressed
• Air compressor
• Gas compressor
• Vapor compressor

• Multi cylinder
:According to methods of cooling)i(
Water cooled air compressors
Air cooled air compressors
:According to arrangements of cylinders)j(
Vertical
Horizontal
V – type

Vertical V – type

V – type
 1.1Reciprocating compressor

It is a positive-displacement compressor that

Uses pistons driven by a crankshaft to 

.deliver gases at high pressure

The intake gas enters the suction manifold,

then flows into the compression cylinder

It gets compressed by a piston driven in a

,reciprocating motion via a crankshaft

Discharged at higher pressure

1.1.2 Reciprocating Compressor types:-

• Single – Acting compressor

it is a compressor that has one discharge per
revolution of crankshaft.
• Double – Acting Compressor
It is a compressor that completes two discharge
strokes per revolutions of crankshaft. Most heavy-
duty compressors are double acting..
Reciprocating Compressor:

19
Reciprocating Compressor

Single Acting
Reciprocating Compressor

Double Acting
1.1.3 Advantages of multi-staging compressor
 Reduction in power required to drive the compressor.
 Better mechanical balance of the whole unit and uniform
torque.
 Increase in volumetric efficiency.
 Reduced leakage loss.
 Less difficulty in lubrication due to low working temperature.
 Lighter cylinders can be used.
 Cheaper materials can be used for construction as the
operating temperature is lower.
Advantages of multi-staging compressor

 •Oil-free compression due to hermetic separation

between gas and oil chamber
 • Abrasion-free compression due to static seals in the
gas stream.
 • Automatic shutdown in case of a diaphragm failure
prevents damage
 • Discharge pressure up to (3,000 bar)
 Reciprocating
Compressor

Pistons go
up & down

Crankshaft rotates

Refrigeration Training Services - R2 2004 ©

Subject 2 Compressors v1.2 25
Rotary Vane compressors (video) 1.2

The gas is compressed by the rotating

.action of a roller inside a cylinder

The roller rotates off-centre around a

shaft so that part of the roller is always
 .in contact with the cylinder

Volume of the gas occupies is reduced 

.and the refrigerant is compressed

High efficient , as sucking and

compressing refrigerant occur
.simultaneously
:Rotary Vane Compressor cases

27
Rotary Vane Compressor (another type) 1-2

28
 Discharge out Rotary Compressor

Suction in

Rotary Vane

29
 Screw Compressor(video) 1-3

 It operates with 2 helical rotors that rotate toward each

other, causing the teeth to mesh.
 As the left rotor turns clockwise, the right rotor rotates
counterclockwise. This forces the gases to become trapped
in the central cavity.
 The 2 rotors are attached to a drive shaft and drive that
provide energy to operate the compressor.
 Have an inlet suction line and outlet discharge port. 30
:Screw Compressor
Scroll Compressor: (video) 1-4

WORKING PRINCIPLE
32
Scroll Compressor 1-4
A scroll compressor operating in reverse is known as a •
scroll expander, and can be used to generate
mechanical work from the expansion of a fluid,
‫استخدامه إلنشاء أعمال‬
.compressed air‫ويمكن‬
or، ‫التمرير‬
gas‫يُعرف ضاغط التمرير الذي يعمل في االتجاه المعاكس باسم موسع‬
.‫ميكانيكية من خالل توسيع السوائل أو الهواء المضغوط أو الغاز‬
Advantages of Scroll Compressors
1. The absence of pistons for gas compression
enables scroll compressors to reach 100%
volumetric efficiency, leading to reduced
.energy costs
2. Re-expansion losses, a typical feature of
each piston stroke encountered in
reciprocating models, are eliminated. In
,addition, valve (ports) losses are eliminated
‫ سمة نموذجية من كل اشواط المكبس الذى يواجه في‬، ‫ إعادة التوسع في الخسائر‬Scroll Compressor
‫الن صمامات الشفط والتفريغ غير‬،‫ وعلى خسائر صمام‬.‫تم القضاء عليها‬، ‫نماذج الترددية‬
.‫موجودة‬
• ADVANTAGES.....
since suction and discharge valves (ports) do not exist.
3. Sroll compressors are considerably
quieter in operation compared to other types of
.compressors, like for example reciprocating type ones
• Disadvantages of Scroll Compressors
Being fully hermetic, perhaps the biggest •
disadvantage of scroll compressors is that they are
generally not easily repairable. They cannot be
.disassembled for maintenance .

• APPLICATIONS
Since their introduction, scroll compressors have been successfully •
used in applications involving food and fruit refrigeration, truck
transportation, marine containers as well as residential and small to
medium scale commercial air-conditioning applications
‫ ونقل‬، ‫ تم استخدام ضواغط التمرير بنجاح في التطبيقات التي تشتمل على تبريد األغذية والفواكه‬، ‫منذ تقديمها‬
‫ والحاويات البحرية وكذلك تطبيقات تكييف الهواء التجارية الصغيرة والمتوسطة الحجم‬، ‫الشاحنات‬
Scroll Compressor by Tecumseh
:Scroll Compressor

Suction in

Discharge out

Suction
Discharge
Intermediate
Oil

35
 Centrifugal Compressor(video) 1.5

Achieves compression by applying inertial forces to the gas by •

.means of rotating impellers
It is multiple stage ; each stage consists of an impeller as the •
rotating element and the stationary element, i.e. diffuser (volute
casing )
Fluid flow enters the impeller axially and discharged radially •

The gas next flows through a circular chamber (diffuser), •

.where it loses velocity and increases pressure

• Usually operate at speeds > 3,000 rpm.

• Deliver much higher flow rates than positive displacement
compressors
:Centrifugal Compressor 1-5

37
Carrier Centrifugal Chiller

Carrier Centrifugal Chiller

Photo
Refrigeration Training Services - R2 2004 © by Mike Day
Subject 2 Compressors v1.2 38
 1.6 Axial flow compressor(video)
Working fluid principally flows parallel to the axis of rotation.

 The energy level of air or gas flowing through it is increased by

the action of the rotor blades which exert a torque on the fluid
Have the benefits of high efficiency and
large mass flow rate (advent.)

Require several rows of airfoils to achieve

large pressure rises making them complex and
expensive (disadv)
Advantages and Disadvantages of dynamic •
compressors
Advantages Disadvantages

Dynamic
Compressors

Centrifugal •Wide operating range •Instability at reduced flow

•High reliability •Sensitive to gas composition
•Low Maintenance change

Axial •High Capacity for given size •Low Compression ratios

•High efficiency •Limited turndown ‫خفضمحدود‬
•Heavy duty
•Low maintenance
 Advantages and disadvantages of positive •
displacement type compressor
Advantages Disadvantages
Positive displacement
compressor
Reciprocating •Wide pressure ratios •Heavy foundation required
•High efficiency •Flow pulsation
•High maintenance

Scroll Compressor •High volumetric -not easily repairable.

efficiency
• low Re-expansion losses
•quieter in operation

Screw •Wide application •Expensive

•High efficiency •Unsuitable for corrosive or dirty
•High pressure ratio gases

Vane •Low cost •Single stage

•Low maintenance •Low efficiency
•Long life •Limited pressure
GENERAL COMPRESSOR SIZES
2. Power and efficiency of
Reciprocating Compressor
 Piston-cylinder terminologies

TDC – Top Dead Center

BDC – Bottom Dead Center
Piston-cylinder terminologies

b – Bore, Diameter
s – Stroke
l – Connecting Rod Length
a – Crank Throw = ½ stroke
Block diagram of reciprocating compressor

It is a piston and cylinder

device with (automatic)
spring controlled inlet and
exhaust valves

There is a clearance
between the piston crown
and the top of the
.cylinder
= Pressure Ratio =
 Compressor Operation
Work without clearance volume
• Process d – a : Intake or Induction
– Piston moves from TDC to BDC
– Intake valve opens and air induced into
cylinder
– Pressure P1 and temperature T1 remain
constant.
• Process a – b : Compression
– Intake valve closes and piston moves
towards TDC
– Compression follows the polytropic process
Pvn=c until P2 is reached.
 Compressor Operation
Work without clearance volume

• Process b – c : Delivery
Delivery valve opens –
.Compressed air exits and delivered –
.Pressure P2 and temperature T2 remain constant –
• Process c – d : Expansion
– Both valves remain closed as the cycle returns to
the initial state
– Constant volume if without clearance
– Polytropic expansion if with clearance
Condition of Minimum Work We aim to reduce the input work
Work without clearance volume
Work done = Area under P-V curve 3 ’2 2 ” 2 PV  C
P2
)Isothermal

(
PV  C
)Adiabatic (
PV  C
n

4 1)Polytropic(
P1
• Only the compression process can be
adjusted by varying n, the polytropic index. T- s digram V2 V1
• Isothermal process (n=1) results in
minimum work (smallest area).
• Compressors are cooled by water
jackets or cooling fins.
• PV=mRT so , any Work have
2forms.
• Adiabatic compression
Isothermal compression work

=W

=or W
Solved Example :-1
A single stage reciprocating compressor is required to compress 1.5
m3/min of vapor refrigerant from 1 bar to 8 bar. Find the power required
to drive the compressor, if the compression of refrigerant is 1,
isothermal 2, poly tropic with polytropic index as 1.12 ; and 3. isentropic
with isentropic index as 1 .31.

Solution: Given : V1= 1.5 m3/min, P1 = 1 bar = 1*105 N/m2,

P2 = 8 bar = 8*105 N/m2, n=1.12, Υ = 1.31
W=6.67 kW 6666.66=400000/60=
 • Compressors work with Clearance
Clearance volume is Vc.
‫= لاـمجتاح‬Swept
6 3 2
P2

PV n
C

5 4 1
P1
V3 V4 V1
,Clearance Volume Effective Swept Volume, V1-V4V =
V3=Vc =Swept Volume, V1-V3 Vp s

Total Volume, V1

• Clearance volume it is Volume that remains inside the cylinder after the piston
reaches the end of its inward stroke.
• Clearance is needed for free movements of piston and valves
• When delivery is completed (2-3),there is still compressed air at P2and T2 in the
clearance volume.
• When intake stroke begins at V3, no outside air can enter yet until the residual
compressed air has expanded down to P1 and T1.
• Thus, having clearance reduces the volume of inducted air from (V1-V3)
originally to only (V1-V4)
 2. Work in Reciprocating Compressor
Work with clearance volume
6 3 2 1->2 compression
P2
2->3 discharge)delivery)
3->4 expansion
4->1 induction(intake)

PV n  C
5 4 1
P1
V3 V4 V1

Effective Swept Volume, V1-V4

Vs=
Clearance Volume
V3=Vc
Vp
=Swept Volume, V1-V3

Total Volume, V1

: Remember that
 Work with clearance volume
6 3 2
P2

PV n
C

5 4 1
P1
V3 V4 V1
,Clearance Volume Effective Swept Volume, V1-V4 V =
s
V3=Vc =Swept Volume, V1-V3 Vp
Total Volume, V1

V1 = VP+VC P4 = P1 and P3 = P2

ctual or polytropic work PV=mRT

j=N.m

} kJ/cycle
• Effect Of Exponent difference on Work
The effect of the clearance volume on the work of
compression is mainly due to the different values of the
.exponents of the compression and expansion processes
• If the exponents are different, the net work is given by
(Compression by n and Expansion by m exponent )

(;Compression and Expansion follow same Law).

Solved Example 2
 F.A.D Free Air Delivery.
Free Air Delivery (F.A.D.) : If the volume of the air compressor is reduced to
atmospheric temperature and pressure, this volume of air is called FAD
(m3/min)
• or FAD is the amount of air handled (delivered) by the compressor
• intake mass of airP
=tV P1 V
Delivered 1  V4 
mass of air P2 V2  V3 
t
 
Tt T1 T2

If clearance volume is neglected PtVt PV PV

 1 1  2 2
Where Tt T1 T2

Pt  101.325 KN / m 2
Tt  150 C  288 K
 Reciprocating Compressor – Volumetric Efficiency
Volumetric Efficiency :
• (1) Ratio of free air delivered to the displacement of the
compressor.

• Presence of Clearance Volume Volumetric Efficiency less than 1. ( 60 – 85 % )

(2) Ratio of Effective Swept Volume to Swept

P2
6 3 2  Volume.
Effective Swept Volume
Volumetric Efficiency =
Swept Volume
PV n  C
V1 – V4
5 4 1 =
P1 V1 – V3
V3 V4 V1
Clearance Volume
Clearance Ratio =
Effective Swept Volume, V1-V4 Swept Volume
Clearance Volume,
V3=Vc Swept Volume, V1-V3=VP Vc
= = C or (K) ( 3 – 10 % )
Total Volume, V1
VP
 Effect of Pressure ratio on Volumetric
Efficiency
• The clearance or gap between the TDC position of the
piston and cylinder head is necessary in reciprocating
compressors to provide for thermal expansion and
machining tolerances.

But , V1 = VP+VC

Also P4 = P1 and P3 = P2
 Reciprocating Compressor – Efficiency

Isothermal work done / cycle = Area of P – V Diagram

= P1V1 loge(P2/P1)

Isothermal Power = P1V1 loge(P2/P1) N kW

60 X 1000

Indicated Power : Power obtained from the actual indicator card taken during a
test on the compressor.

Compressor Efficiency = Isothermal Power

Indicated Power

Isothermal Efficiency = Isothermal Power

Shaft Power
NOTE : Shaft Power = Brake Power required to drive the Compressor.
Block diagram(elect)
Motor- compressor (shaft power)- indicated- thermal
 Reciprocating Compressor – Efficiency

The actual power input into the compressor is larger than the
.indicated power, to overcome friction and other losses
Shaft power = Indicated power + Friction power loss

Mechanical Efficiency : Ratio of mechanical output to mechanical input.

Mechanical Efficiency, ηmech = Indicated Power

Shaft Power

Block diagram(elect)
Motor- compressor (shaft power)- indicated- thermal
 quiz
single stage single acting reciprocating compressor receive vapor refrigerant
at 1bar and deliver at 6 bar . The bore and stroke of the compressor are 100
mm and 150 mm respectively. The clearance ratio is 3% of the swept volume
:Assuming the index of compression and expansion to be 1.3, find
i. Volumetric efficiency of the compressor
ii. Power required to drive compressor, if runs at 400 rpm
iii. Shaft power if Mechanical efficiency =0.85
Solved Example 3
 Solved Example 4
. single stage single acting air compressor delivers 0.6 kg of air per minute at 6 bar
The temperature and pressure at the end of suction stroke are 30oC and 1 bar. The bore
and stroke of the compressor are 100 mm and 150 mm respectively. The clearance is 3%
:of the swept volume Assuming the index of compression and expansion to be 1.3. find
i. Volumetric efficiency of the compressor
ii. Power required if the mechanical efficiency is 85%,(shaft power) and
iii. Speed of the compressor (r.p.m)
Solution
Given
Mass of air delivered, m=0.6kg/min ;Delivery Pressure, p2 =6 bar ; Induction Pressure, p1 =1 bar
Induction température, T1 = 30 + 273 = 303 K ;Bore, D= 100mm = 0.1m;
Stroke length ,L=150mm = 0.15 m ;Clearance volume, Vc = 0.03 Vp ;Mechanical efficiency =85%
shaft power

=
 Reciprocating Compressor – Efficiency
How to Increase Isothermal Efficiency ?

A. Spray Injection : Assimilation‫ استيعـاب‬of water into the compressor cylinder towards the
compression stroke.
Object is to cool the air for next operation.

Demerits : 1. Requires special gear for injection.

2. Injected water interferes with the cylinder lubrication.
3. Damage to cylinder walls and valves.
Water must be separated before delivery of air.

B. Water Jacketing : Circulating water around the cylinder to help for cooling the
air during compression.
 Reciprocating Compressor – Efficiency
How to Increase Isothermal Efficiency ?

C. Inter – Cooling : For high speed and high Pr. Ratio compressors.
Compressed air from earlier stage is cooled to its original
temperature before passing it to the next stage.

D. External Fins : For small capacity compressors, fins on external surfaces are useful.

E. Cylinder Proportions‫ناسب‬
‫تــ‬ : Short stroke and large bore provides much greater surface
for cooling.
Cylinder head surface is far more effective than barrel surface.
 Reciprocating Compressor – Actual P-V Diagram

Receiver Pressure 1-2-3-4-1 : Theoretical P-V Diagram.

3 2 At 4, inlet valve does not open due to :

P2
1. There must be a pressure difference across the valve to open.
2. Inlet valve inertia.
Pr. Drop continues till sufficient level
Atmospheric Pressure for valve to force its seat.
Intake Depression
4 Some valve bounce is set (wavy line).
1
P1 Eventually, the pressure sets down at a level lower
Valve Bounce than atmospheric pressure. This negative pressure
difference is known as Intake Depression.
Similar situation appears at 2, i.e. at the start of the delivery.

Pressure rise, followed by valve bounce and then pressure settles at a level higher than
the delivery pressure level.

Air delivery to a tank / receiver, hence, generally known as Receiver Pressure.

 3. Reciprocating Compressor – Multistage
High Pressure required by Single – Stage :

 1. Requires heavy working parts.

2. Has to accommodate high pressure ratios‫ استيعاـب‬.
3. Increased balancing problems.
4. High Torque fluctuations.
5. Requires heavy Flywheel installations.
6. Decrease volumetric efficiency
This demands for MULTI – STAGING…!!
 Why multistage compressor?

•High temp rise leads into limitation for the maximum

achievable pressure rise.

•Discharge temperature shall not exceed 150ºC and should

not exceed 1350C for hydrogen rich services

•A multistage compressor compresses air to the required

pressure in multiple stages.

•Intercoolers
are used in between each stage to removes heat
and decrease the temperature of gas so that gas could be
compressed to higher pressure without much rise in
temperature
 Reciprocating Compressor – Multistage

Series arrangement of cylinders, in which the compressed air from earlier

cylinder (i.e. discharge) becomes the intake air for the next cylinder (i.e.
inlet). L.P. = Low Pressure

Intercooler I.P. = Intermediate

Air Delivery
Pressure
H.P. = High Pressure

L.P. I.P. H.P. Intercooler :

Cylinder Cylinder Cylinder Compressed air is cooled
between cylinders.

Intercooler
Air Intake
 Reciprocating Compressor – Multistage
Delivery Pr. 6 9 3 5 Overall Pr. Range : P1 – P3
Perfect Intercooling
P3 or Pd
Single – stage cycle : 8-1-5-6
Without Intercooling
H.P. Without Intercooling :
PV  C
n
L.P. : 8-1-4-7
Intermediate Pr. 7 4
P2 2 H.P. : 7-4-5-6
PV  C
L.P. With Intercooling :
Intake Pr. 8 1 L.P. : 8-1-4-7
P1 or Ps
H.P. : 7-2-3-6
Volume
Perfect Intercooling : After initial compression in L.P. cylinder, air is cooled in the
Intercooler to its original temperature, before entering H.P. cylinder
i.e. T2 = T1 OR
Points 1 and 2 are on SAME Isothermal line.
Multistage Compression

• Complete Intercooling if
– Intermediate temperature Ti is
cooled back to the same
temperature as T1.
 Reciprocating Compressor – Multistage
Ideal Conditions for Multi – Stage Compressors : (Without Intercooling) :

A. Single – Stage Compressor :

Single – stage cycle : 8-1-5-6
6 9 3 5

H.P.

7 PV n  C
4
2 PV  C Delivery Temperature,
L.P. n 1
8 1  P5  n
T5  T1 
 P 
 1 
 Reciprocating Compressor – Multistage
B. Two – Stage Compressor (Without Intercooling) :
Without Intercooling :
6 9 3 5 L.P. : 8-1-4-7
H.P. : 7-4-5-6
Wto WLo w Stage + WHigh Stage
H.P. t al =

7 PV n  C
4
2 PV  C
L.P.
8 1

Without Intercooling  Delivery Temperature also remains SAME.

This is SAME as that of Work done in Single – Stage.
 Reciprocating Compressor – Multistage
C. Two – Stage Compressor (With Perfect Intercooling) :
Wto WLo w Stage + WHigh Stage
t al =
6 9 3 5

H.P.

7 PV n  C
4
2 PV  C
L.P.
8 1
Delivery Temperature,
n 1 n 1
 P3  n  P3  n
T3  T2    T1   , as T2  T1
 P2   P2 
 Reciprocating Compressor – Multistage
C. Two – Stage Compressor (With Perfect Intercooling) :
6 9 3 5
With Intercooling :
L.P. : 8-1-4-7-8
H.P. H.P. : 7-2-3-6-7

7 PV n  C Now, T2 = T 1
4
2 PV  C P2V2 = P1V1
L.P.
8 1
Also P4 = P 2

Shaded Area 2-4-5-3-2 : Work Saving due to Intercooler…!!

 Reciprocating Compressor – Multistage
Condition for Min. Work :
Intermediate Pr. P2 → P1 : Area 2-4-5-3-2 → 0

Intermediate Pr. P2 → P3 : Area 2-4-5-3-2 → 0

6 9 3 5
There is an Optimum P2 for which Area 2-4-5-3-2
is maximum,
H.P.
i.e. Work is minimum…!!
7 PV n  C
4
2 PV  C
L.P.
8 1
 Reciprocating Compressor – Multistage
Condition for Min. Work :  n 1 n 1

 P  n  P  n
d  2    3  
 P1   P2  
dW  
   0
dP2 dP2

1  n 1  n 1   n 1    n 1   n 1  
  P2      P3         P2   n    0
  1     1
n 1
 n n

 P1  n  n    n  

6 9 3 5
 P2  1/ n   P1 P 
 n 1 

 n 

  2 n 1  3
H.P.  P2   n 
PV n  C
7
2
4
PV  C  P2  2   P1 P3 
L.P.
8 P2 P
1 P2  P1 P3 OR  3
P1 P2
• minimum two stage compressor work
– Complete intercooling
– Same pressure ratio for all stages
• This can b e gen
er liz d toom e tha
n two
stages ..a e r
= −1 + −1
−
1
−1
2
= −1
−
1
2
−1
=
−1
• Minimum multi stage compressor work
– Complete intercooling
– Same pressure ratio for all stages

• This can be generalized to more than two stages (z =

number of stages, P1 = intake pressure, P2 = final pressure)

= −1
−1
 Solved Example 5
A three-stage, single acting reciprocating air compressor running in an atmosphere at
1.013 bar and 15°C has a free air delivery of 2.83 m3/min. The suction pressure and
temperature are 0.98 bar and 32 ° C respectively. Calculate the indicated power
required, assuming complete intercooling, n = 1.3, and that the machine is designed
for minimum work. The delivery pressure is to be 70 bar.
:Solution

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Solved Example 6
two stage air compressor air from 1 bar and 20oC to 42 bar. If the law of compression
is pv 1.35 = constant and the intercooling is complete to 20oC, find per kg of air:1. The work
done is compressing; and 2. The mass of water necessary for abstracting the heat in the
intercooler, if the temperature rise of the cooling water is 250oC
:Solution

the intercooler pressure

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.Mass of water necessary for abstracting the heat in the intercooler .2
Let mw= Mass of water necessary /kg of air ,and
.T2 = Temperature of the air entering the intercooler

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Questions and answers:
1. Which of the following is not positive displacement type compressor?
a. Rotary vane compressor
b. Rotary screw type compressor
c. Centrifugal compressor
d. Acoustic compressor
Ans.: c)
2. Compared to a hermetic compressor, an open type compressor:
a. Offers higher efficiency
b. Offers lower noise
c. Offers better compressor cooling
d. Offers serviceability and flexibility
Ans.: a), c) and d)
3. Hermetic compressors are used mainly in smaller systems as they:
a. Yield higher COP
b. Do not require frequent servicing
c. Offer the flexibility of using any refrigerant
d. Can be used under different load conditions efficiently
Ans.: b)
4. In reciprocating compressors, clearance is provided:
a. To improve the volumetric efficiency of the compressor
b. To accommodate valves
c. To account for thermal expansion due to temperature variation
d. To reduce power consumption of the compressor
Ans.: b) and c)
5. The clearance volumetric efficiency of a reciprocating compressor depends on:
a. Properties of the refrigerant
b. Operating temperatures
c. Clearance volume
d. All of the above
Ans.: d)