University of Engineering and Technology

Lahore (New campus)

Department of Chemical, Polymer and Composite Materials

Lab Report

Chemical Engineering
Thermodynamics-1

Submitted To:
Dr. Zohaib Attique Khan

Submitted By:
M. Qamar Shafiq: 2023-CH-241
 Compressors:

Contents:

Introduction:
• Defination:
• Types:
• Industrial Importance:

List of Experiments:
Experiment No: 01 Investigation of variation of air flow rate with compressor
ratio (without intercooling:]
Experiment No: 02 To investigate the variation in the volumetric efficiency with
compressor ratio (without intercooling)
Experiment No: 03 To investigate the variation of isothermal efficiency with
compressor ratio (without intercooler)
Introduction:
What is compressor?
Defination:
A compressor is a device that increases the pressure of gases by
reducing that volume. They are used in various applications, like powering tools and
running refrigerator system. Essentially, they squeeze gas into tighter space to make it
more useful.

Types:
There are four common types of compressors which is given below:
• Reciprocating Compressors: Use pistons to compress the gas. Great for high-
pressure applications.
• Rotary Screw Compressors: Utilize two helical screws to compress the gas.
Known for continuous operation.
• Centrifugal Compressors: Use a rotating impeller to increase gas velocity
and pressure. Ideal for large volumes.
• Scroll Compressors: Employ two interleaved scrolls to compress the gas.
Often used in air conditioning and refrigeration

Industrial Importance:
Compressors are often regarded as the backbone of many industries. Some of
its common industrial importance is given below:
• Manufacturing: Powering pneumatic tools, machinery, and assembly lines, crucial for effic
ient production.
• Oil and Gas: Essential for transporting and processing hydrocarbons, maintaining flow and
pressure.
• Refrigeration: Vital in cooling systems for food storage, chemical processing, and more.
• Automotive: Used in spray painting, air conditioning, and powering air tools in vehicle ma
nufacturing and repair.
 Experiment No. 01
Investigation of variation of air flow rate
with compressor ratio (without intercooling)

Apparatus:
Two stage reciprocating compressor Main Parts of Reciprocating
Compressor

Main Parts of Reciprocating Compressor:

 1st stage compressor

 2nd stage compressor
 Intercooler
 Pressure gauges
 Water purge valve 6. Rota-meter

Theory:
Air Compressor
A machine suck low pressure, low temperature air from atmosphere and
compresses it to high pressure and high temperature by reciprocating motion of
compressor is called a compressor.

Working Principal

An external force needs to act on the gas. An air compressor draws in air at atmospheri
c pressure, compresses it using the supplied work, and then delivers the high-
pressure air to a storage vessel called a receiver. From there, the compressed air can be
transported via pipeline to where it's needed.
Following advantages of compresses air are as follow:

1. Compressed air produces smooth translation with more uniform force

2. Air does not possess the potential shock hazard of electricity or the potential fire
hazard of oils.
3. It is a utility that is generated in-house, so owners have more control over it than
any other utility.
4. It can be used to push a piston, as in a jackhammer
5. Compressed air provides torque and rotation power for pneumatic tools, such as
drills, brushes, nut runners, riveting guns, and screwdrivers.
6. Common applications are to cool large buildings.  To operate lift, reams and pump.
In paint spraying and in air conveying, the dynamic pressure of the air imparts motion.
Positive Displacement Compressors:
Positive displacement compressors work by trapping air in a closed space and then
reducing its volume. As the volume decreases, the air pressure increases. Once the air reaches the
required pressure, it is released, and new low-pressure air is drawn in to repeat the cycle. These
compressors create a pulsating flow because air is trapped in batches, but due to their high operating
speed, the airflow seems steady.

There are three main types of positive displacement compressors:

• Reciprocating Compressors:
• Rotary Compressors with Sliding Vanes:
• Rotary Screw Compressors:

Reciprocating Compressors:
Reciprocating compressors use a piston that moves back and forth inside a cylinder. This
motion traps and compresses the air in the cylinder, raising its pressure. The compressed air is then
released in short bursts, meaning it is not a continuous flow like in rotary compressors. However,
reciprocating compressors can achieve higher pressures than rotary types.
There are two types of reciprocating compressors:

Single-acting compressors:
Where the piston compresses air on one side only.
Double-acting compressors:
Where the piston compresses air on both sides.

Experimental Procedure:

• Air enters the first compressor, and its temperature and pressure are measured.
• The compressed air from the first stage passes through an intercooler, which uses water or
another cooling medium to lower the air’s temperature. The temperature after cooling is almost
equal to the initial temperature.
• The cooled air enters a second compressor, where it is compressed to a higher pressure than in
the first stage. Again, temperature and pressure readings are taken.
 Observations and Calculations:

No Inlet Air Air Air 1st 2nd Stage Height Compressor Ampere Voltage
of T1 Exit Inlet Inlet Stage Pressure in Speed RPM
Obs T2 2nd of 2nd P1 P2 Mano
. stage Stage meter
T3 T4

1 26 46. 36.4 35.9 220 100 9.6 1330 6 340

3
2 26. 107 59.6 56.4 260 200 9.5 1330 6.2 350
7 .5
3 27. 122 76.8 23.5 280 300 9.5 1320 6.4 352
4 .5
4 28. 136 87.5 88.2 300 400 9.4 1290 6.5 353
6 .9
5 28. 136 96.2 103. 310 500 9.4 1270 6.5 340
6 .2 2
Sr No. Qv 1st stage 2nd Stage Overall
(10 -3 Pressure Ratio Pressure Pressure Ratio
Ratio
1 2.52 3.171 0.6265 1.9869

2 2.515 3.566 0.8331 2.9738

3 2.518 3.763 1.0524 3.9607

4 2.509 3.961 1.2491 4.9476

5 2.509 4.059 1.4619 5.9346

Experiment No. 02
To investigate the variation in the volumetric efficiency with compressor ratio
(without intercooling)

Apparatus:
Two stage reciprocating compressor
Main Parts of Reciprocating Compressor:
 1st stage compressor
 2nd stage compressor
 Intercooler
 Pressure gauges
 Water purge valve
 Rota-meter

Theory:
Volumetric efficiency measures the actual volume of gas drawn into the cylinder compared t
o the piston displacement. It directly impacts capacity, as capacity is reliant on the piston dis
placement of the cylinder.

Experimental Procedure:
1. Setup: Assemble the system, connect to air source, install instruments.
2. Checks: Inspect for leaks, calibrate instruments, ensure safety.
3. Start-Up: Start compressors one by one.
4. Data Collection: Record pressure and temperature readings.
5. Shutdown: Gradually stop compressors.
6. Analysis: Analyze data, evaluate efficiency, assess impact of conditions.
7. Report: Prepare a detailed report summarizing the experiment.
 Observations and Calculations:

Compressor swept volume per revolution = 0.3544×10-3 m 3

No Inle Air Air Air 1st 2nd Stage Heigh Compressor Amper Voltage
of t T1 Exit Inlet Inlet Stag Pressure t in Speed RPM e
Obs T2 2nd of 2nd e P1 P2 Mano
. stage Stage meter
T3 T4

1 26 46. 36.4 35.9 220 100 9.6 1330 6 340

3
2 26. 107 59.6 56.4 260 200 9.5 1330 6.2 350
7 .5
3 27. 122 76.8 23.5 280 300 9.5 1320 6.4 352
4 .5
4 28. 136 87.5 88.2 300 400 9.4 1290 6.5 353
6 .9
5 28. 136 96.2 103. 310 500 9.4 1270 6.5 340
6 .2 2
Sr No. Qv 10-3 ) Va ηv Overall
Pressure
Ratio
1 2.52 0.471352 0.53 1.9869

2 2.515 0.471352 0.53 2.9738

3 2.518 0.467808 0.53 3.9607

4 2.509 0.457176 0.54 4.9476

5 2.5098 0.450088 0.55 5.9346

Experiment No. 03
To investigate the variation of isothermal efficiency with compressor ratio
(without intercooler)

Apparatus:
Two stage compressor
 1st stage compressor:
 2nd stage compressor:
 Intercooler :
 Pressure gauges:
 Water purge valve:
 Rota-meter:

Theory:
Isothermal Efficiency:
The isothermal efficiency is defined as the ratio of the work input to
the isothermal process, to the work input to the actual process between the same
inlet and exit pressures.
ηC = Reversible isothermal compressor work/Actual compressor work.

Experimental Procedure:
1.Fresh air enters the compressor at the first stage inlet.
2.Note the temperature and pressure at this initial condition.
3.The compressor increases the air pressure.
4.The output air from the first stage is used as the input for the second
stage.
5.The second stage further increases the air pressure to a higher value
.
Observations and Calculations:
No Inle Air Air Air 1st 2nd Stage Heigh Compressor Amper Voltage
of t T1 Exit Inlet Inlet Stag Pressure t in Speed RPM e
Obs T2 2nd of e P1 P2 Mano
. stage 2nd meter
T3 Stag
e T4

1 26 46. 36.4 35. 220 100 9.6 1330 6 340

3 9
2 26. 107 59.6 56. 260 200 9.5 1330 6.2 350
7 .5 4
3 27. 122 76.8 23. 280 300 9.5 1320 6.4 352
4 .5 5
4 28. 136 87.5 88. 300 400 9.4 1290 6.5 353
6 .9 2
5 28. 136 96.2 103 310 500 9.4 1270 6.5 340
6 .2 .2

No of T1 T4 Wadiabatic Wiso Wact Isothermal

Obs. Efficiency
1 299 403.6 24781 74792 50000 1.496

2 300 431.7 24379 72760 50000 1.455

3 300.5 478.3 17114 55332 50000 1.107

4 302 492.7 20188 59959 50000 1.199

5 301.5 499.8 19215 57200 50000 1.144

 Graphs: