Discussion

Volumetric Efficiency of a compressor is the ratio of the actual delivered gas volume to the swept volume of
the cylinder.





In a compressor actual volume of air inside the cylinder for compression is less than the theoretical
calculated volume because of the clearance volume. When the air is compressed, and is delivered by
the discharge valve some volume of the air remains inside the clearance volume at high discharge
pressure. When the piston starts moving downwards, the suction valve does not opens immediately
because of this high pressure gas. When the piston moves downwards the pressure of the gas in the
clearance volume starts reducing due to expansion. Only when the pressure of this air reaches to
certain minimum level, the suction valve opens. Thus the portion of the suction stroke of the piston
goes unused and during this certain volume of the air is not sucked. This reduces the volume of the
air that can be sucked by the cylinder or the compressor.

Factors that affect volumetric efficiency

Delivery pressure.
How close to the isothermal process.
Compression ratio
Number of stages in the compressor.
Operating temperature.
Clearance volume of the pistons.
Valve operating speed.
Cooling.
How close to the isothermal process.
Speed of rotation of the engine.
Temperature and pressure variation along the line from the compressor outlet to orifice meter .



We can assume the tube is uniform and the frictional losses are negligible .
By using steady flow energy equation
q w = h + K.E + P.E
We can neglect the change of kinetic energy and potential energy .
Compressor
Orifice meter



W=0 ; K.E=0 ; P.E=0
q = h( enthalpy change)
but heat loses along the pipe. So the enthalpy decreases along the pipe . Temperature decreases .
Assuming ideal gas behavior

v= A.u A- cross section ; u velocity

P T

Variation of pressure and temperature
Pressure
Temperature




(length )

Note
There are some other ways that can affect the pressure and temperature
Temperature drop at the storing tank.
Pressurized air is kept in the tank for some time since the air is at high
temperature than atmosphere some amount of heat is rejected to atmosphere so there is a
temperature drop.
Pressure changes at the outlet pipe due to the valve action.
Because the air is delivered at a high pressure than the tank pressure there is
always a cyclic pressure variation.





Methods to measuring the pressure difference between the two ends of the orifice
Pressure sensors can be used
Gauge pressure sensors can be used to get the gauge pressure .Sensors can be directly used
to get the pressure more accurately .

Comparison between Graphs

Expected graph










Practical Graph


0
0.05
0.1
0.15
0.2
0.25
0.3
0 20 40 60 80
Efficiency
Pressure
volumetric
efficiency


CALCULATIONS






Free air delivery =

At 10 lbs pressure
H=18mm Water
h= 24mm water
t1 =28C
t=32C
P1=760mmHg
M2=P1-

Volume swept by the piston per minute =*(

*Stroke* R.p.m
=0.736

By substituting values to above equation
= 0.274293





Pressure Efficiency
10 0.27429292
20 0.19074249
30 0.18523054
40 0.20457569
50 0.17117191
60 0.16365659



0
0.05
0.1
0.15
0.2
0.25
0.3
0 20 40 60 80
E
f
f
i
c
i
e
n
c
y


Pressure
Efficiency vs Pressure
Efficiency