EMH332 APPLIED THERMODYNAMICS

TUTORIAL 5
RECIPROCATING COMPRESSORS
(SSL conditions: 25C; 101.325 kPa)
1.
A reciprocating air compressor induces 5.65 x 10-3 m of air per cycle at SSL
conditions. If the delivery pressure is 620 kPa, calculate the work transfer per cycle if the
compression and expansion processes are:(a)

reversible polytropic, n = 1.2.

(b)

reversible adiabatic, n= 1.4

(c)

reversible isothermal

2.
Air is to be compressed through a pressure ratio of 10:1 from SSL conditions.
Find the power required for a free air delivery (FAD) of 0.05m/s. Also find the rotational
speed if the swept volume is 14.5 x 10-3 m. The clearance volume is 6 per cent of the
swept volume, and n = 1.3 for compression and expansion.
3.
Air is compressed in a reciprocating compressor from SSL conditions to a
pressure of 0.9 MPa in one stage. The polytropic index of compression and expansion is
1.3, and the clearance volume is 4 per cent of the swept volume. Calculate the work
transfer per kg of air delivered and the heat transfer during compression and expansion
per kg of air delivered.
4.
A single acting reciprocating compressor running at 240 RPM delivers 0.1m/s
FAD. Inlet conditions are SSL and the delivery pressure is 482 kPa. The clearance
volume is 5 per cent of the swept volume and the compression and re-expansion
processes are considered reversible and governed by the law pV1.2 = const. Calculate:
(a) the swept volume;
(b) the power required to drive the compressor if its mechanical efficiency is 85%;
(c) the maximum pressure against which the compressor could theoretically operate.
5.
A single stage reciprocating air compressor is required to deliver 7 m /min FAD.
The induction conditions are 95 kPa and 32 C. Delivery is at 0.7 MPa and the law for
the compression and expansion processes is: pV1.3 = constant. If the clearance volume is
5% of the swept volume, calculate the theoretical power and the volumetric
efficiency based on SSL conditions.

6.
A three stage reciprocating air compressor has a free air delivery of 2.83m/min
based on SSL conditions. The induction pressure and temperature are 98kPa and
32 C respectively. Calculate the ideal minimum power (stating the assumptions
required) for a delivery pressure of 7MPa and an index of compression n = 1.3.
Determine are the inter stage pressures.
7.
A four stage reciprocating compressor takes in air at 1 bar & 32 C and delivers it
at 112bar. The index of compression for each stage is 1.28 and inter-cooling is used so
that the inlet temperature is the same for each stage. The pressure ratios are chosen to
give equal work per stage. Determine the volume of air delivered (at SSL conditions) per
kWh work input, and the air delivery temperature.