LAB Session 06

To draw the characteristic curves for Tangy Air Compressor.

Apparatus:
Tangy Air Compressor

Specifications:

 Single Cylinder
 Vertical Type
 Air Cooled
 Reciprocating
 Maximum Pressure = 200 psi
 Working Pressure = 150 psi
 Maximum Speed = 1450 rpm
 Bore = 3.25 in
 Stroke = 4 in
 Equipped with 3φ electric motor of 3hp

THEORY

Types of COMPRESSORS

There are two types available i.e.

1) Positive Displacement Compressors:

They are further divided into reciprocating and rotary compressors.

Reciprocating air compressors are positive displacement machines, meaning that

they increase the pressure of the air by reducing its volume. This means they are taking
in successive volumes of air which is confined within a closed space and elevating this
air to a higher pressure. The reciprocating air compressor accomplishes this by a piston
within a cylinder as the compressing and displacing element.
 Rotary air compressors are positive displacement compressors. The most
common rotary air compressor is the single stage helical or spiral lobe oil flooded screw
air compressor. These compressors consist of two rotors within a casing where the
rotors compress the air internally. There are no valves. These units are basically oil
cooled (with air cooled or water cooled oil coolers) where the oil seals the internal
clearances.

2) Dynamic Compressors
They are further divided into centrifugal and axial compressors.

The centrifugal air compressor is a dynamic compressor which depends on

transfer of energy from a rotating impeller to the air. Centrifugal compressors produce
high-pressure discharge by converting angular momentum imparted by the rotating
impeller (dynamic displacement).

Axial compressors are rotating, aerofoil based compressors in which the working
fluid principally flows parallel to the axis of rotation. This is in contrast with centrifugal,
axi-centrifugal and mixed-flow compressors where the air may enter axially but will
have a significant radial component on exit.

TERMS

1) Flow Rate
It is the volume of air that is compressed.

Q = Cd A v Cd = 0.96
Q = Cd A √2𝑔𝛥ℎ A = 0.416 in² , 𝛥ℎ =
(𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑚𝑎𝑛𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟)

2) Brake Power

2𝜋𝑁𝑇
B.P = where T = W x R R = 12 in
60
3) Indicated Power

𝑛 𝑃2
I.P = x P1V [ ( )𝑛−1/𝑛 – 1 ]
𝑛−1 𝑃1

n = polytropic index = 1.4

P1= Air Inlet Pressure
P2=Air Outlet Pressure
(v1−v4)N
v = Effective swept volume per unit time =
60

v1 = vs + vc
𝜋 𝑃2
vs = d²L , vc = 2.08 cc and v3 = vc and v4 = v3 ( )1/𝑛
4 𝑃1

4) Isothermal Indicated Power

I.I.P = P1 V x ln (P2/P1)
5) Motor Input Power
P = √3 VI cos φ φ=0
6) Mechanical Efficiency
𝐼.𝑃
ηmech = 𝐵.𝑃

7) Isothermal Efficiency
𝐼.𝐼.𝑃
ηiso = 𝐼.𝑃

8) Volumetric Efficiency
𝑃2
ηvol. = 1 – vc/vs [(𝑃1)1/𝑛 − 1]

9) Overall Efficiency
ηoverall = I.P/P
 Procedure:

1. Before starting the compressor, check the control valve, it should be fully closed.
2. Start the compressor using 3 phase electric motor that drives the compressor with the
help of belt and pulley mechanism.
3. Initially store the air in compressor delivery tank at required pressure of 80 psi.
4. Now slightly open the control valve to set the required pressure for next readings.
5. While the compressor is running start adding weights and then observe the spring
balance reading.
6. Determine the engine speed with the help of tachometer.
7. For air discharge, note the pressure difference across the manometer.

OBSERVATIONS & CALCULATIONS:

No. N W Δh V I T B.P I.P I.I.P Pin ηmech ηiso ηvol. ηoverall Qx

10-3
rpm N m volts ampere Nm W W W psi % % % % m³/s

1 560 70.3 -13 365 3.4 95.5 5597.5 1290 966.7 100 23.04 74.8 98.6 60.01 0.4108
2 575 64.5 -3 365 3.2 87.66 5232.1 1768 638 100 14.56 83.67 99.4 38 0.624
3 585 59.4 -36 365 3 80.73 4943 428.8 382 100 8.61 89.8 99.7 22.4 0.683
4 590 47.9 -15 365 2.8 67.84 4189.6 178.2 170.1 100 4.25 95.4 99.9 10.06 0.441
SPECIMEN CALCULATIONS
GRAPHS

6000

5000

4000
B.P

3000

2000

1000

0
555 560 565 570 575 580 585 590 595
N

2000
1800
1600
1400
1200
I.P

1000
800
600
400
200
0
555 560 565 570 575 580 585 590 595
N
 1200

1000

800
I.I.P

600

400

200

0
555 560 565 570 575 580 585 590 595
N

25

20

15
ηmech

10

0
555 560 565 570 575 580 585 590 595
N

120

100

80
ηiso

60

40

20

0
555 560 565 570 575 580 585 590 595
N
 100
99.8
99.6
99.4
ηvol.

99.2
99
98.8
98.6
98.4
555 560 565 570 575 580 585 590 595
N

70

60

50
ηoverall

40

30

20

10

0
555 560 565 570 575 580 585 590 595
N

0.8
0.7
0.6
Q x 〖10〗^(-3)

0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0
555 560 565 570 575 580 585 590 595
N
COMMENTS:

 The apparatus was not in working condition.

 For correct readings, the apparatus should be proper. There should be no fault in the apparatus.
 Torque decreases with the increase in speed.
 Indicated power and isothermal indicated power vary inversely with speed.
 Isothermal efficiency and volumetric efficiency vary directly with speed.