AIR COMPRESSORS

SINGLE ACTING COMPRESSOR

In single acting reciprocating compressor, the suction, compression and delivery of the air take place on one side of the piston only. Such type of compressors has one delivery stroke per revolution of the crank shaft

DOUBLE ACTING COMPRESSOR

In double acting reciprocating compressor, the suction, compression and delivery of the air take place on both sides of the piston only. Such type of compressors has two delivery stroke per revolution of the crank shaft

FREE AIR DELIVERED

The free air delivered is the actual volume delivered at stated pressure, reduced to standard pressure and temperature expressed in cubic meter per minute. This term is used to specify the capacity of the compressor for standardization.

COMPRESSION OR PRESSURE RATIO

The ratio of absolute discharge pressure to the absolute inlet pressure.

COMPRESSION WITHOUT CLEARANCE

Fig 1. Theoretical pv diagram for single acting compressor without clearance

COMPRESSION WITH CLEARANCE

Vc = Clearance volume Vs = stroke volume Va = actual air intake

CLEARANCE VOLUME
1. Clearance volume is always given in the compressor to provide space for valves, so that the piston does not strike the cylinder at the end of the delivery stroke. 2. It is expressed as a percentage of stroke volume CLEARANCE RATIO = 3. The clearance volume reduces the free air delivered(Va) because the high pressure air left in the clearance volume expands and suction for the next cycle starts only when the air pressure falls below atmospheric pressure. 4. Clearance volume has no effect on the work of compression per kg of air, but decreases the free air delivered.

VOLUMETRIC EFFICIENCY =

The actual power input to the compressor is greater than the indicated power due to work necessary to overcome losses due to friction. SHAFT POWER = INDICATED POWER + FRICTION POWER MECHANICAL EFFICIENCY =

COMPARING VARIOUS COMPRESSION PROCESS

The work done is minimum in isothermal compression process, because no energy is wasted in heating the air (increasing the internal energy of air)
ISOTHERMAL EFFICIENCY

ISENTROPIC EFFICIENCY =

METHODS ADOPTED FOR IMPROVING THE ISOTHERMAL EFFICIENCY OF COMPRESSOR 1. SPRAY INJECTION 5. Water is injected into the compressor cylinder towards the end of compression stroke to cool the air. 2. WATER JACKETING Water circulated around the cylinder through the water jacket cools the air. 3. INTER-COOLING

Used for multistage compression. Air compressed in the first stage is cooled in a heat exchanger to its original temperature before it is taken to the second stage. 4. EXTERNAL FINS Fins are provided on the external surface of the compressor, used for small capacity compressors.

MULTISTAGE COMPRESSION
The maximum pressure attainable by the compressor in single stage is limited by the clearance volume; hence for very high pressures multistage compression is required. Inter-cooling is done to reduce the temperature of the air(approximate the isothermal process); the specific volume of air reduces thus decreasing the steady flow work. And the compression work is reduced.