Compressor Power Equation | Factors & Link

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the power equation for compressors, exploring factors that influence power requirements, including gas properties and efficiency. Participants also touch on related concepts such as vacuum pumps and fan characteristics, as well as specific formulas used in different contexts.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant requests the power equation for compressors, suggesting that gas properties may also be a factor in addition to volume, pressure differential, and efficiency.
  • Another participant provides a non-isentropic compressor power equation, referencing a source for further information.
  • A third participant mentions alternative online resources for compressor calculations, indicating that the provided link is currently inaccessible.
  • Questions arise regarding the comparison of power requirements between vacuum pumps and compressors, particularly concerning pressure ratios and the meaning of variables in the equations.
  • Clarification is offered that 'm' refers to mass flow rate, which is dependent on density and volume.
  • A participant introduces a separate inquiry about converting head measurements into differential pressure for fans, indicating a need for understanding the relationship between these concepts.
  • Another participant asks about a specific formula used in pipeline gas applications, seeking confirmation or clarification on its validity.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the applicability of vacuum pump equations to compressors, and there is no consensus on the relationship between head and pressure in fan systems. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the specific formula mentioned for pipeline gas.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note the dependence on definitions and conditions, such as the type of compressor or pump being discussed, and the specific characteristics of the gas being compressed. There are also references to external resources that may not be currently available.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for engineers, students, or professionals interested in thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and the design or analysis of compressors and related systems.

spiraltooth
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Please give me the equation with a link if possible for determining power for a compressor. I know volume x pressure differential / efficiency but I think the gas being compressed also is a factor. Thank you.
 
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From my old thermo notes, a non-isentropic compressor has a power of:

\dot{W} = \frac{\dot{m}C_pT_1}{\eta_c} \left[\left(\frac{P_2}{P_1}\right)^{(\frac{\gamma-1}{\gamma})}-1\right]

You can see the same equation here:
http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/K-12/airplane/compth.html
 
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The site seems to be down at the moment but there are online calculators for recips and centrifs at www.processassociates.com

To to process tools section.
 
Fred, from your equation a vacuum pump that has a 1bar/.01bar pressure ratio needs more power than a compressor that has a ratio of 10bar/1bar? Is m the molecular weight or the volume?
 
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m is mass flow rate.

I'll have to look around a bit, but a vacuum pump most likely will not be applicable here. I'm not sure, I don't deal with them.
 
Hello, I'm working on a model of a fan and I have the characteristic curves Flow/impelled power and flow/total pressure.

I also have the relation of adiabatic compression you have written but it concerns the Head (in meters) and not the mass flowrate. Therefore, my question is : how do you get the outlet pressure of a fan knowing the characteristic curves and the formula with the head ?

More clearly that possible to convert the Head (m) into a differential pressure (Pout-Pin) or even the outlet Pressure of the fan (Pout) ?

Thank you for any idea.
 
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Hi, somebody knows this formula?

HP= Q * 63 * Ln(Pd/Ps)

Is a rare formula that are been used in a pipeline gas.

Thanks.

Felipe

PD: Sorry if I make a mistake in the english, I speak spanish.
 
spiraltooth said:
Fred, from your equation a vacuum pump that has a 1bar/.01bar pressure ratio needs more power than a compressor that has a ratio of 10bar/1bar? Is m the molecular weight or the volume?

\dot{m} is the mass flow rate, & is equal to \rho\dot{V}

ie. work required also depends upon the inlet density.
 

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