Thermodynamics: two stage-compressor

  • Thread starter Thread starter Four_FUN
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Thermodynamics
AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on a two-stage compressor using air as the working fluid, detailing the compression process and the associated thermodynamic calculations. The user is attempting to derive the work per unit mass required for the compressor, using pressure-volume work equations and specific heat relationships. There is confusion regarding the temperature states and whether to treat the compression processes as adiabatic, which affects the calculations. The user seeks assistance in eliminating temperature variables to find the optimal pressure P_2 that minimizes work. The conversation highlights the complexities of thermodynamic modeling in multi-stage compression systems.
Four_FUN
Messages
2
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



Consider a two stage compressor. The working fluid is air. The first stage compressor takes the air at P_1 and T_1. It compresses the air to the pressure P_2. Between the two compressors, the air is cooled at constant pressure from T_2 to T_1 (I believe this is the other way around but this is how its written). It is then compressed by the second compressor to the pressure P_3

a) draw the process in P-v coordinates
b) Determine the work per unit mass to run the compressor, as a function of P_1, P_2, P_3, T_1, gamma and c_p (specific heat at constant pressure).
c) Determine the pressure, P_2, which minimizes the compressor work.

Homework Equations



Delta(U) = Q - W (heat to system - work by system) (1)
PV=mRT, where R=287 kg/(mol K) and m = 1kg (2)

du = c_v*dT (3)
dh = (dq when P is constant) = c_p*dT (4)

The Attempt at a Solution



My P-v diagram is as shown in the (crude) paint drawing

Now to find the work I use the definition of pressure-volume work along the paths A-B and C-D to obtain:

W_AB = R*T_1*LN(p_1/p_2)
W_CD = R*T_2*LN(p_2/p_3)

using specific heats and applying (3) and (4) to (1)
W_BC = (T_2 - T_1)*(c_p - c_v) = R*(T_2 -T_1)

Now I imagine that the answer is the sum of the above. Unfortunatelly though I have been unable to get rid of that T_2 and presumably in the process get gamma to appear somewhere. If I could achieve that I would simply calculate dW/dp_2 == 0 and hopefully get an answer. I would like some help in getting rid of T_2 and any hints or comments on my work thus far.
 

Attachments

  • PV diagram.png
    PV diagram.png
    1.8 KB · Views: 711
Physics news on Phys.org
B should be P2 T2
C should be P2 T1
 
Ok! But does this mean I should treat A-B and C-D as adiabatic processes or should I not make such a simplifying assumption?

To say the process is adiabatic would mean that the compressor, compresses the gas fast enough for there to be any heat transfer...
 
TL;DR Summary: I came across this question from a Sri Lankan A-level textbook. Question - An ice cube with a length of 10 cm is immersed in water at 0 °C. An observer observes the ice cube from the water, and it seems to be 7.75 cm long. If the refractive index of water is 4/3, find the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. I could not understand how the apparent height of the ice cube in the water depends on the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. Does anyone have an...
Kindly see the attached pdf. My attempt to solve it, is in it. I'm wondering if my solution is right. My idea is this: At any point of time, the ball may be assumed to be at an incline which is at an angle of θ(kindly see both the pics in the pdf file). The value of θ will continuously change and so will the value of friction. I'm not able to figure out, why my solution is wrong, if it is wrong .
Back
Top