Calculating the work needed to compress a volume of air

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the work required to compress a volume of air in a cylindrical chamber, specifically using isothermal and polytropic processes. Key parameters include the uncompressed volume, compression ratio, and initial atmospheric pressure and temperature. The work done is determined using the integral $$\int p \,dV$$, and frictional resistance from the piston is incorporated with the integral $$\int F_\text{friction}\, ds$$. The process is assumed to be quasi-static, which is crucial for accurate calculations.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of thermodynamic processes, specifically isothermal and polytropic processes.
  • Knowledge of integral calculus as it applies to work done in physics.
  • Familiarity with concepts of pressure, volume, and temperature in gas laws.
  • Basic principles of friction and its effects on mechanical systems.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the specific equations for work done in isothermal and polytropic processes.
  • Study the effects of friction on piston movement in compression systems.
  • Explore the implications of quasi-static processes in thermodynamics.
  • Investigate the relationship between compression ratio and work done in gas compression.
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Engineers, mechanical designers, and students studying thermodynamics who are involved in air compression systems and need to calculate work done in such processes.

Minesh
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Need help to figure out the formula for work done for compressing a volume of atm. air using isothermal and polytropic process
Hi All,

I am working on an engineering problem, where i have to calculate the total work needed to compress a volume of air (Locked in a cylindrical chamber similar to an IC chamber where the piston moves to compress the air mixture)

I am defining the process with the below initial parameters,
1. Uncompressed volume of the chamber
2. Compression Ratio
3. States (Pressure and Temperature) before compression corresponds to that of atmospheric values.
4. I assume the process to be a quasi static process

In addition i would also like to know how to add the resistance due to friction of the moving piston into this calculation.

I wanted to know the formula to understand how the work done varies with volume of the air chamber.
Also, i am interested in knowing this from the view of both isothermal and polytropic process.

Thanks a lot in advance
 
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Hello Minesh, :welcome: !

Minesh said:
formula for work done for compressing a volume of atm. air using isothermal and polytropic process

4. I assume the process to be a quasi static process

I wanted to know the formula to understand how the work done varies with volume of the air chamber.
You do $$\int p \,dV$$
In addition i would also like to know how to add the resistance due to friction of the moving piston into this calculation.
You add ##\int F_\text {friction}\, ds##
 
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Minesh said:
Summary:: Need help to figure out the formula for work done for compressing a volume of atm. air using isothermal and polytropic process

Hi All,

I am working on an engineering problem, where i have to calculate the total work needed to compress a volume of air (Locked in a cylindrical chamber similar to an IC chamber where the piston moves to compress the air mixture)

I am defining the process with the below initial parameters,
1. Uncompressed volume of the chamber
2. Compression Ratio
3. States (Pressure and Temperature) before compression corresponds to that of atmospheric values.
4. I assume the process to be a quasi static process

In addition i would also like to know how to add the resistance due to friction of the moving piston into this calculation.

I wanted to know the formula to understand how the work done varies with volume of the air chamber.
Also, i am interested in knowing this from the view of both isothermal and polytropic process.

Thanks a lot in advance
What is your approach to this so far?
 
I have encountered a vertically oriented hydraulic cylinder that is designed to actuate and slice heavy cabling into sections with a blade. The cylinder is quite small (around 1.5 inches in diameter) and has an equally small stroke. The cylinder is single acting (i.e. it is pressurized from the bottom, and vented to atmosphere with a spring return, roughly 200lbs of force on the spring). The system operates at roughly 2500 psi. Interestingly, the cylinder has a pin that passes through its...

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