How Do You Calculate Volumetric Efficiency in a Twin Cylinder Air Compressor?

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on calculating the volumetric efficiency of a twin cylinder air compressor designed to deliver 17.2 kg/min of compressed air at 7.2 bar. Key equations include the ideal gas law (PV = mRT) and the volumetric efficiency formula (Va/Vs = (V1 - V4)/(V1 - V3)). The clearance volume is specified as 5% of the swept volume, and the stroke to bore ratio is 1.2. Participants provide a step-by-step approach to determine the bore and stroke dimensions based on the given parameters.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of ideal gas law (PV = mRT)
  • Knowledge of polytropic processes and the polytropic formula
  • Familiarity with volumetric efficiency calculations
  • Basic concepts of air compressor design and operation
NEXT STEPS
  • Learn how to apply the polytropic formula in compressor calculations
  • Study the effects of clearance volume on compressor efficiency
  • Research methods for calculating mass flow rates in compressors
  • Explore advanced topics in thermodynamics related to gas compression
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Mechanical engineers, students in thermodynamics, and professionals involved in air compressor design and optimization will benefit from this discussion.

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Homework Statement



It is required to design a single acting twin cylinder air compressor to deliver 17.2kg/min of compressed air at 7.2 bar. The intake pressure and temperature are 1 bar and 15oC respectively. Compressor speed is to be 300 rpm. Take clearance volume as 5% of the swept volume. The stroke to bore ratio is 1.2 and assume n=1.3. Find the bore and stroke of the cylinder.

Homework Equations



Vc/Vs = 0.005

PV=mRT

volumetric efficiency = Va/Vs = (V1 - V4)/(V1 - V3)

The Attempt at a Solution



Firstly i try to find volumetric efficiency. However, V1, V3 and V4 still did not know.. so how...
 
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Hi budak - welcome to the board. Just a suggestion, but a better title to your thread would help. :smile:
1. Calculate the density of air inside the compression chamber just prior to the start of compression using the ideal gas law. Note that the total mass of air in the cylinder is simply density times volume.
rho = ?

2. Do you know how to apply the polytropic formula? Note the exponent, n is given, so you should be able to find the final conditions (ie: final state) of the air given the inlet pressure, inlet temperature and discharge pressure. Can you find the discharge temperature? If so, you have the final state.
T(final) = ?

3. If you have the final state, you can apply ideal gas law to find density for the final state. Since you've been given the clearance volume as a percentage of total volume, you should also be able to calculate the percentage of air in the clearance volume that stays inside the chamber after compression. This percentage of mass does not exit the compressor. The rest of the air leaves the compressor, so this is the percentage of air which is displaced by each stroke. Now you have (% displaced).
% displaced = ?

4. On the intake stroke, just assume this small mass of air re-expands back to the inlet conditions, so you can neglect this small mass of air after you do the compression stroke calculation in 3 above.

5. Calculate the mass of air that must be displaced with each stroke in order to get the total throughput.
Mass per stroke needed = ?

6. Find total displacement of cylinder from % displaced and mass per stroke as found above.
Volume of cyl = ?

7. Find bore and stroke from stroke to bore ratio and volume calculated in 6.
Bore = ?
Stroke = ?

hope that helps.
 

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