Reciprocating Compressor Experiment.

AI Thread Summary
The experiment focused on determining the volumetric efficiency of a reciprocating compressor, revealing an average value of n at 1.034, indicating an isothermal process. However, a temperature change of about 3K in the receiver during operation raises questions about the validity of this classification. The discussion emphasizes the need to assess whether this temperature change aligns with the measured difference between n and 1. Participants suggest calculating the temperature change's consistency with the value of n to clarify the process type. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding these thermodynamic principles in compressor analysis.
SherlockOhms
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So, I've recently carried out an experiment to find the volumetric efficiency of a singular reciprocating compressor. During the experiment, there are sub questions asking you to find the value of n and then whether the process is isothermal, poly tropic or adiabatic. Well, n is found to be very close to 1 so the process is isothermal. However, the temperature in the receiver (where the compressed gas is stored) does change by about 3K from t= 0s until t = 180s (when the compressor switches off). Why is that? And, is this therefore not an isothermal process? Or, am I just not properly understanding what's happening? Thanks.
 
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From the information posted, it is not possible to tell whether the temperature change observed is small enough to be consistent with the measured difference between n and 1. You could try to compute that.
 
haruspex said:
From the information posted, it is not possible to tell whether the temperature change observed is small enough to be consistent with the measured difference between n (η?) and 1. You could try to compute that.

The difference between n and 1? Well, the average value of n was found to be 1.034. So, the difference between n and 1 is 0.034. Is this what you're asking? I may have misunderstood.
 
SherlockOhms said:
The difference between n and 1? Well, the average value of n was found to be 1.034. So, the difference between n and 1 is 0.034. Is this what you're asking? I may have misunderstood.
Yes, that's what I was asking, but the next step is to determine whether the observed rise in temperature is within the range consistent with that n.
 
haruspex said:
Yes, that's what I was asking, but the next step is to determine whether the observed rise in temperature is within the range consistent with that n.

How do I go about doing that? Only just began this module 3 weeks back so apologies if I'm catching on a bit slowly.
 
SherlockOhms said:
How do I go about doing that? Only just began this module 3 weeks back so apologies if I'm catching on a bit slowly.
Not my area, I'm afraid. I was just pointing out a possible explanation.
 
No problem. Thanks for the help.
 

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