Diploma in Mechanical Engineering
(DMEN)
 
 
Laboratory Report
EGM 2181
Engineering Thermodynamics 11
 
 
Group :2
Student Name : 1. ​Chan jun yang P18010112
& ID 2. ​Christin Tean P18009807
3. ​Kelly Chom P16007562
Experiment : Air Compressor
Lab Sheet for Engineering Thermodynamics 2 (EGM2181)
Title: To determine the indicated and isothermal power of the compressor unit and
volumetric efficiency

INTRODUCTION
There are two generic principles for the compression of air (or gas): positive displacement
compression and dynamic compression.
Positive displacement compressors include, for example, reciprocating (piston) compressors,
orbital (scroll) compressors and different types of rotary compressors (screw, tooth, and vane). In
positive displacement compression, the air is drawn into one or more compression chambers,
which are then closed from the inlet. Gradually the volume of each chamber decreases and the
air is compressed internally. When the pressure has reached the designed build-in pressure ratio,
a port or valve is opened and the air is discharged into the outlet system due to continued
reduction of the compression chamber’s volume.
In dynamic compression, air is drawn between the blades on a rapidly rotating compression
impeller and accelerates to a high velocity. The gas is then discharged through a diffuser, where
the kinetic energy is transformed into static pressure. Most dynamic compressors are turbo
compressors with an axial or radial flow pattern. All are designed for large volume flow rates.

THEORY
Air Compressor
In a reciprocating compressor, compression takes place as a result of the back-and forth travel or
stroke of a piston in a cylinder equipped with inlet and discharge valves. The cycle is usually
described by a Pressure-Volume (P - V) diagram as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1: P- V diagram for Air Compressor

In actual practice, reciprocating air compressor always has a clearance in the cylinder. This
clearance is expressed as % of cylinder total displacement volume and it is referred to as %
clearance (%C). Normally, C% varies between 3 and 10 %, depending on valve design.

Air Mass Flow Rate

The air mass flow rate going into the compressor is calculated from the rate of flow through the
orifice of the inlet box and the differential pressure of the manometer as per BS848 standard. The
air mass flow rate can be found using the following formula:
2
ṁ = αε πd4 √2ρ∆P

Where α = Flow coefficient

ε = Expansibility factor
d = Orifice diameter, m
ρ = Air density, kg/m​3
ΔP = Pressure difference at manometer, Pa

Isothermal Power
This is the minimum power for the compression process is the isothermal power and is
calculated as follow:

Ẇ iso = P 1 V˙ 1 ln⁡ ( ) P2
P1

Where P​1 = Atmospheric pressure, Pa

P​2 = Compressor outlet pressure, Pa
V̇ 1 = Volume flow rate of air, m​3​/s

Volumetric Efficiency
The volumetric efficiency of the air compressor can be found using:

V̇ 1
η volumetric = V̇ theo

Where V̇ 1 = Volume flow rate of air, m​3​/s

V̇ theo = Theoretical volume flow rate of air, m​3​/s

The theoretical volume flow rate of air can be found by multiplying total cylinder displacement
volume with the compressor speed.

EXPERIMENT
General Description
The test set is for studying the single stage reciprocating air compressor characteristics. An
industrial type compressor is driven via a vee-belt by a motor with an advanced inverter. The air
receiver has safety valves, pressure switch, a drain valve and a discharge valve. The unit is
equipped with necessary measuring instruments. The air compressor description can be seen in
Figure 2.

Figure 2: MP 201 Single Stage Air Compressor Test Set, Air Cooled

Experiment Preparation
1. Level the table by turning the adjusting screws and observing the level at inclined
manometer at horizontal position.
2. Ensure one of the orifice pressure port is securely connected to the inclined manometers,
adjusting the manometer for zero reading and leveling for an appropriate angle position
with a correct reading range. For easy and quick interpolation, the slopes can be set at
1:10, 1:5 or 1:2.
3. Record the manometer slope (1:10, 1:5 or 1:2) in the datasheet.
4. Ensure that the air receiver discharge valve is fully open and the drain valve is fully
closed.
5. Connect the power cord to the power supply source.
6. Switch on ELCB and CB at the right side of the control box.
Experiment Procedure
1. Referring to Figure 3, start the compressor motor by pressing the “START” button at the
advance inverter, and ensure the frequency is at 50 Hz.
2. The experiment will start at 1 bar (or kg/cm​2​) outlet pressure with an increment of 1 bar
(or kg/cm​2​) outlet pressure, by observing the compressor outlet pressure gauge.
3. To increase the air receiver pressure, gradually close the air receiver discharge valve.
4. Record the following data: motor and compressor speeds, motor electrical power,
compressor air inlet/outlet temperatures, compressor outlet pressure, manometer level
and slope.
5. Increase the pressure to 2 bar (or kg/cm​2​) by gradually closing the air receiver discharge
valve and observe the compressor outlet pressure gauge.
6. Repeat steps (4) and (5) until required pressure is reached, e.g. 7 bar (or kg/cm​2​).
7. After experiment, stop the compressor motor by pressing the “STOP” button at the
advance inverter and switch off ELCB and CB.

Figure 3: Advance Inverter

SAFETY REMINDER
Follow directions for using the equipment & proper attire must be worn.
Flow coefficient, α = 0​ .6 Expansibility factor, ε = 0​ .99
Air density at 25°C, ρ = 1​ .18 kg/m​3 Atmospheric pressure, P​1 = 1​ 01325 Pa
Orifice diameter, d = 1​ 5 mm Number of cylinders = 2​
Compressor bore, B = 6​ 5 mm Compressor stroke, S = = 5​ 1 mm

Compressor outlet pressure, P​2

1 2 3 4 5 6 7
(bar or kg/cm​2​)

Motor speed, N​1

1480 1475 1472 1470 1469 1468 1467
(RPM)

Compressor speed, N​2

570 552 550 536 527 520 517
(RPM)

Motor electrical power, Ẇ EP

500 595 669 744 748 768 777
(W)

Compressor inlet temperature, T1​

2306 23.8 23.8 23.8 24.0 24.0 24.2
(°C)

Compressor outlet temperature, T2​

51.1 59.1 64.9 69.2 73.9 77.3 79.6
(°C)

Manometer slope
1:10 1:10 1:10 1:10 1:10 1:10 1:10
(1:10, 1:5 or 1:2)

Manometer level difference

11 10.5 9.5 9 7 6.5 5
(mm)

Air mass flow rate, ṁ

0.051 0.071 0.087 0.101 0.113 0.124 0.134
(kg/s)

Isothermal power, Ẇ iso

2950.1 6548.6 10213.3 13799.8 17167.3 20408.5 23693.5
(W)

Volumetric efficiency, η​volumetric

13.35 19.29 23.87 28.48 32.32 35.84 39.04
(%)

*Take note that the compressor outlet pressure, P​2​ is gauge pressure.
*1 kg/cm​2​ = 98100 Pa
DISCUSSION:
1. Calculation:
2
a. ṁ = αε πd4 √2ρ∆P

i) P 2,1 = P gage + P atm = 98100 + 101325 = 199425P a

2
ṁ = 0.6(0.99) π(0.015)
4 √2(1.18)(199425 − 101325) = 0.051kg/s
ii) P 2,2 = P gage + P atm = (2 × 98100) + 101325 = 297525P a
2
ṁ = 0.6(0.99) π(0.015)
4 √2(1.18)(297525 − 101325) = 0.071kg/s
iii) P 2,3 = P gage + P atm = (3 × 98100) + 101325 = 395625P a
2
ṁ = 0.6(0.99) π(0.015)
4 √2(1.18)(395625 − 101325) = 0.087kg/s
iv) P 2,4 = P gage + P atm = (4 × 98100) + 101325 = 493725P a
2
ṁ = 0.6(0.99) π(0.015)
4 √2(1.18)(493725 − 101325) = 0.101kg/s
v) P 2,5 = P gage + P atm = (5 × 98100) + 101325 = 591825P a
2
ṁ = 0.6(0.99) π(0.015)
4 √2(1.18)(591825 − 101325) = 0.113kg/s
vi) P 2,6 = P gage + P atm = (6 × 98100) + 101325 = 689925P a
2
ṁ = 0.6(0.99) π(0.015)
4 √2(1.18)(689925 − 101325) = 0.124kg/s
vii) P 2,7 = P gage + P atm = (7 × 98100) + 101325 = 788025P a
2
ṁ = 0.6(0.99) π(0.015)
4 √2(1.18)(788025 − 101325) = 0.134kg/s

b. Ẇ iso = P 1 V˙ 1 ln⁡ ( )
P2
P1

ṁ
V̇ 1 = ρ

0.051
i) V̇ 1 = 1.18
= 0.043m3 /s

Ẇ iso = 101325(0.043)ln⁡ ( 199425

101325 )
= 2950.1W

ii) V̇ 1 = 0.071
1.18
= 0.060m3 /s
Ẇ iso = 101325(0.060)ln⁡ ( 297525
101325 )
= 6548.6W

iii) V̇ 1 = 0.087
1.18
= 0.074m3 /s
Ẇ iso = 101325(0.074)ln⁡ ( 395625
101325 )
= 10213.3W
0.101
iv) V̇ 1 = 1.18
= 0.086m3 /s
 Ẇ iso = 101325(0.086)ln⁡ ( 493725
101325 )
= 13799.8W

v) V̇ 1 = 0.113
1.18
= 0.096m3 /s
Ẇ iso = 101325(0.096)ln⁡ ( 591825
101325 )
= 17167.3W

vi) V̇ 1 = 0.124
1.18
= 0.105m3 /s
Ẇ iso = 101325(0.105)ln⁡ ( 689925
101325 )
= 20408.5W

vii) V̇ 1 = 0.134
1.18
= 0.114m3 /s
Ẇ iso = 101325(0.114)ln⁡ ( 788025
101325 )
= 23693.5W

c. V̇ theo = π ( B2 ) 2 (2s)( N60c )

V̇ 1
η volumetric = V̇ theo
i) V̇ theo = π ( 0.065
2
) 2 (2 × 0.051)( 570
60
) = 3.22 × 10−3 m3 /s
0.043
η volumetric = 3.22×10 −3 = 13.35%
2
ii) V̇ theo = π ( 0.065
2
) (2 × 0.051)( 55260
) = 3.11 × 10−3 m3 /s
0.060
η volumetric = 3.11×10 −3 = 19.29%
0.065 2
iii) V̇ theo = π ( 2 ) (2 × 0.051)( 550 60
) = 3.10 × 10−3 m3 /s
0.074
η volumetric = 3.10×10 −3 = 23.87%
0.065 2
iv) V̇ theo = π ( 2 ) (2 × 0.051)( 536 60
) = 3.02 × 10−3 m3 /s
0.086
η volumetric = 3.02×10 −3 = 28.48%
0.065 2
v) V̇ theo = π ( 2 ) (2 × 0.051)( 527 60
) = 2.97 × 10−3 m3 /s
0.096
η volumetric = 2.97×10 −3 = 32.32%
2
vi) V̇ theo = π ( 0.0652
) (2 × 0.051)( 52060
) = 2.93 × 10−3 m3 /s
0.105
η volumetric = 2.93×10 −3 = 35.84%
0.065 2
vii) V̇ theo = π ( 2 ) (2 × 0.051)( 517 60
) = 2.92 × 10−3 m3 /s
0.114
η volumetric = 2.92×10 −3 = 39.04%

2. Based on the formula P v = mRT ,the mass of the air increase as the compressor outlet
pressure increase. Hence, the mass of the air increased, the mass flow rate of the air also
increased.

3. According to the formula Ẇ iso = P 1 V˙ 1 ln⁡ ( ) , when the compressor outlet pressure
P2
P1
increase, the isothermal power also increased.

4. Average of motor electrical power= 500+595+669+744+748+768+777

7
= 685.9W
2950.1+6548.6+10213.3+13799.8+17167.3+20408.5+23693.5
Average of isothermal power= 7
= 13540.2W
Isothermal power is higher than motor electrical power. This is because heat lost in motor
electrical power while the temperature constant in isothermal power so the motor
electrical power is lower than isothermal power.
 V̇ 1
5. Based on the formula η volumetric = V̇ theo
, when the compressor outlet pressure increased,
volume flow rate also increased. Hence, the volumetric efficiency also increased.

6. The possible error in this experiment is the result of the pressure and temperature is not
stable. Hence, this error can be solved by repeat conduct the experiment and get the
average value. Next, there might also have error due to the instrument used to carry out
the experiment, the machine used in this experiment may be not functioning well. Thus, it
will affect the results. So, we must ensure the machine used is functioning well before the
experiment conducted. The other error is the result of the manometer level difference.
The position of the observer’s eyes must be ensure perpendicular to the reading of
manometer.

Conclusion:
In conclusion,
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