Mechanical Operations

COMPRESSOR
Chapter 8
Function : to compresses the air or the gas,
the compressor can work as a booster, if
Transportation of Fluids: the pressure of the gas is more than 1 atm.
The compressor can work as a vacuum
Fans, Blowers, and Compressors pump, if the pressure is below 1 atm.

Dr. Nonni Soraya Sambudi

Email : [email protected]
1/13
 1.Stage 1 (Low-Pressure Stage): Gas is drawn
into the first cylinder during the suction stroke.
The piston then compresses it during the
compression stroke. After compression, the gas
leaves the cylinder through the discharge valve.
2.Intercooling: The gas, which is now at an
elevated temperature, enters an intercooler,
where it is cooled by heat exchange with a
coolant (usually air or water). This reduces the
gas temperature before it enters the next stage.
3.Subsequent Stages (High-Pressure Stages):
The cooled gas from the intercooler enters the
Advantages of Multistage Compressors: next cylinder, where the process is repeated.
1.Higher Pressure Ratios Each stage increases the pressure and
2.Improved Efficiency. temperature of the gas, and the cycle continues
3.Lower Discharge Temperatures until the desired pressure level is achieved.
4.Aftercooling: After the final compression
stage, the gas may pass through an aftercooler
to further reduce its temperature before it is
used or stored.
 Working Principle
•Suction: Gas is drawn into the
compressor when the orbiting scroll is
at its lowest position, creating a gap
between the scrolls due to their
spirals. The suction port is open,
allowing gas to enter.
•Compression: The electric motor
drives the orbiting scroll upward,
closing the gap between the scrolls
and trapping the gas in pockets. Gas is
compressed as the orbiting scroll
moves upward, reducing the pocket's
volume.
•Discharge: At the top of its path, the
orbiting scroll reaches its maximum
pressure. The discharge port opens,
expelling the compressed gas from the
compressor.
 Operation of Vane Compressor
1. Suction
2. Compression
3. Discharge

Operation of Dynamic Compressor:

1.Suction: The compressor draws gas into the inlet or suction
port. The impeller's rotation imparts kinetic energy to the gas,
which accelerates it radially outward.
2.Acceleration: As the gas passes through the impeller, it moves
from the center to the outer edge of the impeller blades. This
process increases the gas's velocity while decreasing its pressure.
At the impeller's exit, the gas has high kinetic energy.
3.Diffusion: The high-velocity gas flows into the diffuser, where its
Key Components of Roto-Dynamic Compressors:
velocity is reduced, and the kinetic energy is converted into
1.Impeller or Rotor: The impeller is a rotating component with curved blades (also
called vanes or blades) attached to it. The impeller imparts kinetic energy to the pressure energy. The diffuser typically has a gradually expanding
incoming gas as it spins. cross-section, allowing the gas to slow down and increase in
2.Diffuser: The diffuser is a stationary component that follows the impeller. It pressure.
decelerates the high-velocity gas and converts its kinetic energy into pressure energy, 4.Discharge: The high-pressure gas exits the compressor through
increasing the gas pressure.
the discharge port, having been compressed in the process.
3.Casing: The casing is the outer shell that encloses the entire assembly, helping to
direct and control the flow of the gas. It also supports the rotor and diffuser.
 Analysis of The Compressor

Stress: F 1 1 AL  2
= U = F .L =  A  L = .
A 2 2 2 E
 = L
Strain : Example : spring (stores the strain energy)
L F
On the stress-strain curve,
Compression in fluids : p =
A
0 – the proportional limit, the increase in σ is Volumetric V
proportional to ε (linear) is called the elastic strain : V (Where A
region, V L constant)
p = K = K
V L
It applies: σ = ε . E
K is the bulk modulus of the fluid. For
E : modulus of elasticity. liquids, the value of K is fixed,
independent of pressure
To compress the material, a force F is needed
Energy stored in fluids,
which does work on the solid, the work is stored
1 1 Lp AL p 2
in the substance as strain energy. (U). W = F L = Ap = .
2 2 K 2 K
If the fluid is a gas, then the bulk modulus K is not strain energy W =
constant, depending on the pressure p2
Ldp AL AL
𝐾 =
𝑑𝑝
= K.P W = A  pdL = A =  dp = p
𝑑𝑣
𝑣   p1

Cp
K= So the energy stored in the gas compression process
Cv depends on the increase in pressure Δp and the value K

Where K is the ratio of specific heat at constant In general, the conditions of the standard air for compressors
pressure and fixed volume of gas used in industry are as follows:
Temperature : 20 oC
Pressure : 760 mmHg (0,1013 MPa)
P = absolute pressure of the gas Relative Humidity : 65 %
Specific weight : 1,204 kgf/m3 (11,807 N/m3)

CONSTANTA GAS
If the temperature is based on a scale oK → (T) = oK, 760 mmHg (0,1013 MPa)
Temperature is known as : V1 T1 Air
“Absolute temperature” : T ( oK) = 273 + t (oC), Then = Constanta Oxygen Nitrogen Hydrogen
Carbon
V2 T2 gas Dry Moist (O2) (N2) (H2)
dioxide
(0 oC) (20 oC) (CO2)
In a constant pressure process, the gas volume is directly
proportional to its absolute temperature oK. R(m/K) 29,27 29,46 26,50 30,26 420,6 19,27

Equation of State : Gas Compression Process

PV = nRT P = Absolute Pressure (Pa) Gas compression can be done in 3 ways :
V = volume (m3) 1. Isothermal compression
pν = RT n = number of the mol of the gas Mechanical energy → gas → thermal energy → temperature rises, if the
pressure is higher. If the compression process is accompanied by a cooling
T = Absolute Temperature (oK)
process → the air temperature in the cylinder can be maintained constant. →
R = gas constant (m/oK) Pv = fixed

This process is very useful in theoretical analysis, in the actual process even
though the cylinder is cooled → it is difficult/impossible to keep the air
temperature in the cylinder constant.
 2. Adiabatic Compression 3. Polytropic Processes
No heat escapes or enters the air/gas. In practice it is The actual process is not isothermal & also not adiabatic.
difficult, but this adiabatic condition is often used in So, the actual compression process, which is between the
theoretical studies of compression processes. two conditions, is called polytropic compression

𝑃𝑣 𝑛 = constant
𝑝𝑣 𝜅 = constant Cp
 = n = polytropic index, the value is between isothermal and
Cv adiabatic processes. n = 0 (isobaric) ; n = 1 (isothermal) ; n =
k for adiabatic. * note: for ideal gas: Cp - Cv = R
When compared with an isothermal compressor, the adiabatic Cp
= 
process will produce a higher compressor/pressure for the same Cp Cv R R Cv
volume. - = →  -1 =
Cv Cv Cv Cv
Example: volume reduced by ½ → isothermal pressure 2x,
adiabatic 2.64 → work required (adiabatic process) is greater. R 
𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝐶𝑣 = → Cp = R
𝜅−1  -1

Steady Flow Energy Equation: Where the internal energy:

(Energy Conservation)
dp dp p
e = dh - , dh = e + → h=e+
  
Then : V12 V22
Potential Internal Flow energy Heat Transfer Work
h1 + = h2 + + W
Energy (pressure) Kinetic Energy 2 2
p1 V12 p2 V22
e1 + + = e2 + + +W
 2g 2 2
Energy Engine Energy 2 W = E ~ transfer energy,
1 + work assigned on engine 1 -2)
V12 V22
For adiabatic flow ~ there is no heat transfer (q = 0), there is no
difference in the heights of points 1 and 2, Z1 = Z2, so:
h1 + = h2 + + E
2 2
 dp dp
In compressors or gas turbines the use of enthalpy and kinetic dh = − E + → E = dh -
energy is generally combined and expressed in the form of total  
enthalpy (ho).
Where the increase in enthalpy in a compressible fluid is
V2 V12 V22
ho = h + , then , h1 + = h2 + + E defined as dp
2 2 2 Tds = dh − = E

h01 = h02 + E
For isentropic ideal compression, then
E = h01 - h02 =
p 2 − p1
h02 − h01 = (density is considered constant)
Where E is the energy transferred to the fluid engine or known 
as head = pressure height in the centrifugal pump.
In pumps and compressors, the total enthalpy increases,
E = Vu1 U1 - Vu2 U2 = - gH
so that > h01 → the transferred energy is negative.
gH = - E = Vu2 U2 - Vu1 U1 - E = h02 - h01
The ideal condition :
gH = - E = Vu2 U2

Centrifugal Compressor :
COMPRESSOR
pd
Fan < 0,07 atm pressure ratio = 1 s/d 1,1
𝐶𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑏𝑙𝑒 ps
Both reciprocating and centrifugal or Blower 0,07 s/d 3 atm → 1,1 s/d 3
𝐹𝑙𝑢𝑖𝑑 Compressor > 3 atm → > 3
axial have the function of supplying
compressed air By construction:
Ideal gas equation: - radial compressor
m
p = ρRT  = ( Kg / m 3 ) - axial compressor
v
reciprocating
pv = m R T R = gas constant 287 J/Kg K Piston < 30 atm
Rotary < 4000 atm
T = K
pv
= m. R
T
 Processes that apply to Pressurized Fluids
compressible ρ changes
a.Isothermic process
If during the gas compression the gas temperature,
 p i vi 
pt pt
1 1 1 dp
  
suction temperature and pressure are constant
H iso = v dp =   dp = pi vi
g g pi  p  g pi
p
pi vi = pt vt = constant pt = p compress
pi = p suction
p i vi
v = 1
p v = v = specific volume 1 p
p −p  H iso = pi vi ln t
where : H= t i
g pi
(incompressible) p − p
t i
=
 . g cp
= n , n = 1
1 cv
H = v . dp
g

b. Polytropic Processes

If during the compression, there is heat transfer and

temperature changes :
p . vn = konstan n = 1,0 ÷ 1,4
 cp 
pi .v = p v
n
i
n
t t
  = n
 cv  1
1
pv n
 n  pi vin n
vi =  t t
 → v =  
 pi   p 
pt
1
 pi vin  n
 
1
H pol =
g 
pi

 p
 dp

I -piston compressors; II -diaphragm compressors; III -rotary vane  n −1

compressors, liquid-ring compressors, jet compressors; IV -rotary 1  n    pt  n

compressor; V -centrifugal-type compressors; VI -axial flow H pol =   pi vi    −1 
compressors, VII -scroll compressors g  n −1   pi  
 
c. Adiabatic Process Density:
The specific density (ρ1) of an ideal gas is most easily
If during the utilization, there is no heat transfer (no heat expressed in terms of stagnation temperature T01, and
leaving and entering the process) stagnation pressure p01. Because these parameters generally
cp
p – vk = konstan қ = 1,4 = n = 1,4 remain the same when they enter the compressor.
 T
cv
 p To p
= → =
 k −1
 o po T po  o To
1  k    pt  k

H adiabatis =   pi vi    −1  cp To = cp T +
1
V2
g  k −1   pi   2
  kR V
cp = where M =
k −1
(kRT )
1
Power (P) = γ Q H ηt 2
Then :
= ρ.g.Q H ηt
m g H ηt To k −1 ao2 ao = speed of sound stagnation
=
Isentropic efficiency
=1 + M = 2
2
a = static speed of sound
T 2 a

Actual Work Compression

For Isentropic Flow

k
Based on the First law of thermodynamic:
p T  k −1
=  
po  To 
Then :
1− k −1
1 T  ( k −1)  k −1 2  k −1
=  1  =  1+ M1  Potential Internal Flow energy Heat Transfer Work
o  To   2  Energy (pressure) Kinetic Energy

Where :  o = po ( R To )
Actual Work Compression
Example :
An aircraft is flying at a cruising speed of 250 m/s at an altitude of
5000 m where the atmospheric pressure is 54.05 kPa and the
ambient air temperature is 255.7 K. The ambient air is first
decelerated in a diffuser before it enters the compressor. Assuming
both the diffuser and the compressor to be isentropic.
Determine (a) the stagnation pressure at the compressor inlet and
(b) the required compressor work per unit mass if the
stagnation pressure ratio of the compressor is 8.

Fan
• A fan is a mechanical device used to
create airflow by rotating blades or vanes.
Fans are designed to move air or other
gases to provide ventilation, cooling,
circulation, or to create a breeze
11/13