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Compression Analysis

Compression 

 

Introduction 
 

This section provides an isentropic compression analysis when the working fluid is air. 
 

Analysis 
 

In the presented compression analysis, only air is considered as the working fluid behaving as a perfect gas -- specific heat has a constant value.  Ideal gas state equation is valid -- pv = RT. 
 

Air enters a compressor at point 1 and it exits the compressor at point 2.  Isentropic compression is considered with no entropy change. 
 

Figure 1 presents a compression schematic layout.

Figure 1 - Compression Schematic Layout 
 

Figure 2 presents a compression temperature vs entropy diagram.

Figure 2 - Compression Temperature vs Entropy Diagram 
 

Figure 3 presents compression specific power input requirements for a few typical compression ratio values.  It should be noted that the air enters the compressor at standard ambient conditions of 298 [K] and 1 [atm] of absolute pressure.

Figure 3 - Compression Specific Power Input 
 

Figure 4 presents compression power input requirements for two typical compression ratio values and a few different working fluid mass flow rate values for a fixed compression inlet temperature.

Figure 4 - Compression Power Input 
 

One can notice that both compression specific power input and power input increase with an increase in the compression ratio values.  As the working fluid mass flow rate increases for a fixed compression inlet temperature, the compression power input requirements increase too. 
 

Assumptions 
 

Working fluid is air.  There is no friction and heat transfer. Compression is isentropic -- there is no entropy change.  Ideal gas state equation is valid -- pv = RT.  Air behaves as a perfect gas -- specific heat has a constant value. 
 

Governing Equations 
 

T2/T1 = (p2/p1)^(Ï°-1)/Ï°
Ï° = cp/cv
cp - cv = R
pv = RT
w = c
p(T2 - T1)
W = c
p(T2 - T1)m

 

Input Data 
 

T1 = 298 [K]
p
1 = 1 [atm]
p
2 = 5, 10 and 15 [atm]
R = 0.2867 [kJ/kg*K]
c
p = 1.004 [kJ/kg*K]

Ï° = 1.4 [/]
m = 50, 100 and 150 [kg/s]

​

Results 


Specific Power Input vs Compression Ratio
Compression Inlet Temperature = 298 [K] 

Compression
Ratio
[/]

5

10

15

Specific Power
Input
[kW/kg/s]

174

278

349

Power Input vs Compression Ratio for a few Mass Flow Rates
Compression Inlet Temperature = 298 [K]

Power Input
[MW]

Compression Ratio
[/]

5

15

Mass Flow Rate
[kg/s]

50

8.7

17.5

100

17.4

34.9

150

26.0

52.4

Conclusions 


Both compression specific power input and power input increase with an increase in the compression ratio values.  As the working fluid mass flow rate increases for a fixed compression inlet temperature, the compression power input requirements increase too. 
 

References 


JANAF Thermochemical Data - Tables, 1970

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