SECTION 6

Problem 6.1
A three-stage compressor is required to compress air from 150 kN/m 2 and 283 K to 4000
kN/m 2 . Calculate the ideal intermediate pressures, the work required per kilogram of gas, and
the isothermal efficiency of the process. Assume the compression to be adiabatic and the
interstage cooling to cool the air to the initial temperature. Show qualitatively, by means of
temperature-entropy diagrams, the effect of unequal work distribution and imperfect
intercooling, on the performance of the compressor.

Answer:

Problem 6.2
A twin-cylinder, single-acting compressor, working at 5 Hz, delivers air at 515 kN/m 2 pressure at
the rate of 0.2 m 3 /s. If the diameter of the cylinder is 20 cm, the cylinder clearance ratio 5% and the
temperature of the inlet air 283 K, calculate the length of stroke of the poison and the delivery
temperature.

Answer:

Problem 6.3
A single-stage double-acting compressor running at Hz is used to compress air from 110 kN/m 2 and
282 K to 1150 kN/m 2 . If the internal diameter of the cylinder is 20 cm, the length of stroke 25 cm, and
the piston clearance 5%, calculate:
(a) The maximum capacity of the machine, referred to air at the initial temperature and pressure;
and
(b) The theoretical power requirements under isentropic conditions.

Answer:

Problem 6.4
Methane is to be compressed from atmospheric pressure to 30MN/m 2 in four stages.
Calculate the ideal intermediate pressures and the work required per kilogram of gas. Assume
compression to be isentropic and the gas to behave as an ideal gas indicate on a temperature-
entropy diagram the effect of imperfect intercooling on the work done at each stage.

Answer:

Problem 6.5
An air-lift raises 0.01m 3 /s of water from a well 100m deep through a 100mm diameter pipe.
The level of the water is 40m below the surface. The air consumed is 0.1m 3 /s of free air
compressed to 800kN/m 2 .
Calculate the efficiency of the pump and the mean velocity of the mixture in the pipe.

Answer:
Problem 6.6
In a single-stage compressor:
Suction pressure = 101.3kN/m 2 .
Suction temperature = 283K.
Final pressure = 380kN/m 2 .
Compression is adiabatic.
If each new charge is heated 18K by contact with the clearance gases calculate the maximum
temperature attained in the cylinder

Answer:

Problem 6.7
A single-acting reciprocating pump has a cylinder diameter of 115mm and a stroke of 230mm.
The suction line is 6m long and 50mm diameter and the level of the water in the suction tank is
3m below the cylinder of the pump. What is the maximum speed at which the pump can run
without an air vessel if separation is not to occur in the suction line? The piston undergoes
approximately simple harmonic motion. Atmospheric pressure is equivalent to a head of 10.4m
of water and separation occurs at pressure corresponding to a head of 1.22m of water.

Answer:

Problem 6.8
An air-life pump is used for raising 800cm 3 /s of liquid of specific gravity 1.2 to a height of
20m.air is available at 450kN/m 2 .if the efficiency of the pump is 30% calculate the power
requirement assuming isentropic compression of the air (ɣ = 1.4).

Answer:

Problem 6.9
A single-acting air compressor supplies. 0.1m 3 /s of air (at STP) compressed to 380 kN/m 2
pressure. 101.3 kN/m 2 pressure if the suction temperature is 288.5K the stroke is 250mm and
the speed is 4Hz, find the cylinder diameter assume the cylinder clearance is 4% and
compression and re-expansion are isentropic (ɣ = 1.4). What is the theoretical power required
for the compression?

Answer:

Problem 6.10
Air at 290K is compressed from 101.3 to 2000kN/m 2 pressure in a two-stage compressor
operating with a mechanical efficiency of 85%. The relation The relation between pressure and
1.25
volume during the compression stroke and expansion of the clearance gas is PV = constant.
The compression ration in each of the two cylinders is the same and the interstage cooler may
be taken as perfectly efficient if the clearances in the two cylinders are 4% and 5% respectively
calculate.

Answer:
Problem 6.11
Explain briefly the significance of the “specific speed” of a centrifugal or axial-flow pump.
A pump is designed to be driven at 10Hz and the operate at a maximum efficiency when delivering
0.4m 3 /s of water against a head of 20m. Calculate the specific speed. What type of pump does
this value suggest? A pump built for these operating conditions has a measured overall
efficiency of 70% the same pump is now required to deliver water at 30m head. At what speed
should the pump be driven if it is to operate at maximum efficiency? What will be the new rate
of delivery and the power required?

Answer:

Problem 6.12
A centrifugal pump is to be used to extract water from a condenser in which the vacuum is
640mm of mercury. At the rated discharge the net positive suction head must be at least 3m
above the cavitation vapour pressure of 710mm mercury vacuum. If losses in the suction pipe
account for a head of 1.5m what must be the least height of the liquid level in the condenser
above the pump inlet?

Answer:

Problem 6.13
What is meant by Net Positive Suction Head (NPSH) required by a pump? Explain why it exists
and how it can be made as low as possible. What happen if the necessary NPSH is not provided?
A centrifugal pump is to be used to circulate liquid (sp. gr. 0.80 and viscosity 0.5 mN s/m 2 ) from the
reboiler of as distillation column through a vaporizer at the rate of 400cm 3 /s. and to introduce
the superheated liquid above the vapour space in the reboiler which contains liquid to a depth
of 0.7m. Suggest a suitable layout if a smooth –bore 25mm pipe is to be used. The pressure of
the vapour in the reboiler is 1kN/m 2 and the NPSH required by the pump is 2m of liquid.

Answer: