Compressor Power Formula - Step by Step Explanations
Compressor Power Formula - Step by Step Explanations
Compressor Power Formula - Step by Step Explanations
In MyEngineeringTools page dedicated to compressor power calculation, there are 2 formula given, a
general formula, and a simplified one. The simplified one is the following, for 1 compressor stage of a
perfect gas, the isentropic compression is :
Pis = 2.31*(k/(k-1))*(Tdis-Tsuct)/M*Qm
With : Pis=Power (kW)
Tsuct=Temperature inlet
compressor (K)
(K)
Tdischarge=Temperature outlet compressor
M=Molar weight of gas (g/mol)
Qm=Compressor throughput (t/h)
Now where this formula is coming from, where the 2.31 coefficient is coming from ? As we received
a lot of questions on this matter, we decided to propose a dedicated page explaining how to reach
this simplified expression, from the general one, as usual in a step by step approach which is the
trade mark of MyEngineeringTools.com.
(k 1)/k
Had = (k*Z*R*T1)/(k-1)*[(P2/P1)(k-1)/k-1]
The work required during the compression is equal to the adiabatic head multiplied by the mass flow rate of
gas, and divided by 1000 in order to express it in kW :
With : Pis=Power (kW)
Had= Adiabatic head (N.m/kg)
Qm=Compressor throughput (kg/s)
1000 W/kW
Pis = (k*Z*R*T1)/(k-1)*[(P2/P1)(k-1)/k-1]*Qm
With : Pis=Power (W)
Z = gas compressibility factor (can be defined on an Amagat diagram by calculating the reduced pressure
and reduced temperature of the gas)
P1 = Pressure inlet compressor (kPa)
P2 = Pressure outlet compressor (kPa)
Qm=Compressor throughput (kg/s)
k=Gas isentropic coefficient
R = [8314/molecular weight (J/(kg.K))]/1000 = 8.314/molecular weight
R is actually equal to 8.314 (J/K/kmol) / M (kg/kmol) (see above), it can thus be replaced in the formula :