A two-stage air compressor operates at steady state, compressing 10 m^3/min of air from 1 bar, 300 K, to 10 bar. An intercooler between two stages cools the air to 300 K at constant pressure of 3 bar. The compression processes are isentropic. Calculate the power required to run the compressor, in kW, and compare the results to the power required for isentropic compression from the same inlet state to the same final pressure.
Reconsider question 2 (i) and include in the analysis that each compressor stage has an isentropic efficiency of 85%.
The two stage compressor of question 2(ii) is part of a regenerative gas turbine. The turbine inlet temperature is 1300 K and the turbine has an isentropic efficiency of 87%. The regenerator effectiveness is 80%. Determine,
(a) The thermal efficiency.
(b) The rate of heat addition, in kW.
(c) The net power developed, in kW.