One very interesting branch of physics is thermodynamics, especially for getting insight in air compressors. In this article we are talking about changes of state for gases, following up on our introduction to thermodynamics.
Changes in state for a gas can be followed from one point to another in a p/V diagram. For real-life cases, three axes for the variables p, V and T are required. With a change in state, we are moved along a 3-dimensional curve on the surface in the p, V and T space. However, to simplify, we usually consider the projection of the curve in one of the three planes. This is usually the p/V plane. Five different changes in state can be considered:
Heating a gas in an enclosed container is an example of the isochoric process at constant volume.
Heating a gas in a cylinder with a constant load on the piston is an example of the isobaric process at constant pressure.
If a gas in a cylinder is compressed isothermally, a quantity of heat equal to the applied work must be gradually removed. This is unpractical, as such a slow process cannot occur.
An isentropic process exists if a gas is compressed in a fully-insulated cylinder without any heat exchange with the surroundings. It may also exist if a gas is expanded through a nozzle so quickly that no heat exchange with the surroundings has time to occur.
The isothermal process involves full heat exchange with the surroundings and the isotropic process involves no heat exchange whatsoever. In reality, all processes occur somewhere in between these extreme: the polytropic process.
The relation for such a process is:
To understand the workings of compressed air, a basic introduction to physics can come a long way. Learn more about thermodynamics and how they are vital in understanding how air compressors work.
To understand the workings of compressed air, a basic introduction to physics can come a long way. Learn more about thermodynamics and how they are vital in understanding how air compressors work.
To understand the workings of compressed air, a basic introduction to physics can come a long way. Learn more about thermodynamics and how they are vital in understanding how air compressors work.
