Efficiency tests of an air compressing plant

Abstract

Introduction: The air compressor plant tested is a part of the equipment of the Mechanical Engineering Laboratory at the Kansas State Agricultural College. It consists of a vertical steam engine, an air compressor, an air receiver, and a Westinghouse steam engine used as an air motor. The arrangement of the plant is shown in the accompanying scheme. The vertical steam engine is supposed to develop about ten horse power when running at two hundred fifty recolutions per minute. The diameter of its piston is six inches, and its stroke is eight inches. The diameter of the piston rod is one and one-eighth inches. The engine receives steam from a two and one-half inch pipe, which is connected to the steam main. The steam before reaching the engine passes through a steam separator. The condition of the steam was about .995. The engine exhausted into the air. The air compressor is of the Ingersoll –Sergeant make. The diameter of its piston is eight inches, and its stroke is eight inches. The diameter of its piston rod is one and three-eighths inches. The compressor is driven by the steam engine with a two ply leather belt. The Westinghouse steam engine which was used as an air motor consists of two vertical, single acting cylinders. The diameter of the pistons are five inches, and their stroke six inches. The cranks are one hundred and eighty degrees apart.