Compressor Selection

[AmandaWelsch]

Hi Guys,

I'm designing a fuel cell powered go-kart and I need to choose a compressor for the air feed. Here are the requirements for the device:

Inlet air at 20 degrees C and 1 bar, Exit air at 2 bars with a mass flow rate of 0.0068 kg/s. The exit temperature is negligible.

What kind of compressor would be best suited for the task? Are there any companies that make compressors for this small of an application? How big/how heavy would you expect it to be?

This isn't my usual area of work so any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Amanda

 

[bulkhandling]

Do not know what is the cfm or m3/hr. If you send your data to a supplier, he may probably quote the smallest one he has. The compressor will have a matched receiver with a minimum set pressure so the compressor does not have to run all the time but still supply air for your need. When pressure in the receiver is higher than a set pressure ( normally 10psi above your minimum set pressure) the compressor will stop running (or idle) and when pressure drops to the minimum, compressor will start again.

 

[zdas04]

That is 12 SCFM (or 17 MSCF/day) which is a small compressor, but not tiny--it takes about 1 hp. You didn't say what your size/weight/power limitations are (i.e., can you run the compressor off a power take-off or does it need its own motor?, is your space really tight or not a significant consideration? are you trying to minimize weight?).

Your requirements might be satisfied by something like a blower, or maybe a compressor like Land Rover is using to adjust their air suspension.

David

David Simpson, PE
MuleShoe Engineering

http://www.muleshoe-eng.com

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