A two-stage air compressor operates at steady state,

Chapter 9, Problem 9.77

(choose chapter or problem)

A two-stage air compressor operates at steady state, compressing \(10 \mathrm{~m}^{3} / \mathrm{min}\) of air from 100 kPa, 300 K to 1200 kPa. An intercooler between the two compressor stages cools the air at constant pressure to 300 K. Each compressor stage has the same isentropic efficiency. For values of interstage pressure ranging from 100 to 1200 kPa and isentropic efficiencies of 100%, 80%, and 60%, plot in kW

(a) the power required by each stage.

(b) the rate of heat transfer from the intercooler.

(c) the decrease in power input as compared to a single stage of compression (no intercooling) having the same isentropic efficiency as each of the two stages.