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Q21. A reciprocating compressor is to be used to compress methane (CH₄) which enters at a temperature of 300 K and a pressure of 0.95 bar. For safety reasons, the temperature of the methane is not to exceed 400 K. The index of compression is 1.3.

Determine EACH of the following:

(a) The specific gas constant R for methane

(b) The maximum pressure which can safely be obtained in a single stage

(c) The volumetric efficiency of the single stage machine if the clearance volume is 4.5% of the swept volume:

(d) The maximum pressure which can safely be obtained using two stages with perfect intercooling

(e) The isothermal efficiency of the two-stage machine.

Note: Atomic mass relationships: H = 1; C = 12

The universal gas constant is 8.314 kJ/k mol K