Description

The apparatus consists of two floor-standing interconnected rigid vessels, one equipped for operation under pressure and the second under vacuum.

An electrically operated air pump connected to the top of the vessels, together with valves and tappings enables the appropriate vessel to be pressurised or evacuated as required to suit the teaching exercise.

The vessels can be used independently or together to enable different thermodynamic processes to be evaluated. A pressure sensor connected to each vessel and a temperature sensor inside each vessel permit the changes in the properties of the air contained within the vessels to be monitored continuously.

Both vessels are constructed from clear rigid plastic, which affords light insulation between the air inside the vessel and the surroundings to reduce heating/cooling. This also enables each vessel and its contents to return to ambient temperature reasonably quickly.

The capacity of the pressurised vessel is approximately 23 litres.
The capacity of the evacuated vessel is approximately 9 litres.

Each vessel incorporates the following features:

• Connection to the air pump via an isolating valve to enable the vessel to be pressurised/evacuated
• Connection to a piezoresistive sensor to measure the pressure / vacuum inside the vessel (range of both sensors ±34.5kN/m2)
• Connection to a large bore pipe and valve to enable depressurisation / pressurisation of the vessel to / from the atmosphere (the valve is rapidly opened and closed to provide a small step change in pressure)
• Interconnection between the two vessels via a large bore pipe and valve (fast change) and small bore pipe and needle valve (gradual change)
• Fast response thermistor to monitor air temperature inside relief valve to prevent overpressurisation

All power supplies, signal conditioning circuitry etc. are contained in a simple electrical console with appropriate current protection devices and an RCD for operator protection. The console is designed to stand on a bench top above the pressure and vacuum vessels and incorporates electrical connections for the air pump and sensors.

Readings from the pressure sensors and thermistors are displayed on a common digital meter with selector switch on the front of the console.

All important electronic sensors used on the unit provide outputs for data logging and analysis. The data logger, provided with the unit, interfaces between the unit and the user’s computer using a USB port.

The optional educational software package enables data recording, graph plotting and provides full instructions for setting up the equipment and performing the experiments.

All related theory and help texts are provided. The software requires a computer (not supplied) running Windows 7 or later with a USB port.

A user supplied chart recorder can also be utilised.

As the teaching exercises require the transient pressure and temperature responses to be observed and recorded one of these recording options is necessary.