Mechanical Engineering - Compressors, Gas Dynamics and Gas Turbines - Discussion

Performance of air compressor is measured in terms of its output.

At elevated altitudes, lower atmospheric pressure means that the air molecules are less tightly packed together and have lower density.

When an air compressor draws in the air as part of its intake process, it draws a fixed volume of air. If the air density is lower, fewer air molecules are drawn in with this air into the compressor. This results in a smaller volume of compressed air and less air is delivered to the receiver tank and tools during each compression cycle.

So, the performance of compressor will degrade at higher altitude.

At elevated altitudes, lower atmospheric pressure means that the air molecules are less tightly packed together and therefore have lower density. When an air compressor draws in air as part of its intake process it's typically a fixed volume of air so if the air density is less it means that there are fewer air molecules drawn into the compressor's cylinders/rotor lobes/vanes. Less air drawn in means less air compressed and less air delivered to the receiver tank and tools per compression cycle.

The work required for the air compressor is proportional to inlet temp and pressure at high altitude both values are low so work required will be low.

Because it will take more work to compress the low pressure air at higher altitude.

Performance will be high & work required will be low.