Adiabatic compression of the air is defined as the compression in which no heat is added or subtracted from the air, and the internal energy of the air is increased, which is equal to the external work done on the air.
Adiabatic compression, also known as isentropic compression, is the opposite of isothermal compression. With adiabatic compression, the heat generated by compressing air is not removed from the system. Instead, all the heat generated during the act of compression stays in the compressed air.
During adiabatic compression, the temperature of the air increases due to the work done on the gas by the external force compressing it. This increase in temperature can be calculated using the adiabatic compression equation, which is given by:
P2/P1 = (V1/V2)^γ
where P1 and V1 are the initial pressure and volume of the air, P2 and V2 are the final pressure and volume of the air, and γ is the ratio of specific heats of the air (which is approximately 1.4 for air). Adiabatic processes PVγ = constant with γ>1; whereas Isothermal process follows PV = constant
The work done during adiabatic compression is also greater than in isothermal compression, as the air is being compressed against its own pressure due to the increase in temperature. This results in a higher compression ratio, which can be useful in some applications where a high-pressure output is required.
Adiabatic compression is commonly used in compressors for industrial applications such as air compressors, gas turbines, and engines. However, the increase in temperature during adiabatic compression can also be a disadvantage, as it can cause the air to reach high temperatures that may cause damage to the compressor or other components if not properly managed. As a result, adiabatic compression is often combined with other cooling methods to prevent the air from overheating.