CENTRIFUGAL

COMPRESSOR
PERFORMANCE
PERFORMANCE CURVE

Pressure ratio

Operating point
rp

Q
Suction capacity
Choking

Surge

Performance

Capacity control
CHOKING
SONIC SPEED

CHOKING

Flow velocity = sonic speed

SONIC SPEED

Flow

Pressure

Sonic speed = a Flow velocity = c

𝑐≤𝑎
COMPRESSOR CHOKING

rp

c=a

Stone wall
Choke line
CHOKING

Q
IMPELLER INDUCER

𝐵𝑙𝑎𝑑𝑒 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑒𝑑 = 𝜔 ∙ 𝒓

Same max velocity

Small average velocity

Late choking
 N can be increased
 higher Q and P
SURGE
FLOW SEPARATION

FLOW SEPARATION

back flow

P P P
back flow

𝒅𝑷 𝒅𝑷
<𝟎 >𝟎
𝒅𝒙 𝒅𝒙

Favorable Adverse
pressure gradient pressure gradient
AIRFOIL STALL

STALL
P P P
Lift

Lift

Angle of attack
COMPRESSOR STALL

STALL
rp

P P

Q
 ROTATING STALL

Direction of propagation of stall

 SURGE

rp

PP
PP

Q
COMPRESSOR STALL 1
COMPRESSOR STALL 2
DIFFUSER BLADES

P
P
SURGE EFFECT

Noise and vibrations

P & Q fluctuations

Continuous T rise

Damage of seals & bearings

AIR COMPRESSOR SURGE
TURBOCHARGER SURGE
AIRPLANE ENGINE COMPRESSOR SURGE
SURGE CONTROL

Blow off valve Bypass valve

Anti-surge valve
Atm
(ASV)

Blow off Cooler

valve

P P

For air compressors For compressors handling

dangerous gases
PERFORMANCE
PERFORMANCE MAP

Pressure ratio

Suction capacity
CAPACITY CONTROL
1/4 THROTTLING 2/4 BYPASS CONTROL

Cooler
 3/4 INLET GUIDE VANES (IGV) 4/4 SPEED CONTROL

rp rp
Open

Q Q
More suitable for single stage
compressors