COMPRESSOR STALL
AND AIRFLOW CONTROL
AIM
• Aim of this presentation is to present about
the Compressor stall and air flow control.
OBJECTIVE
• To obtain knowledge on compressor stall and
air flow control.
WHAT IS A COMPRESSOR?
• Compressors impart energy to the air stream
raising its pressure and temperature.
• They are designed to operate efficiently over
as wide a range of operating conditions as
possible.
TYPES OF COMPRESSOR
1. Centrifugal flow
2. Axial flow
CENTRIFUGAL FLOW
CENTRIFUGAL COMPRESSOR FUNCTION.
The final volume and mass airflow delivered
by the centrifugal compressor is dependent
on,
1) Pressure ratio
2) Operating RPM
3) Diameter of the impeller
THE AXIAL FLOW COMPRESSOR
The axial flow compressor is
• the most popular type of compressor
• more difficult to manufacture
• more efficient compressor.
Axial Flow Compressor Function
Axial Flow Compressor Function.
•
The airflow then passes through the divergent passages formed by the stator blades
which convert some of the kinetic energy into pressure energy and directs the airflow
onto the next set of rotors at the correct angle. The airflow emerges from each stage at
approximately the same velocity as it entered, but with an increase (approximately
1.2:1) in pressure and, an increase in temperature. See graph below.
COMPRESSOR BLADE ATTACHMENT
METHODS
THE MASS AND FINAL VOLUME OF THE
AIRFLOW
• Pressure Ratio.
• Diameter. smaller in diameter than the
centrifugal type.
• Operating RPM.
COMPRESSOR STALL
WHAT IS A COMPRESSOR STALL?
• when the airflow over its surface has broken down and no
lift is being produced.
• If a row of compressor blades stall, then they will not be
able to pass the airflow rearwards to the next stage and
the airflow to the combustion chamber will ultimately stop.
SURGE
• ‘Surge’ can occur in both centrifugal and axial
flow compressors and is the reversal of the
airflow in the compressor.
• cause serious damage to the engine
• flow compressor, ‘surge’ is nearly always
preceded by stalling of some of the
compressor blades.
• The lack of rearward airflow will allow the air
in the combustion chamber to flow forward
into the compressor until it reaches the row of
stalled blades.
• Then a violent backwards and forwards
oscillation of the airflow is likely to occur,
which can rapidly cause extensive damage to
the compressor blades and also over-heating
of the combustion and turbine assemblies.
DESIGN POINT
• The point at which the compressor reaches its
maximum efficiency .
• Compressors are designed to be most efficient
in the higher rpm range of operation.
• the compressor produces a given
compression ratio
axial velocity of the gas
COMPRESSION RATIO VARIES WITH RPM
10:1
COMPRESSION
RATIO
4:1
4000 8000
RPM Compressor R.P.M = 8,000 Compressor R.P.M. = 4,000
Compression Ratio = 10:1 Compression Ration = 4:1
Volume of gas (V1) = 100cm3 Volume of gas (V1) = 50cm3
Volume of gas (V2) = 10cm3 Volume of gas (V2) = 12.5cm3
• compression ratio varies with rpm it is not
proportional to rpm.
EFFECT OF VELOCITY ON BLADE ANGLE
• a. Axial velocity will increase as it moves towards the rear stages relative to
the front Low pressure stages.
• b…Since all stages are rotating at the same speed, there will be a NEGATIVE
angle of attack at the rear high pressure stages and a POSITIVE angle of attack
at the front low pressure stages.
increased velocity at the rear of the compressor
outlet of the compressor will choke
front compressor blades stalling
end result will be compressor surge.
EFFECT OF VARIABLE
GUIDE VANE ON
COMPRESSOR STAGE
• To overcome
-a bleed valve is normally fitted in an intermediate stage of the
compressor to bleed off the excess volume of air.
inlet guide vanes are used to pre-swirl the air onto the rotor
blades.
SURGE LINES
the compressor is run at a constant speed
mass airflow is gradually decreased
increase in pressure ratio
becomes turbulent and the compressor surges
During normal operation the engine is never allowed to operate beyond the surge
line.
A safety margin is established and the fuel and airflow control systems are adjusted
so the engine will run within the safe limits
COMMON CAUSES OF COMPRESSOR STALL
• Excessive fuel flow caused by abrupt engine acceleration
• Operation of the engine outside of its RPM design
parameters affecting the rotational speed of the
compressor blade
• Turbulent or distorted / disrupted airflow to the
engine inlet reducing the axial velocity
• Damage to either the compressor or turbine blades
• Low fuel flow due to abrupt engine deceleration causing a
decreased back pressure
RECENT INNOVATIONS
• designed and profiled using 3-D design
techniques.
Stagger Angle and End Bend
3-D Blades.
