Elementary Theory
•Total and static pressure and temperature rise across the rotor blades due to addition of
external work.
•Absolute flow undergoes acceleration across rotor blade rows.
•There is flow diffusion across stator blade rows, converting kinetic energy into
pressure.
•The design pressure rise is achieved in a number of stages.
Axial compressor
•The stator blades are attached to the
casing.
•The rotor blades force the gas to
move, impart pressure and velocity
•As the gas flows through an axial
compressor it occupies less volume
increasing its pressure.
•The rotor blades increase velocity and
stator blades convert it to pressure
Example of Axial compressors
Different axial
flow compressor
blades
A typical multistage axial flow
compressor (Rolls-Royce, 1992).
Axial compressor construction
An axial flow compressor stage
37
Multi-stage axial compressor
Compressor stage
The First Two Stages Of An Axial Compressor
PEMP
RMD 2501
Single Stage Axial
Compressor
Components of Axial Compressor
Rotor Stator
•Rotor
•Stator
•Casing
•Shaft
Applications of axial
compressor
•Gas turbine
Flow
•Turbocharger
•Process industry
Multistage Axial
Compressor
01 43
@ M.S.Ramaiah School of Advanced Studies
Variation of enthalpy, velocity, and pressure through
an axial flow compressor
Mollier diagram for an axial turbine stage
Mollier diagram for an axial compressor
stage
Axial Flow Compressors
static enthalpy rise in rotor
static enthalpy rise in the stage h
s
h
r
Degree of reaction
R is the ratio of static enthalpy in rotor to static enthalpy
rise in stage
R
Un-symmetrical Blading
If R > 0.5, then β
2 > α
1 and
the velocity diagram is
skewed to the right. The static
enthalpy rise in the rotor
exceeds that in the stator (this
is also true for the static
pressure rise).
If R < 0.5, then β
2 < α
1 and the
velocity diagram is skewed to
the left. The stator enthalpy
(and pressure) rise exceeds
that in the rotor.
Axial Flow Compressors
o1 o1
s
(tan
1 tan
2 )
2 2
tan
1 tan
1 tan
R
pressurerise per stage
tan
UC
a
p
a
T
[1
s T
s
]
/( 1)
p
p
o3
c
C
W m U (C
w1 C
w1 )
m UC
a (tan
2 tan
1 )
m UC
a (tan
2 tan
1 )
T
os T
o3 T
o1 T
o 2 T
o1
U
Axial flow
compressor
map
Axial flow compress
map
Axial flow
compress map
Centrifugal compressor
Industrial
three stage
centrifugal
compressor
Centrifugal Compressor
Multi Stage Centrifugal Compressor
Multi Stage Centrifugal Compressor
Types of entry inducer systems
Centrifugal Compressor
Centrifugal Compressor
Centrifugal Compressor
Multi Stage Centrifugal Compressor
Multi Stage Centrifugal Compressor
Multi Stage
Centrifugal
Compressor
Centrifugal
compressor
stage and
velocity
diagrams at
impeller entry
and exit.
Centrifugal compressor components
Centrifugal compressor
Centrifugal compressor
Centrifugal
compressor
Centrifugal compressors
Blades force air in the impeller to move. The impeller
adds both velocity and pressure to air.
Gas passes from the diffuser into the volute. The
conversion from velocity to pressure continues.
Centrifugal compressors
Compressor Impeller
Back to back impeller Split impeller
Various types of compressor blading
Types of Centrifugal Compressor Impeller
Radial exit impeller
Back swept impeller
Forward swept impeller
0
2
90
0
2 90
0
2
90
Forward sweep V
< U
2
Radial exit V
= U
2
Backward sweep V
> U
2
Impeller with splitter blades
Impeller with diffuser
Centrifugal compressor stage
Compressor construction
Casing Design
•Vertically Casing requires less sealing
Axial-flow compressor map
Centrifugal compressor map
Instability line
Instability line
Comparisons between axial and centrifugal
compressor
Rotating stall and surge
Tank
System valve
Tank
Interstage bleed valve
Stall bleed valve Surge bleed valve
System valve
Part-Span rotating stall with different stalled cells
Full-Span rotating stall with different stalled cells
Transient response of system in surge Transient response of system in stall
Stage losses in Axial Flow
Compressor
Profile Loss: This loss occurs due to growth of boundary layer & it separation on
blade profile. Separation of boundary layer occurs when adverse pressure gradient
on surface becomes too steep, this increases profile loss.
Shock in rotor losses : the inlet of rotor blades should be gradually expanded
to sustain weak oblique shock wave , if the blades are blunt the bow shock
wave will occurs and the losses will be higher .
incidence losses : occurs due to the off-design condition when the flow air enter
to impeller at positive incidence angle causes reduction in flow because of
instantaneous change of velocity at the blade in let comply with blade inlet
angle.
Disc friction losses : this losses result from frictional torque on the back surface
of the rotor sometimes called (external losses).
Clearance and leakage losses: Certain minimum clearances are necessary
between the impeller shaft and the casing and between the outlet periphery of
the impeller eye and the casing. The leakage of gas through the shaft clearance is
minimized by employing glands.
Secondary Loss: This loss occurs due to secondary flows in blades passage as shown
in fig. In axial flow compressor certain secondary flows are produced by combined
effect of curvature & boundary layer. It is produced when a stream-wise component
of velocity is developed from deflection of an initially sheared flow.
19
Tip Leakage Loss: - Tip clearance between blades & casing causes leakage of fluid
from pressure side to suction side of blades as shown in fig. Therefore scraped up
boundary layer of casing increases tip leakage & generates additional secondary
flow.
20