Challenges in improving

the Surge Margin in

Compressors
Yashas C R
M.Tech II semester

What is Surge?
Compression surge is a complete
breakdown in compression resulting
in a reversal of flow and a violent
expulsion of previously compressed
air out through the engine intake,
due to compressors inability to
continue working against the already
compressed air behind it.

Surge Margin

The complete engine is designed to

keep the compressor operating a
small distance below the surge
pressure ratio on what is known as
the operating line on a compressor
map.

The distance between the two lines

is known as the surge margin on a
compressor map.

When the two coincide there is no

longer any surge margin and a
compressor stage can stall or the
complete compressor can surge.

Surge margin provides a measure of

Compressor Map