Centrifugal Compressors

Classes and comparisons between compressors

Function Centrifugal Axial
Engine type Small engine Large engine
Mass flow rate < 15 kg/s Very large (> 100 kg/s)
Efficiency Low 86-87 % High 94 %
# of stages small large
Pressure ratio per stage High (5-7) Low (<1.5)
Pressure loss High for more than one
stage
Low, thus allow using
many stages
Fixing and manufacturing easy Not easy
Cost Cheap, wider operating
range
Very expensive

Centrifugal Compressors
Principle of Operation
Centrifugal compressors consist of stationary casing
containing
a. Rotating impeller (imparts a high velocity of air),
b. Fixed diverging passage (The air is decelerated with rise
in static pressure).
c. Impeller may be single or double-sided

Centrifugal Compressors

Air is sucked into the impeller eye and whirled at high

speed by the vanes of the impeller disc.

The static pressure increases from eye to tip.

Remainder of static pressure rise occurs in diffusers.

Normally half of pressure rise occurs in the impeller

and 50% in diffuser.

Some stagnation pressure loss occurs.

Centrifugal Compressors

Centrifugal Compressors

Work done and Pressure Rise:

Absolute velocity of air at impeller tip.

tangential or whirl component

radial component.

is the angle given by the direction of

the relative velocity at inlet V1. Also this
is the angle of leading edge of the vane
with tangential direction.

Slip phenomenon: air trapped between

the impeller vanes does not move with
the impeller, thus air acquire whirl (Cw)
velocity at the tip which is less than u.

:
2
C
2 w
C
2 r
C
) ( ,
2
speed tip impeller U C conditions ideal At
r


Centrifugal Compressors

Centrifugal Compressors
Velocity diagrams

Centrifugal Compressors

Considering unit
mass of air:

momentum
equation
blades) ( vanes of number n
stanitz); by : s experiment ( ;
n
0.63
1
1 ;
U
C
factor Slip
w2

<

2
2 2
1 1 2 2
U Work
thus, , factor slip Utilizing
vanes) guide no of case ideal (for
0.0 - T Work
;

r C
r C r C torque T
w
w w
2
U Work
thus, ,
loss) frictional as energy in losses to (due
factor, input power a Defining

Centrifugal Compressors

With state 1 as inlet to rotor

2 as exit from rotor
3 as exit of diffuser
No energy addition in diffuser

Thus
) (
1 3
o o
T T
=
) (
1 2
0 o
T T

compressor the across rise
re temperatu stagnation : ) ( Where
) (
balance Energy
1 3
2
1 3
o o
o o p
T T
U T T c

Centrifugal Compressors

Defining c as overall isentropic efficiency, then

overall stagnation pressure ratio is given by :
1 3
1 3
'
o o
o o
c
T T
T T

1
1
'
'
1
1 3 1
1
3
1
3
) (

'
+

,
_

o
o o c o
o
o
o
o
T
T T T
T
T
P
P
1
2
1
1 1
1 3
1
) (
1

1
1
]
1

+
1
1
]
1

o p
c
o
o o c
T c
u
T
T T
thus vanes, of number increasing
by increased be can ; compressor of capacity work limiting factor a :
compressor in capacity work limiting are both
. rotor in (friction) less : ; diffuser and rotor in ) frictional ( less both presents


c

Centrifugal Compressors

Example 4.1

The following data are suggested as a basis for

the design of a single-sided centrifugal
compressor:

Power input factor = =1.04

Slip factor = 0.9

Rotational speed, N= 290 rev/s

Overall diameter of impeller, D=0.5m

Eye tip diameter=2re=De=0.3m

Eye root diameter, D1=2r1=0.15m

Air mass flow, m=9 kg/s

Inlet stagnation temperature To1= 295

Inlet stagnation pressure Po1 = 1.1 bar

Isentropic efficiency, c=0.78

Centrifugal Compressors

Requirements are

(a) to determine the pressure ratio of the

compressor and the power required to drive
it assuming that the velocity of the air at inlet
is axial.

(b) to calculate the inlet angle of the impeller

vanes at the root and tip of the radii of the
eyes, assuming that the axial inlet velocity is
constant across the eye annulus; and

(c) to estimate the axial depth of the impeller

channels at the periphery of the impeller.

Centrifugal Compressors

(a) impeller tip speed

s m U / 5 . 455 290 5 . 0

Temperature equivalent of the work done on unit mass flow of air, is

K
c
U
T T
p
o o
193
10 005 . 1
5 . 455 9 . 0 04 . 1
3
2 2
1 3

23 . 4
295
193 78 . 0
1
) (
1
5 . 3
1
1
1 3
1
3

,
_

+
1
1
]
1

o
o o c
o
o
T
T T
p
p
DN r * N * * 2
2 2
r U

Centrifugal Compressors

Power required=
kW T T c m
o o p
1746 193 005 . 1 9 ) (
1 3
.

(b) to find the inlet angle it is necessary to determine the
inlet velocity which in this case is axial;
1
1
e. . C C i
a

.
inlet. at area flow the is A1 where
m equation continuity e satisfy th must
1 1 1
1 1
a a
C A C
Since the density 1 depends upon C1and
both are unknown, a trial and error process is
required.

Centrifugal Compressors

Flow triangles

u2=455.5 m/s

Assume axial flow

two unknown (,c) in one

equation but another relation
is given by
( )
2
1
2
1 1 1 1 1 1
4
h t
d d C A C m


p
o
c
C
T T and
RT
P
2

2
1
1
1
1
1
1
+
1
1
1 1
2
1
1 1 1
calculate thus, and,
2
get then C get and
1 1
1

,
_

o o
p
o
T
T
p
p
then
c
c
T T Assume
s m r u
s m r u
t t
h h
/ 273
, / 5 . 136
1 1
1 1

Centrifugal Compressors

Note this is normal to design for an axial velocity of

about 150 m/s, this providing a suitable compromise
between high flow per unit frontal area and frictional
losses in the intake.

Annulus area of impeller eye,

2
2 2
1
053 . 0
4
) 15 . 0 3 . 0 (
m A

Based on stagnation conditions :
3
1
/ 30 . 1
295 287 . 0
100 1 . 1
1
1
1
m kg
RT
p
o
o
o

Centrifugal Compressors
/ 131
053 . 0 30 . 1
9
1 1
1
1
m
A
m
C C
a

1
1

a
C C Since , the equivalent dynamic temperature is
( )
3
1
1
1
5 . 3
1
1
1
2
1
1
2
3
2
2
1
/ 21 . 1
5 . 286 287 . 0
100 992 . 0
992 . 0
5 . 286 / 295
1 . 1
) / (
5 . 286 5 . 8 295
2
5 . 8
201 . 0
31 . 1
10 005 . 1 2
131
2
1
1
1
m kg
RT
p
T T
p
p
K
c
C
T T
K
c
C
o
o
p
o
p

Centrifugal Compressors
:
/ 140
053 . 0 21 . 1
9
:
1 1
1
1
trial final
s m
A
m
C
checkC
a
a

m/s 145 = try

1
1
C C
a

equivalent dynamics temperature is
K
c
C
p
5 . 10
201 . 0
45 . 1
10 005 . 1 2
145
2
2
3
2
2
1

Centrifugal Compressors
( )
s m
A
m
C
checkC
m kg
RT
p
T T
p
p
K
c
C
T T
a
a
o
o
p
o
/ 143
053 . 0 85 . 1
9
:
/ 185 . 1
5 . 284 287 . 0
100 968 . 0
968 . 0
5 . 284 / 295
1 . 1
) / (
5 . 284 5 . 10 295
2
1 1
3
1
1
1
5 . 3
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

Centrifugal Compressors

This is a good agreement and a further trial

using Ca1=143 m/s is unnecessary because a
small change in C has little effect upon .

For this reason, it is more accurate to use the

final value 143 m/s, rather than the mean of 145
m/s ( the trial value) and 143 m/s.

The vane angles can now be calculated as

follows:
s m N D r N
The
e e
/ 273 290 3 . 0 2 r
radius tip eye impeller at the , U speed, peripheral
e
e

and at eye root radius =136.5 m/s,

Centrifugal Compressors

at root=tan-1(143/136.5)=46.33,

at tip =tan-1143/273=27.65
( c) the shape of the impeller channel between eye and
tip is very much a matter of trial and error .
The aim is to obtain as uniform a change of flow velocity
up the channel as possible, avoiding local decelerations
up the trailing face of the vane .
To estimate the density at the impeller tip, the static
pressure and temperature are found by calculating the
absolute velocity at this and using it in conjunction with
the stagnation pressure which is calculated from the
assumed loss up to this point .

Centrifugal Compressors
thus C
a
, C choice the Making
1 r2

2
2
2 2
2 2
2
2
2
2 2
0.9 455.5 410 /
1.43 4.1
93.8
2 0.201
w
r w
p
C U m s
C C
C K
c
m
A
Cr

+
+

2 2
,
get , we need to get P
0.78, 0.22, 1/ 2 0.11
loss in the impeller 0.5(1 ) 0.11
0.89
c
c
x rotor
To
loss loss
the

Centrifugal Compressors
1
5 . 3
5 . 3
1
1 3
1
2
1
2
(
1
582 . 1
295
193 89 . 0
1

1
1
]
1

,
_

o
o o imp
o
o
o
o
T
T T
p
p
p
p
To calculate density at exit

Centrifugal Compressors
2
'
1
'
2
2
2
2
2
2 2
2
2
1 2
1 2
1
2
1
2
2
1 2
2
2
&
2
,
2 2
P
T T
T T
T
T
p
p
togetP
T
c
C
T thusT
assume C C
u C
c
C C
c
C
o o
o o
c
o
o
o
o
p
o
a r
p
r
p

,
_

thus get 2.

Centrifugal Compressors
( ) ( ) K T T but T T p p
o o o o
488 295 193 / /
3 2 2 2
5 . 3
2 2
+
ce
T
T
p
p
therefore K
c
C
T T
o o
p
o
sin
488
2 . 394
, , 2 . 394 8 . 93 488
2
5 . 3
1
2 2
2
2
2
2 2
2

,
_

,
_

3
2
2
2
2
5 . 3
2
2
2
2 2 2
/ 28 . 2
2 . 394 287 . 0
100 58 . 2
58 . 2 1 . 1 35 . 2 , 1 . 1
35 . 2
488
2 . 394
532 . 1
, ) (
1
1
1
1
1 1
2
2 2
m kg
RT
p
bar p p but
p
p
p p
p
p
as
p
p
get
p
p
p
p
p
p
o
o
o
o
o o
o
o o

,
_

,
_

,
_

Centrifugal Compressors
The required area of cross-section of flow in the
radial direction at the impeller tip is
2
2
m 0.0276
143 28 . 2
9
2

r
C
m
A

cm or m
D
A
b 76 . 1 0176 . 0
5 . 0
0276 . 0

Computational Design of a Centrifugal Compressor

PROGRAM MAIN
COMMON CP,R,GAMRAT
COMMON VECT(5000,500)
C
C
C OPEN(30,FILE='D:\Dif\GRIDG.RES')

OPEN(5,FILE='C:\CALCULATIONS\Data_PyT10_6.1mps_D50mmFdn.txt')
OPEN(6,FILE='C:\CALCULATIONS\OUT.txt')
OPEN(7,FILE='C:\CALCULATIONS\output data for drawings.txt')
OPEN(8,FILE='C:\CALCULATIONS\OUT2.txt')

C OPEN(30,FILE='C:\Dif\GRIDG.RES')
C OPEN(6,FILE='C:\Dif\Conv 1\GRIDG.OUT')
C OPEN(5,FILE='C:\dif\Conv 1\GRIDG.DAT')
C OPEN(30,FILE='C:\Dif\Conv 1\GRIDG.RES',FORM='UNFORMATTED')

C OPEN(6,FILE='C:\Dif\GRIDG.OUT')
C OPEN(5,FILE='C:\dif\GRIDG.DAT')
C OPEN(6,FILE='D:\Dif\GRIDG.OUT')
C OPEN(5,FILE='D:\dif\GRIDG.DAT')

Computational Design of a Centrifugal Compressor
C
PI=22./7.
EPSI=1.05
SIGMA=0.9
RPM=305.
D0=0.6
DIT=0.4
DIR=0.15
FLOW=14
TO1=300
PO1=100.
EFFC=0.8
CP=1005
EFFIMP=0.89
GAMMA=1.4
R=0.287
GAMRAT=GAMMA/(GAMMA-1.)
U=PI*D0*RPM
TO13=EPSI*SIGMA*U*U/CP
PO13=(1.+EFFC*TO13/TO1)**GAMRAT
TO3=TO1+TO13
TO2=TO3
PO3=PO1*PO13
POWER=FLOW*CP*TO13/1000.
WRITE(6,11)POWER,TO13,U,PO13
11 FORMAT(2X,'POWER=',E13.4,/2X,'TO13=',E13.5/2X,'U=',E13.5/3X,
1'Press ratio=',E13.4//)
AI=PI*(DIT**2-DIR**2)/4.

Computational Design of a Centrifugal Compressor
C
C1=100.
CALL SITER(C1,TO1,PO1,AI,FLOW)
C WRITE(6,12)C1,EPS,P1,T1,AI
C 12 FORMAT(2X,E13.3/4E13.4)
UE=PI*DIT*RPM
UR=PI*DIR*RPM
ALFAR=ATAN(C1/UR)*180./PI
ALFAT=ATAN(C1/UE)*180./PI
WRITE(6,24)
24 FORMAT(8X,'ALFAT, ALFAR'/)
WRITE(6,13)ALFAT,ALFAR
13 FORMAT(2X,2E13.3)
C
C Axial Depth CR=C1
CW=SIGMA*U
CSQ=CR*CR+CW*CW
PO2=PO1*(1.+EFFIMP*TO13/TO1)**GAMRAT
T2=TO2-CSQ/(2.*CP)
P2=PO2*(T2/TO2)**GAMRAT
RHO2=P2/(R*T2)
A2=FLOW/(RHO2*CR)
AXDEPTH=A2/(PI*D0)
WRITE(6,17)AXDEPTH
17 FORMAT(//10X,'Axial Depth= ', 10X, E13.5)

Computational Design of a Centrifugal Compressor
C
C CALL PERFORMANCE(POWER,TO1,PO1,EFFC,GAMRAT,CP)
STOP
END
C
SUBROUTINE SITER(C,TO,PO,A1,FLOW)
COMMON CP,R,GAMRAT
C WRITE(6,102)C,EPS,PO,TO,A1
RHO1=PO/(R*TO)
10 C=FLOW/(RHO1*A1)
T=TO-C*C/(2.*CP)
P=PO*(T/TO)**GAMRAT
C
23 FORMAT(7X,'C',18x,'EPS',8X,'P',8X,'T',15X,'A1'/)
C WRITE(6,102)C,EPS,P,T,A1
RHONEW=P/(R*T)
EPS=ABS((RHONEW-RHO1))/RHONEW
IF(EPS.LT.0.001)GO TO 20
RHO1=RHONEW
GO TO 10
20 CONTINUE
WRITE(6,23)
WRITE(6,102)C,EPS,P,T,A1
102 FORMAT(2X,5E13.4/)
Return
End

Computational Design of a Centrifugal Compressor
SUBROUTINE PERFORMANCE(POWER,TO1,PO1,EFFC,GAMRAT,CP)
COMMON VECT(5000,500),WMAS(5000,500),BETA(5000,500),PI
FLOW=10.
DFLOW=FLOW/10.
WRITE(6,30)POWER,TO1,PO1,EFFC,GAMRAT,CP
30 FORMAT(6E13.3)
DO 10 I=1,9
TO3=TO1+POWER*1000./FLOW/CP
PO3=PO1*(1.+EFFC*(TO3-TO1)/TO1)**GAMRAT
FLOW=FLOW-DFLOW
C WRITE(6,20)TO3,PO3
WRITE(6,20)FLOW,PO3/PO1
20 FORMAT(2E13.3)
10 CONTINUE
C
RETURN
END

Centrifugal Compressors

The Diffuser:

In the case of gas turbine, the air should exit the

diffuser and enters the combustion chamber at
minimum velocity.

Thus, design of diffuser requires that only a small

part of strengthening temperature is K.E. normally
u=90m/s at exit of the compressor.

rapid divergence is not recommended

optimum angle is 7.0.

Neglecting losses, thus, angular momentum r

C=constant

Cr: radial velocity will also decrease.

Centrifugal Compressors
Example 4.2
Consider the design of a diffuser for the compressor
dealt with in the previous example. The following
additional data will be assumed:
Radial width of vaneless space wd = 5 cm
Approximate mean radius of diffuser throat, rm =0.033m
Depth of diffuser passages dd 1.76
Number of diffuser vanes nv 12
Required are (a) the inlet angle of the diffuser vanes and
(b) the throat width of the diffuser passages which are
assumed to be of constant depth
(a)Consider conditions at the radius of the diffuser
vane leading edges, at r2=0.25+0.05=0.3m. Since
in the vaneless space r Cw =constant for constant
angular momentum,

Centrifugal Compressors
s m C
w
/ 342
30 . 0
25 . 0
410
2

The radial component of velocity can be found by trial
and error. The iteration may be started by assuming
that the temperature equivalent of the resultant
velocity is that corresponding to the whirl velocity, but
only the final trial is given here.
p
w
p
c
Cr C
c
C
2 2
thus, m/s, 97 Cr2 Try
2
2
2 2
2
+


Centrifugal Compressors
Ignoring any additional loss between the impeller tip
and diffuser vane leading edges at 0.3m radius, the
stagnation pressure will be that calculated for the
impeller tip, namely it will be that given by
3
2 2
5 . 3
2
5 . 3
2
2
2
2
2
/ 77 . 2
1 . 425 287 . 0
100 38 . 3
, 38 . 3 1 . 1 07 . 3
07 . 3
488
1 . 425
582 . 1 ,
488
1 . 425
1 . 425 9 . 62 488 ,
2
1 2
2
m kg bar p
p
p
p
p
K T
c
C
T T
o o
p
o

,
_

,
_

5 . 3
1 2
) 582 . 1 ( /
o o
P P

Centrifugal Compressors

Area of cross-section of flow

in radial

Check on Cr2:

Cr2=Taking Cr as 97.9 m/s,

the angle of the diffuser vane
leading edge for zero
incidence should be
2
0332 . 0
0176 . 0 * 3 . 0 * * 2
m

o
w r
C C 16 ) 342 / 9 . 97 ( tan ) / ( tan
1
2 2
1
2

Centrifugal Compressors

the throat width of the diffuser channels may

be found by a similar calculation for the flow at
the assumed throat radius of 0.33m.
s m/ 311
33 . 0
25 . 0
410 Cw2
Try Cr2= 83 m/s
3
2
2
5 . 3
2
2
2 2
2
2
/ 96 . 2
5 . 436 287 . 0
100 71 . 3
71 . 3 1 . 1 37 . 3 , 37 . 3
488
5 . 436
582 . 1
5 . 436 5 . 51 488 , 5 . 51
201 . 0
83 . 0 11 . 3
2
1
m kg
bar p
p
p
K T K
c
C
o
p

,
_

Centrifugal Compressors

Area in radial direction=A (radial) = 2Db =0.0365

3 . 83
9
) (

2 2
2
2

r
radi
r
r
C
A
m
C check
C Get

0
2
1 -
15 ) ( tan flow) of direction (
2

C
C
r
cm width
throat of width b n A
m A A
th
r th
4 . 4
) ( *
0945 . 0 sin
2

Centrifugal Compressors

Compressibility Effects

At the impeller inlet,( eye of the impeller), the relative

velocity is high and could be very close to sound values.
0.91. 308/338 /
1 1 1
RT V M
t

No problem at sea level conditions, however at
high altitude ( aircraft engine), speed of sound
decreases and we might have supersonic flow.
For example at 11000 m, T=217 K
supersonic 1.0 1.06 /
1 1
> RT V M
t


Centrifugal Compressors

we try to avoid this by having guide vanes and it is better

to be variable in the case of change of conditions, such
as altitude.

By trial and error, the value of Ca can be determined

from Ca and , C1t 9and C1t can be determined. Then
value V1t9can be determined which is smaller.=239 m/s.
82 . 0
239

RT
M

For this design, the flow is subsonic at

altitude.
Trying
s m C
a
/ 150
1


Centrifugal Compressors

For 30 pre whirl

C1=150/cos30=173.2
m kg bar p
c
C
T T
p
/ 14 . 1 , 918 . 0 , 1 . 280
2
1
2
1
0 1

( )
239
56 273 149
/ 86 30 tan 149 .
149
053 . 0 * 148 . 1
9
on, check
2
2
1
1
1

t
a
v
s m C vel
C

7 . 0
1020 * 280 * 287 . 0 4 . 1
239

+
M

Centrifugal Compressors

In spite of the advantage, it has a disadvantage of

reducing the pressure ratio of compressor.
( )
( )
2 / ) (
/
, / 1
1 1
2
013
1
1 13
1
1
3
t h average c
p c
o c
o
o
u u u u
c u C u T
where T T
P
P
+

+

ratio. pressure in reduction hence and

of reduction to lead l which wil value has C
13
0 a1
T

Centrifugal Compressors
vanes) guide without ( 23 . 4 example In this
1
3

o
o
p
p
vanes guide with 79 . 3
1
3

o
o
p
p
for details see
text book

Centrifugal Compressors

Vaneless diffusers:

For vaneless diffuser, no problem, it can handle

supersonic flow while vaned diffuser cant.

At the exit of the vaneless diffuser, C3=355,

M2=0.56<1.0, which is subsonic and is ok for vaned
diffuser.

Advantages of vane less diffuser:

Mach number M2 could be supersonic without

Vaneless space will eliminate any non-uniformity of

the flow coming out of the impeller ( jets and wakes).

This is good to avoid any problem in exciting the

vanes.

As a normal practice, no. of vanes in the diffuser is

less than impeller blades.

N (vanes)<N (impeller)

Centrifugal Compressors

Non-dimensional quantities for compressor

characteristics:

D=diameter, N=rpm, m=mass flow rate

po1=inlet pressure, po2=exit pressure

T01=inlet temperature, To2=exit temperature

N=no. of variables

M=basic dimensions

there are 7 variables, 3basic dimensions (M,L,T)

and terms 7-3=4.

1
1
1
1
1
2
1
1 2 1 2
,
, , / , /
o
o
o
o
o
o
o o o o
T
N
P
T m
compressor same For
RT
ND
P D
RT m
T T P P

Centrifugal Compressors

Stall

Defined as the (aerodynamic stall) or the break-

away of the flow from the suction side of the blades.

A multi-staged compressor may operate safely with

one or more stages stalled and the rest of the
stages unstalled . but performance is not optimum.
Due to higher losses when the stall is formed.

Surge

Is a special fluctuation of mass flow rate in and out

of the engine. No running under this condition.

Surge is associated with a sudden drop in delivery

pressure and with violent aerodynamic pulsation
which is transmitted throughout the whole machine.

Centrifugal Compressors

Centrifugal Compressors