Off Design Performance of

Axial Compressors
Turbomachines
Lecture 16
Off Design Operation of Axial Compressor

Flow Rate
P
r
e
s
s
u
r
e

R
i
s
e

Stage
Losses
Stable Unstable
Off design characteristics


2 2 1 1 2 1 2 1 2 1
2 2 2
2 1
x 2 2
2 2
2 1
Blade Loading Coefficient
( )
( )
(tan tan )
Also V (tan tan )
tan tan
= 1- (tan + tan )
Due to the small variations in a
y y y y y y y y
x x
x x x
x
u V u V u V V V V V V
V V w
u V u V V u u u
u
u
V

| o o
o |
o |
| o |

= = = = =
=
+ =
=

2 1
s
ir angles at rotor and stator exit,
the constant (tan tan ) may be assumed constant for a wide range
of stalling angles of incidence, i .
o | +
1 3
2 3
Hence, if
Constant = A = tan tan
Defining design values by ,
1
1
At off-design conditions
1
1 (1 )
A
A
A
o o
| o
|

|
|
|

|
- -
-
-
-
-
=
+
-
=

=
=
=
Off Design Characteristic Curve for Axial Compressors


1.0
0.75
0.5
0.25
0
0.25 0.5 0.75 1.0
A = 0
1.0
0.5
A > 0
A < 0

Surging in Compressors

.
A
m
N
4

N
3

N
2

N
1

A
B
C
S
D
E
S
S
.
D m
.
S m
.
E
m
Mass flow rate
P
r
e
s
s
u
r
e

R
i
s
e

Surge Cycle
Surge Line
p
upstream

p
discharge

Valve
Stall Propagation in a Compressor Blade Row

4 3
Propagating Stall Cell
2 1
Unstalling
u
Air
Rotating Stall Cells in Axial Compressors

Stall Cells