Centrifugal Compressors

Adjustable diffuser vanes

Adjustable inlet guide vanes

Pressure, temperature and

velocity relationship in a
centrifugal compressor

Centrifugal Compressors

Centrifugal Compressors

Velocity diagrams

Centrifugal Compressors
Work done and Pressure Rise:

Absolute velocity of air at impeller tip.2

Cx2
tangential or whirl component
radial component.
Cr 2
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 (Cx) velocity at the tip
which is less than u.

At ideal conditions, C x 2 U (impeller tip speed )

Centrifugal Compressors
Slip factor

C x2
; 1
U

0.63
; ( experiments : by stanitz);
n
n number of vanes ( blades)

Considering
unit mass of air:
momentum
equation

T torque C x 2 r2 C x1r1 ;
Work T C x 2 r2 - 0.0
(for ideal case of no guide vanes)
Utilizing slip factor , thus,
Work U 2

Defining a power input factor,

(due to losses in energy as frictional loss)
, thus,
Work U 2

Centrifugal Compressors
Energy balance
c p (To 3 To1 ) U 2
Where (To 3 To1 ) : stagnation temperature
rise across the compressor
=

With state 1 as inlet to rotor

2 as exit from rotor

3 as exit of diffuser
No energy addition in diffuser
Thus

(To3 To1 ) (T02 To1 )

Centrifugal Compressors
Defining c as overall isentropic efficiency, then
overall stagnation pressure ratio is given by :
'

To3 To1
To3 To1

Po3
Po1

To
3
'

To '
1

c (To To )
3

To1

To1 c (To3 To1 )

To1

cu 2
1

c p To

c presents both less ( frictional) in rotor and diffuser ; : less (friction) in rotor .
both are limiting work capacity in compressor
: a factor limiting work capacity of compressor

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

Compressibility Effects

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

velocity is high and could be very close to sound values.

M 1 V1t / RT1 308/338 0.91.

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

M 1 V1t / RT 1.06 1.0 supersonic

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 , C1 and C1 can be
determined. Then value V1 can be determined
which is smaller =239 m/s.

239

RT

0.82

For this design, the flow is subsonic at

altitude.
C a 150m / s
Trying
1

Centrifugal Compressors
For 30 pre whirl
C1=150/cos30=173.2

T1 T0

C1

2c p

280.1, p1 0.918bar , 1.14kg / m

9
check on, Ca1
149
1.148 * 0.053
vel.C x1 149 tan 30 86m / s
v1t

149 2 273 56

239

239
1.4 0.287 * 280 * 1020

0.7

Centrifugal Compressors
In spite of the advantage, it has a disadvantage
of reducing the pressure ratio of compressor.

Po3
Po1

1 c To13 / T1

, where

T013 u 2 C x1 uc / c p
uc uaverage (u1h u1t ) / 2

C a1 has value which will lead to reduction of T013

and hence reduction in pressure ratio.

Centrifugal Compressors

In this example

p o3

p o3
p o1

p o1

4.23( without guide vanes)

3.79 with guide vanes

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.

m RTo1 ND
Po 2 / Po1 , To 2 / To1 ,
,
2
D Po1
RTo1
For same compressor

m To1 N
,
Po1
To1

Characteristic Pressure
versus Flow Plot
Ideal characteristic
pressure versus flow
plot for the theoretical
compressor is a
straight line that slopes
downward to the right
Ideal characteristic plot
is affected by various
energy losses in a real
compressor

 Pressure versus flow

curve for a real or
actual compressor
(ideal curve minus the
energy losses)
The dotted line shows
energy losses.

 Actual curve is not usable

over the entire range of
zero-tomaximum flow.
Useful part of the actual
pressure curve is between
the left and right limit
areas. (pressure in this
middle area will decrease
as flow increases in a
predictable and stable
fashion)
Unusable area on the left
is where surge occurs and
the unusable area on the
right is where choke
occurs.

Centrifugal Compressors
Stall
Defined as the (aerodynamic stall) or the breakaway 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.

Example

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

U r2 2 * * N * r2 DN

U 0.5 290 455.5m / s

Temperature equivalent of the work done on unit mass flow
of air, is
2
2

U
1.04 0.9 455.5

193K
3
cp
1.005 10

To3 To1
p o3
po1

c (To3 To1 )

To1

0.78 193
1

295

3.5

4.23

Centrifugal Compressors
Power required= .
m c p (To3 To1 ) 9 1.005 193 1746kW

(b) to find the inlet angle it is necessary to

determine the inlet velocity which in this case is
axial;

i. e. C a1 C1
C a1 1 must satisfy the continuity equation m 1 A1C a1
where A1 is the flow area at inlet.

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

u1h r1h 136.5m / s,

u1t r1t 273 m / s

Assume axial flow

two unknown (,c) in one

2
2

C
A

C
d

d
equation but another
1 1 1
1 1
1t
1h
4
relation is given by

P1
C1
1
and To1 T1
RT1
2c p
2

Assume 1 and get C1

then

p1 T1

p o1 To1

c1
then get T1 To1
2c p
and, thus, calculate 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,

(0.3 2 0.15 2 )
A1
0.053m 2
4
Based on stagnation conditions:
1 o1

p o1
RTo1

1.1 100
1.30kg / m 3
0.287 295

Centrifugal Compressors
m
9
C1 C a1

131m /
1 A1 1.30 0.053
Since C1 C a1

, the equivalent dynamic temperature is

C1
1312
1.312

8.5 K
3
2c p
0.201
2 1.005 10
2

T1 To1
p1

C
1 295 8.5 286.5 K
2c p
p o1

(To1 / T1 ) 1

1.1

295 / 286.5

3.5

0.992

p1
0.992 100

1.21kg / m 3
RT1
0.287 286.5

Centrifugal Compressors
checkC a1 :
m
9
C a1

140m / s
1 A1 1.21 0.053
final trial :

try C a1 C1 = 145 m/s

equivalent dynamics temperature is
2

C1
145 2
1.45 2

10.5 K
3
2c p 2 1.005 10
0.201

Centrifugal Compressors
2

C
T1 To1 1 295 10.5 284.5 K
2c p
p1

p o1
(To1 / T1 )

1.1

295 / 284.5

3.5

0.968

p1
0.968 100
1

1.185kg / m 3
RT1 0.287 284.5
checkC a1 :
m
9
C a1

143m / s
1 A1 1.85 0.053

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:

The peripheral speed, U e , at the impeller eye tip radius

re 2 N re De N 0.3 290 273m / s

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
Making the choice C r2 C a1 , thus
Cw2 U 0.9 455.5 410m / s
Cr2 Cw 2
2

C2
2

2c p

1.43 4.1

93.8 K
0.201
2

m
A
2Cr2

To get 2 , we need to get P2

c 0.78,
loss 0.22,
1/ 2 loss 0.11
the loss in the impeller 0.5(1 c ) 0.11
x , rotor 0.89

Centrifugal Compressors
p o2
p o1
p o2
p o1

0.89 193
1

295

3 .5

1.582 3.5

imp (To3 To1

To1

To calculate density at exit

Centrifugal Compressors
2

C r C x2

C2

2c p

2c p

C2 u
Cr2 Ca1 , assume
2

C2
thusT2 To2
T2
2c p
togetP2
po 2
po1

To '
2

'

&c

To2 To1

To
To2 To1
1
thus get 2.

P2

Centrifugal Compressors

/ p o2 T2 / To2

3.5

but To2 To3 193 295 488 K

C2
T2 To2
488 93.8 394.2 K , therefore ,
2c p
p 2 T2

p o2 To2

394.2

488

p2
p2
(
)
po
p o2
2

3.5

sin ce

p o2

po
1

, get p 2 as

p o1

p2
p
394.2

p 2 p o1 2 1.532

p o1
p o1
488

3 .5

but p o1 1.1, p 2 2.35 1.1 2.58bar

p2
2.58 100
2

2.28kg / m 3
RT2
0.287 394.2

2.35

Centrifugal Compressors
The required area of cross-section of flow in
the radial direction at the impeller tip is
A

m
9

0.0276 m 2
2 C r2 2.28 143

A
0.0276

0.0176m or 1.76 cm
D 0.5

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
(a)Consider
conditions
at thetoradius
the
passages
which
are assumed
be of of
constant
diffuser vane leading edges, at
depth
r2=0.25+0.05=0.3m. Since in the vaneless
space r Cw =constant for constant angular
momentum,

Centrifugal Compressors
0.25
C x2 410
342m / s
0.30

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.
2

C x Cr2
C2
Try Cr2 97 m/s, thus,

2c p
2c p

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

Po 2 / Po1 (1.582)

3.5

C2
T2 To2
, T2 488 62.9 425.1K
2c p
p 2 425.1

p o2 488

3.5

p2
425.1
,
1.582

p o1
488

p 2 3.07 1.1 3.38bar , 2

3.5

3.07

3.38 100
2.77kg / m 3
0.287 425.1

Centrifugal Compressors
Area of cross-section of
flow in radial
Check on Cr2:

2 * * 0.3 * 0.0176
0.0332m 2

Cr2=Taking Cr as 97.9 m/s,

the angle of the diffuser
vane leading edge for zero
incidence should be

2 tan 1 (Cr 2 / C x 2 ) tan 1 (97.9 / 342) 16o

Centrifugal Compressors
(b) 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.
0.25

Cx2 410

0.33

311m / s

Try Cr2= 83 m/s

2

C2
3.112 0.83 2

51.5 K , T2 488 51.5 436.5 K

2c p
0.201
p2
436.5
1.582

p o1
488

3.5

3.37, p 2 3.37 1.1 3.71bar

3.71 100
2
2.96kg / m 3
0.287 436.5

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

Get

C r2

m9
(check ) C r2
C r2 83.3
Aradi 2

( direction of flow) tan

-1

Ath Ar sin 0.0945 m 2

Cr2
Cx2

Ath n * b ( width of throat )

width 4.4cm

) 15