can be uaried by changirg Tne

ORngmass ftou
impeller rotational speed.
24.4.3.2.11. Performance of Centrifugal Com-
pressors
Fig. 24.59 (a) shows the relationship between
pressure ratio, power and efficiency curves versus
flow rate for various values of speeds such as
N, N, etc. At a certain speed, efficiency increases
as the flow rate increases and reaches a maximum
value after which it decreases. Accordingly as the
speed. flow rate increases the power consumed also
increases.
ause the
timately Fig. 24.59 (6) shows the performance and
constant efficiency curves.
aximum
i s still Such a plot does not take into account the
ure ratio varying inlet temperature and pressure. In
re is a addition to this, these plots cannot show the
tem than comparison of performance for similar
stops and compressors of different sizes. To account for all
these, the performance curves are plotted with
'dimensionless parameters'. These dimensionless
soragain
starts to parameters are: Pressure ratio, P2 speed
;speed
operating P1
downflow N1
again the parameter, and flow parameter m/T
d the cycle
T P1
ency. This Fig. 24.59 (c) and (d).

pumping
 %'ADuejojjo peoy jejo
#
0 8 ANBAAouepi3 '3@MOd
N
O8 onssold 0d
AIHCOMPRESSORS

735
Thestatie pressure ratio:
The static pressure ratio is given by The "fixed blades" serve the following two purposes
Y
1
(i) Convert a part ofthe K.E. ofthe fluid into pressure
466.6 14-1 = 4.69. (Ans.)
energy. This conversion is achieved by diffusion process
carried out in the diverge blade passages.
P T1 300
(ii) Guide and redirect the fluid flow so that entry to
A4.3.3. Axial Flow Compressor
the next stage is without shock.
of43.3.1. Construction and
Working Working
In an axial flow compressor, the
in
flouw proceeds Basically, the compression is performed in a similar
throughout
the compressor a direction essentially
of
axis
the machine. parallel manner to that of the centrifugal type. The work input to
o the the rotor shaft is transferred by the moving blades to the
Construction. Refer to Fig. 24.61.
air, thus accelerating it. The blades are so arranged that
An axial flow compressor consists of the spaces between the blades form diffuser passages, and
rows of rotor (moving)
blades and stator
adjacent hence the velocity of the air relative to the blades is decreased
blades. The rotor blades are mounted on (fixedd)
as the
the air passes through them, and there is a rise in pressure.
rotating drum and stator blades are fixed to the The air is then further diffused in the stator blades, which
casing stator. One stage of the
machine comprises are also arranged to form diffuser passages. In the fixed
a row of rotor blades followed
by a row of stator stator blades the air is turned through an angle so that its
blades. direction is such that it can be allouwed to pass to a second
For efficient operation the blades
section based on
are of air foil row
of moving rotor blades. It is usual to havea relatively
aerodynamic theory.T blades large number of stages and to maintain a constant work
are so designed that wasteful losses due to shock input per stage (e.g., from 5 to 14 stages have been used).
and turbulence are prevented and the
blades are The necessary reduction in volume may be
free from stalling troubles. (The blades
are said allowed by flaring the stator or by flaring the
to be stalled when the air
stream fails to follow rotor. It is more common to use a flared rotor,
the blade contour). Whereas the compressor and this type is shown diagrammatically in
blades have aerofoil section, the turbine bladees
Fig. 24.61.
have profiles formed by a number of circular arcs.
It is usually arranged to have an
This is so because the acceleration
process being equal
carried out in the converging blade passages of temperature rise in the moving and the fixed
a reaction turbine is much more
blades, and to keep the axial velocity of air
efficient and
stable process as compared with the diffusing or constant throughout the compressor. Thus, each
stage of the compression is exactly similar with
decelerating process being carried out in the regard to air velocity and blade inlet and outlet
diverging passage between the blades of an axial
flow compressor. angles.
A diffusing flow is less stable than
Inlet guide
a
converging
Stator (Casing) Delivery flow, and for this the blade shape and
reason
vanes vanes profile is much more important for a compressor
Air than for a reaction turbine. The
SsRSASA delivery
design of
compressor blades is based on aerodynamic
theory and an aerofoil shape is used.
Rotatingdrum
Drive shaft Note. Two forms of rotors have been used namely the drum
Air and disc types. The disc type is used where
consideration of
low weight is more important than cost
delivery in
applications. The drum type is more suitable foraircraft
as
static
Stator (Fixed) blades
Moving industrial applications. In some
applications, combination of
R Rotor (Moving) blades
blades Fixed both types has been used.
blades
Materials. The following materials are used for the
Fig. 24.61. Axial flow compressor various components of an axial flow
compressor:
The annular a r e a is usually reduced from inlet 1. Rotor
to outlet of the compressor. This is to keep the bladings. The materials listed below are
in the increasing order of
the compressor weight and their ability to
low velocity constant throughout of the moving
withstand high temperature
ength. In the diverging passages due to
) Fibrous composites (ii) Aluminium
rise in temperature
blades, there is increased (iii) Titanium iv) Steel
dhffusion. The absolute velocity is also
() Nickel alloy.
due to work input.
736 THERMAL ENGINEERIM
of absolute velocity C and blade
the inclination B, with the axial velocitv c
2. Rotor
For rotor shafts and disc . . "steel".
Due to diffusion in the diverging
directiom
Aircraft engines may use titanium at the front passages fon
by rotor blades, there
stages and "nickel alloy" in the rest. is some pressure rise. Thi
is at the expense of relative
velocity
3. Stator bladings: relative velocity decreases from C, to and s0 the
Same materials as that of rotor but steel is the work is being done on the air by rotorCSi
most common. the air would ultimately leave the bjad
4. Castings. These may be of cast magnesium, rotoT iWIf
increased absolute velocity C
aluminium, steel or iron or fabricated from titanium or steel. The air then enters the stator blades
NC (Numerically controlled) machines make dies and th
diffusion and deceleration takes place in th
and the blades are manufactured by precision diverging passage of stator blades. Finally the
forging. Blades are also machined by CNC air leaves the stator blades with velocityC.
copying machines. an angle ag and is redirected to the nert
stae
24.4.3.3.2. Velocity Diagrams and Work Done Generally it is assumed that absolute velocit (,
of a stage of Axial Flow Compressors. leaving the compressor stage equals the approai
Fig. 24.62 shows the velocity triangles for one stage velocity C
of an axial flow compressor. All angles are measured from From the velocity triangles, we have
the axial direction and the blade velocity C is taken to be
same at blade entry and exist. This is because the air enters tan a,+tan Pi .24.95
and leaves the blades at almost equal radi. C
and, CpL tan21 tan d2 .24.86
C
Rotor. Assume 1 kg of flow of air through the compresr
blades
stage.
From Newton's second law of motion,
Tangential force per kg = Cu-Cu

TII I I
Work absorbed by the stage per kg of air,
.24.87
Stator W CpC2Cu Toa-Tovaet
blades
where w1 and C2 are the whirl components of a0so
velocities at inlet and exit of rotating blades.
atthe
(lt may be noted that here whirl componenta
entrance of the compressor is not zero because 0r ue

that air flows axially and not radialy.)

The expression for work done may
be put in terms
Inlet velocity
triangle flow/axial velocity and air angles. 24

Ws CC, (tan a - tan a,

we have
w1 From eqns. (24.85) and (24.86),

W-C , (tan P, -tan B,)

ul = tan ,
Outlet-velocity
riangle
Cue tan
w2 C essorm

to the axial
flow compeofs
work input
also beThe
each.
obtained by the Euler's equation. For
delivered, we have
Cu2-Coi,
Cut
Fig. 24.62. Velocity diagrams for axial flow compressor. W =
Cbi, (C-C
)-
Air approaches the rotor blade with absolute Since Cw-C
= Ce1rw2
velocity C, and at an angle a. The relative
velocity C,. obtained by the vectorial addition
 by passing the hand across the inlet.
that compressor efficiency is highest at point
adjacentto M and it is therefore advisable to able
to operate as close to M as possible.
Stalling. "Stalling" of a stage of axial flow
compressor is defined as the aerodynamic stall or
the
breakway of the flou from suction side of the blade aerofoil.
It may be due to lesser flow rate than designed value or due
to non-uniformity in the blade profile. Thus stalling is ahead
phenomenon of surging.
A multi-stage compressor may operate stable in the
unsurged region with one or more of the stages stalled and
rest of the stages unstalled. In other words, stalling issa
local phenomenon whereas surging is a complete system
phenomena.
24.4.3.3.9. Performance of Axial Flow
Compressor
.Fig. 24.66 (a) shows the relationship between
pressure ratio, power and efficiency versus flow
rate for various values of speeds such as
N, N2
etc. At a certain speed, efficiency increases as the
low rate increases and reaches a maximum value
after which it decreases. Accordingly as the flow
rate increases the power consumed also increases.
Fig 24.66 (b) shows the performance and
constant efficiency curves.
Such a plot does not take into account the
varying inlet temperature and pressure. In
addition to this, these plots cannot show the
comparison of performance for similar
compressors of different sizes. To, account for all
these, the performance curves are plotted with
dimensionless parameters'. These dimensionless

parameters are Pressure ratio ; speed

ble. P1
e in N mT
parameter, and flow parameter-
fall. T P1
not Refer to Fig. 24.67 (a) and (b).
be
 Power, Efficiency,
Pressure ratio
Po2 Po1
Pressure ratio -
n based on total head
AIR
C O M P R E S S O R S

743
Capabilily to deliver pressure
High pressure (By multistaging, high Medium pressure (By multi-
delivery pressure upto 5000 atm. may staging, the delivery pressure upto
be achieved). 400 atm. may be achieved)
Capability of delivering volume of Small (By using multicylinders, the Greater (per unit of building
airlgas
volume may be increased . space).
Flexibility in capacity and pressure
Greater No flexibility in capacity and
range
pressure range.
Maintenance expenses
Higher Lower
Continuity of service
Lesser Greater
0. Compression efficiency
Higher, at compression ratio above 2.| Higher, at compression ratio less
than 2.
11. Adaptability Adaptability to low speed drive Adaptability to high speed, low
maintenance cost drivers such as
turbines
12. Operating attention More Less
13. Mixing of working fluid with Always a chance No chance
lubricating oil
14 Suitability For low, medium and high pressures For low and medium pressures
and low and medium gas volumes. and large gas volumes.

EZL6 COMPARISON BETWEEN RECIPROCATING AND ROTARY AIR COMPRESSORS

S. No.
Aspects Reciprocating air compressors Rotary air compressors

1.Suitability Suitable for low discharge of air Suitable for handling large volumes of air at low
at high pressure pressures.
2. Operational speed
Low Usually high
Air supply Pulsating Continuous
Balancing Cyclic vibrations occur Less vibrations
5. Lubricating system
Generally complicated Generally simple lubrication systems are required
6.
Quality of air delivered Generally contaminated with oil Air delivered is relatively more clean.
Air compressor size Large for the given discharge Small for same discharge
8.
Free air handled 250-300 m/min 2000-3000 m°/min
9. Delivery pressure Low
High
Usual standard of compression Isothermal compression Isentropie compression

ACOMPARISON BETWEEN CENTRIFUGAL AND AXIAL FLOW COMPRESsORS

No. Centrifugal compressors Axial flow compressors

Aspects
Axial (Parallel to the direction of axis Radial
Type of flow of the machine)

. High, about 4.5 1. Thus unit is Low, about 1.2 1. This

Pressure ratio per stage is due to
compact absence of centrifugal action. To
In supersonic compressors, the achieve the pressure ratio
10 but at the to that per stage in
equal
pressure ratio is about centrifugal
cost of eficiency. Operation is not so compressor 10 to 20 stages are
diflicult and risky. required. Thus, the unit is less
compact and less rugged.
744
- - - - -
THERMAL ENGINER
Isot hermal efficieney About 80 to 82% About 86 to 88%
aerofoil blades (witl
mod
Frontal area Larger Smaller (This makes
the Kal e
compressors more suitahie
engines due to less drng)ole for
Flexibility of operation More (due to adjustable pre-whirl and Less
diffuser vanes)

Part load performance Better Poor

Effect of deposit formation on the Performance not adversely
surface of impeller rotor
Performance adversely
affected affected
Starting torque required Low High
Suitability for multistaging Slightly difficult More suitable for
10.
multi-staging
Delivery pressure possible Upto 400 bar upto 20 bar

11 Applications Used in blowing engines in steel mills, Mostly used in jet engines due
low pressure refrigeration, big central higher efficiency and smaile
air conditioning plants, fertiliser and frontal area). Also preferred a
industry, supercharging I.C. engines, power plant gas turbines and ster
gas pumping in long distance pipe mills.
lines etc.
-Previously it was used in jet
engines
12 Efficiency vs. speed curve More flat (Fig. 24.68 ) Less flat comparatively Fig

Efficiency
= x (190)2
105tan 45° - (tan 14)
Centrifugal 10
= 0.169 bar. (Ans.)
(i) The work done per kg ofair, W

W = Cp C, (tan a, - tan
Axial
240x 190 45°- tan 14°)
(tan
103
= 34.23 kW. (Ans.)
Speed Example 24.45. An axial flow compresso
Fig. 24.68 'pressesaur
stages and with 50% reaction design compres
Example 24.44. The following data relate to axial pressure ratio of 4.:1. The air enters the comprof90
an
flow speed
compressor and flows through it with a constant
. rotate with a m e
Cp 240 m/s, C = 190 m/s, a, = 45°; rotating blades of compress« ma
a = 14°; p = 1 kg/m' 180 m/s. Isentropiceefficiency ofthecompr
as 82%. Calculate :
Calculate : (i) The pressure rise () Work done by the machine
(ii) The work done per kg of air.
(i) Blades angles.
Solution. Given: C 240 m/s; C, = 190 m/s; 1.005 kdkg
Assume y= 1.4 and e,
=

45°;,= 14°, p =1 kg/m"

(i)The pressure rise, Ap: Solution. isernT2 -11
The pressure rise through a ring of rotating blades, 14 t
Y
Ap = Pctan? ,-tan2a) IEon (94 09u Also
P 2 ' (4)14