Compressors operating range

The compressors operating range is between two major regions as seen in Fig. 10-74, which is a performance map of a centrifugal compressor. These two regions are. surge, which is the lower flow limit of... 

Flow rate, m /h at inlet conditions Figure 10.60. Compressor operating ranges... 

Smaller, high-pressure compressors that do the same job will reduce foundation proolems but will have greatly reduced operational range. 

Radial-Inflow Turbine The radial-inflow turbine, or inward-flow radial turbine, has been in use for many years. Basically a centrifugal compressor with reversed-flow and opposite rotation, the inward-flow radial turbine is used for smaller loads and over a smaller operational range than the axial turbine. Radial-inflow turbines are only now beginning to be used because little was know about them heretofore. Axial turbines have enjoyed tremendous interest due to their low frontal area, making them suited to the aircraft industiy. However, the axial machine is much longer than the radial machine, making it unsuited for certain vehicular and helicopter applications. Radial turbines are used in turbochargers and in some types of expanders. 

Figure 4-16. Axial compressor with adjustable stator blades, either partially or on all stages. Double-casing design and forged monoblock rotor. This design offers a wide operating range especially in combination with speed control.

Types of Compressors Industrial Pressure Ratio Aerospace Research Efficiency Operating Range... 

The radial-inflow turbine, or inward-flow radial turbine, has been in use for many years. Basically a centrifugal compressor with reversed flow and opposite rotation, the inward-flow radial turbine is used for smaller loads and over a smaller operational range than the axial turbine. 

The use of dynamic pressure transducers gives early warning of problems in the compressor. The very high pressure in most of the advanced gas turbines cause these compressors to have a very narrow operating range between surge and choke. Thus, these units are very susceptible to dirt and... 

The increase in compressor pressure ratio decreases the operating range of the compressor. The operating range of the compressor stretches from the surge line at the low flow end of the compressor speed line to the choke point... 

Verifying temperature is the second most important aspect of any compressor operation. As with pressure, the basic form of measurement is a simple temperature gauge. The construction of the gauges is quite varied, ranging from a bimetallic device to the filled systems. When transmis sion is involved, the sensor becomes quite simple, taking the form v)l a thermocouple or a resistance temperature detector (RTD). The monitor does the translation from the native signal to a temperature readout ()r signal proportional to temperature. 

Compressors are normally one part of an overall process train. When a compressor is selected for use in a process, consideration must be given to the required operating range. It will become quickly apparent when a compressor with a fixed capacity is installed in a process with a variable capacity requirement. Modifying capacity of the individual compressors was discussed in the earlier chapters. 

A speed controller can help extend the operating range and efficiency of the compressor. As the flow rate increases, the compressor speed can be increased to handle the additional gas. Compressor speed will stabilize when the actual flow rate to be compressed equals the required flow rate for the cylinder at the preset suction pressure. As the flow rate decreases, the compressor slows until the preset suction pressure is maintained. 

Power savings of 15% or more may result from the use of such vanes,depending on the design and final operating point on the compressor s performance curves. The inlet guide vanes increase the turndown and, thus, increase the operating range. 

Head per section is another important parameter, as the smaller the number of impellers per section, the higher the head required per compressor stage. This leads to higher rotative speeds and operation at higher Mach numbers, which in turn, tends to limit the operating range, flatten the head rise characteristic, and reduce efflciency. ... 

Table 10.16. Operating range of compressors and blowers (after Begg, 1966)...

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