Surging of Axial Compressors

Abstract

It is fairly generally known that if, at any fixed speed of a compressor, either axial or centrifugal, the flow is reduced by throttling the outlet, then a point is eventually reached at which a complete breakdown of the air flow occurs and in most cases an actual flow reversal through the compressor takes place. Sometimes this phenomenon is gradual, taking the form of a sort of burbling, but more generally it takes the form of a sudden “ bang ” associated with a violent shake of the whole foundation of the bed on which the compressor is mounted. In most centrifugal compressors the flow reversal which takes place stops rapidly, the performance recovers, and a second “ surge ” occurs if the throttling is not reduced. The frequency of these individual surges varies greatly according to the degree of throttling and many other conditions; it may be only one isolated occurrence, in which case it would be concluded that the working point was just, but only just on the surge point, or it may take the form of a rapid series of thuds indicating that the working point is beyond the surge. In all cases of centrifugal compressors known to the authors reduction of the throttling will restore the compressor to its normal performance.