Paper 17: Stage Matching, Stall, and Surge in Multi-Stage Axial Flow Compressors

Abstract

Despite major advances in axial compressor theory and practice, the lack of a rational method of predicting surge limits remains as an outstanding deficiency. Accumulating experience suggests the association of surge initiation with local stalling phenomena, within the compressor, which are inadequately represented by conventional assumptions. A simple, revised model of stage matching under local stalling conditions is shown to provide a rational and consistent qualitative description of observed compressor off-design and surge initiation characteristics, and the effects on these of a variety of factors. Improved local stall criteria could provide the key to quantitative predictions of multi-stage compressor surge limits.