An analytical method for simulation of centrifugal compressors

Abstract

A pure analytical method for modeling and simulation of centrifugal compressors based on parametric analysis of governing equations is proposed. It will be shown that the main equations describing the compressor operation along with some new hypotheses allow to determine the most useful off-design characteristics of the machine for a given geometry and for given performances at design (nominal) regime. As example of application, a compressor map is determined along with other important features like surge and choke lines, optimal regimes line and constant efficiency curves (efficiency islands) without need of experimental data. The proposed method is intended for quick simulation of complex machines embedding centrifugal compressors, as an alternative of costly CFD analyses.