Investigation Concerning Rotating Stall and Surge Phenomena Within Centrifugal Compressor Channels

Abstract

Rotating stall and surge were examined by detecting mutual interference of flow patterns within each part of compressor channels. A surge was recognized in case of a larger channel volume. On the other hand, there was no surge with a smaller volume. After comparing both cases, fluctuating flow patterns were measured without the surge. Under the rotating stall condition, an unsteady fluctuating reversed flow existed at the exit of the inducer channel, but a jet and wake flow pattern disappeared downstream. When the flow rate became far lower, another reversed flow appeared at the exit of the impeller. These phenomena were in close relation to the variation of the performance characteristics of the compressor tested and also the influence of these flows upon the surge and stalls were observed to be present.