Use of Experimental Interstage Performance Data to Obtain Optimum Performance of Multistage Axial Compressors

Abstract

Experimental interstage performance data provide the most useful basis currently available for correction of faults in performance of multistage compressors. However, to describe stage performance adequately requires much more information than the amount needed to describe over-all compressor performance, and to interpret the data requires that all of this information be correlated. Because the wealth of the data may conceal its meaning, some simple method is needed to focus attention on the matching of one stage to another and to the over-all compressor as well. A technique is presented whereby performance of individual stages can be depicted graphically upon the performance map of an over-all multistage compressor. Through this presentation the individual and over-all effects can be examined together. Insight is afforded into performance relationships of one stage to another; and faults can be diagnosed if any exist in the matching, radial or axial, of individual stages. Changes of blade geometry can then be prescribed upon a clear and explicit basis. To illustrate use of the technique, data are presented describing gains that have been achieved experimentally.