Turbocompressors: Dipartimento Energia Politecnico Di Torino

Politecnico di Torino
Dipartimento di Energetica
Turbocompressors
Dipartimento Energia
Thermal and Hydraulic Machines 1 Ing. D. Misul
Introduction
Turbocompressors are operating machines that transfer energy to the fluid, thanks
to aerodynamics actions. This energy gets converted into pressure and speed.
The turbocompressor stage is made up of the following elements:
• Impeller;
• Diffuser (the fluid is diffused to recover its kinetic energy);
• Distributor/deflector (such an element might eventually be needed to properly
direct the fluid at the impeller inlet).
1
Introduction
Specific work: real, isentropic, polytropic
∆ ∆ ∆ ∆ (∆ could easily be neglected if we consider the

machine from inlet to outlet)
1 1 1
1
, , , 1 1
1
, ∆ ∆ ∆ 1
1
Introduction
Re-heating effect
The real work is and corresponds to the area 1 1 22 .
The isentropic work 0 is , , and corresponds to
the area 1 1 2 1 .
The irreversibility work corresponds to the area 1 122 .
The polytropic work 0 is , and corresponds to the area 1 1 211 .
Therefore:
, , ,
where RHE is the re-heating effect

due to viscous dissipation and it
corresponds to the area 12 2
2
Introduction
Compressor efficiency
We can hence define the compressor efficiency (isentropic or polytropic):
1
, 1 ,
, , , ∆ ~ 0
, 1
1
, expresses the efficiency of the machine referring to viscous losses, whereas ,

refers to the compression actually performed by the machine ( & ).
1 1 1
∙
,
1
∙ 1
, 1
∙ ∙
, 1 , 1
1 1
Centrifugal compressor
Layout examples
Impeller with radial vanes Impeller with backswept vanes
3
Design guidelines
The energy conservation law applied to the

whole machine (between 1 and 2) and the Euler
equation applied to the impeller lead to:
° °
The energy conservation equation applied to the

impeller leads to:
2
The change in enthalpy between section “ and ‘
can be worked out from the energy conservation
law applied to the relative flow in the impeller:
2 2
Design guidelines
By combining the previous equations:
2 2 2
From the work equation, we can infer what follows:
• A centrifugal stage can absorb a greater specific power than an equivalent axial or
centripetal one;
• The design should lead to w” < w’ so as to produce a net positive contribution to

the work absorbed;
• The absolute velocity term is additive. The impeller should therefore be designed
to accelerate the flow, thus resulting in c” > c’.
4
Thermodynamic diagram
2 2
~ ~ ~ ~
Non-dimensional parameters
Main parameters
The following non-dimensional parameters can be used:
Ψ
Φ Flow coefficient Load factor
2
Loss coefficient °
Crocco number
2 2
Turbomachine performances are usually expressed by means of characteristic

diagrams as functions of non-dimensional parameters. This allows for:
• Including the effects of all operating conditions in one diagram;
• Extending the characteristic diagram to turbomachines geometrically and
kinematically similar.
5
characteristic diagram
tg tg
w r
c 
w   
  cotg
tg
c u u
1 cotg
1 cotg
Ψ 2 2 2 1 cotg
2
 Ψ 2 1 Φcotg

characteristic diagram
The loss coefficient  can also be expressed as a function of ; it is made up of

two contributions.
For a turbocompressor with vaned diffuser:

• 1 indicates the profile losses due to skin
frictions on both the impeller and the diffuser
vane surface;
• 2 indicates the losses due to incidence for the
flow passing from the rotating to the fixed
blades.
For a turbocompressor featuring a diffuser

without vanes:
• 1 refers to losses in the impeller; 
• 2 refers to losses in the diffuser.
6
Characteristic diagram
Analytical expression
The characteristic diagram of a centrifugal machine can be easily obtained for
uncompressible flows (i.e. a blower, rather than a compressor). Within this frame:
Δ 0 Δ 0
°
° °
°
2
° °
Δ Δ ° ° °
Δ 1 1
1 ° °
1
Referring to the previous equation to the term:
°
12 °
1 2
° °
Ψ 1 Ψ 1
°
1
1 Ψ Ψ Ψ
1 ° 1 2 °
2
Φ Φ
7
Φ Φ Φ
~ ° °
12
° 2 °
Φ
°
° °
2 2
1
°
°
Φ
°
1 2 °
2
°
°
°
Φ Φ
°
2 1 2 °
Main features
Let’s recall the features of the compressor characteristic diagram.
The diagram reports the compressor compression

ratio as a function of the reduced mass factor
ṁ . The curves are parametrized on the
corrected speed ⁄ . The diagram also reports
the iso-efficiency curves ( , or , ).
The operating point (P) on the compressor

Ext diagram satisfies the circuit requirements and can
be found by intersecting the internal characteristic
Int (compressor) and the external one (circuit).
8
External characteristic
The slope of the external characteristic can be:

1. positive (increasing with increasing mass flow
rate)
2. infinite – vertical line (constant mass flow rate,
regardless of the factor) – volumetric machine
3. nil – horizontal line (constant , regardless of the
mass flow rate) – downstream infinite capacity
A system holds a stable equilibrium if it proves to

react to small perturbations recovering its initial
stable point.
Stability
The operating point is stable if the external

characteristic features a slope higher than
that of the internal one.
In fact, in this case, a slight reduction in the
mass flow rate (P→A) would lead to an
exceeding head produced by the compressor
(P→C). This latter would in turn produce an
acceleration in the fluid, thus re-establishing
the initial mass flow rate.
Similarly, if the pressure slightly decreases
(P→B), the compressor supplies a flow rate
that exceeds the circuit requirement
(P→A), thus producing an increase in
pressure and driving the system back to the
P operating point.
9
Surge
The quantitative analysis of stability is

connected to the derivative of the external
characteristic with respect to the mass flow rate.
The horizontal characteristic would hence be
the most inconvenient one and it is normally
chosen to define the compressor stability region.
Moreover, the horizontal characteristic is the
one performed by the pipes downstream from
the compressor (infinite capacity).
Therefore, stability would only be achieved on the right of the compressor curve
maximum, whereas the points on the left hand side would turn out to be unstable
(surge region). This region is outlined as the envelope of the characteristics maxima.
Surge
Considering point 1 as the design point,

an increase in the mass flow rate would
drive the system to 1’. Conversely a
reduction in the mass flow rate would
more than reduce the mass flow rate to
the point where it gets reverted (1”), thus
producing a fluctuating behaviour.
It is worth observing that surge is a global instability which involves the whole
system (i.e. the compressor and the circuit).
10
Rotating stall
As opposed to surge, we should now define the conditions for stall, the latter being a
local instability involving the compressors airfoils. Let’s consider a reduction in the
mass flow rate: this goes along with a reduction in the axial component, thus producing
a remarkable change in the direction. The increased incidence produces a strong
shock on the pressure side that might eventually lead to a detachment of the vein from
the blade profile: stall.
Rotating stall
The reduction in the cross section that follows causes the mass flow rate to further
reduce in the (b)-(c) channel: the rejected mass flow rate is diverted backwardly and
forwardly. The modified mass flow rate forces the subsequent channel to experience
stall conditions (due to a mass flow rate increase). The increase in the mass flow rate
allows the (a)-(b) channel to exit stall conditions, by reducing the incidence on the
blade: one channel at a time is under stall conditions.
Stall travels in the in the opposite direction with respect to (rotating stall), with a
speed up to the 60% of .
Given that the change in occurs simultaneously for any blade, stall should involve
the whole row of blades. Still, given that the blades are not identical one to the other
(leading angle, stagger angle…), stall arises at one specific location.
11
Rotating stall
Off-design operations
Introduction and mechanical losses
The compressor is controlled in order to satisfy the circuit
requirements. Considering the downstream environment as an
infinite capacity, we would need to achieve variable mass flow
rate complying with the constant pressure constraint ( .
Before we deal with the different control techniques, we’d better
analyse the mechanical efficiency:
depends on the shaft speed (losses on the bearings): for a

given angular speed ∗ and ∗ .
A compressor can be governed according to the following methods:

• Change in the angular speed;
• Throttling at the compressor delivery;
• Throttling at the compressor suction;
• Mass flow rate by-pass;
• Stagger angle change.
12
Change in the angular speed
We could easily change the mass flow rate by changing the angular speed: use of an
inverter.
The efficiency (P→A) anyhow

decreases as we are getting
away from the design point.
The absorbed power usually

varies according to the mass flow
rate.
Throttling at the compressor delivery
If we want to reduce the mass flow rate sticking to the compressor angular speed, we
have to comply with an increase in the compression ratio. Hence, a throttling valve
is needed to modify the operating point and to re-establish the pressure.
Moving from P to Q, the efficiency

decreases and so does the curve
steepness on the T-S diagram.
13
If we merely refer to the compression efficiency, we should compare the work
performed at point Q to the ideal work we would perform to achieve starting from :
∗ ∗ ∗
, 1 , 1
∗ 1 ∗ 1
∗ ∙ 1 ∙ 1
, ,
∗ ∗ ∗ ∗
, , ∗ ∗
∗ ∙ , ∙ ,
∗ ∗ ∗ ∗
, , , , 1
∙ ∙ , ∙ , ,
, ,
1
As expected, the system efficiency more than decreases.
14
Throttling at the compressor suction
Considering the mass flow rate reduction produced by the
previously described technique, the reduced mass flow rate
factor would turn out to be bigger, given the reduced p1 value.
ṁ ṁ
increases due to the reduction of the

pressure, for the given value.
Point R, representing the operating point for a throttling at the compressor suction,
is in-between points Q and P.
ṁ ṁ
The graphical construction can be

verified by considering the OHQ’ and ORR’
triangles.
ṁ
′ ′
′ ′ ṁ
The efficiency of point R is reduced with

respect to point P, but it is anyhow greater
than that of point Q.
15
∗ 1
∙ ,
1
and η , η , thus
opposing to the compression
efficiency reduction.
Moreover, by throttling at the

compression suction, we can cover
a wider region (see figure).
Minimum flow rate comparison
Let’s consider the minimum flow rate that can be delivered by changing the
compressor angular speed:
ṁ ṁ
ṁ , ∙
If we consider point A as the equivalent ṁ

ṁ , ∙
of point Q (throttling at the delivery):
If we now consider point A as the equivalent ṁ

ṁ , ∙ ṁ ,
of point R (throttling at the suction):
In order to graphically detect ṁ , , we can go through a reverse construction,

where A is the result of the previously described technique:
ṁ , ṁ ,
16
Mass flow rate bypass
1
∙ 1
η ,
Work is hence proportional to the inlet temperature

. The compression produces a temperature rise
and a pure bypass would increase downstream
from the joint:
ṁ Δṁ ṁ Δṁ
We definitely need to cool Δṁ down to to make sure not to further penalize the
compression efficiency.
Mass flow rate bypass
∗ ∗ ∗
∗ ∗ ∗
Δṁ
ṁ∗ ∗ ∗
ṁ∗ Δṁ
The specific work per unit of delivered mass flow rate increases, whereas the
isentropic work is unchanged: the system efficiency decreases according to the
ratio:
ṁ∗ Δṁ Δṁ
1
ṁ∗ ṁ∗
Therefore, a full by-pass Δṁ ṁ∗ would lead to a nil efficiency.
17
Change in the blade stagger angle
The change in the blade stagger angle is expensive
and complicated. It can eventually avoid incidence (or
at least reduce it) for reduced mass flow rate.
Deflecting to we can possibly re-establish the

correct direction for , avoiding incidence on the
blade leading edge.
18

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Politecnico di Torino

Thermal and Hydraulic Machines 1 Ing. D. Misul

Thermal and Hydraulic Machines 2 Ing. D. Misul

∆ ∆ ∆ ∆ (∆ could easily be neglected if we consider the

Thermal and Hydraulic Machines 3 Ing. D. Misul

where RHE is the re-heating effect

Thermal and Hydraulic Machines 4 Ing. D. Misul

, expresses the efficiency of the machine referring to viscous losses, whereas ,

Impeller with radial vanes Impeller with backswept vanes

Thermal and Hydraulic Machines 6 Ing. D. Misul

The energy conservation law applied to the

The energy conservation equation applied to the

By combining the previous equations:

From the work equation, we can infer what follows:

• The design should lead to w” < w’ so as to produce a net positive contribution to

Thermal and Hydraulic Machines 8 Ing. D. Misul

Thermal and Hydraulic Machines 9 Ing. D. Misul

The following non-dimensional parameters can be used:

Turbomachine performances are usually expressed by means of characteristic

Thermal and Hydraulic Machines 10 Ing. D. Misul

The loss coefficient  can also be expressed as a function of ; it is made up of

For a turbocompressor with vaned diffuser:

For a turbocompressor featuring a diffuser

Thermal and Hydraulic Machines 12 Ing. D. Misul

Referring to the previous equation to the term:

Thermal and Hydraulic Machines 13 Ing. D. Misul

Thermal and Hydraulic Machines 15 Ing. D. Misul

The diagram reports the compressor compression

The operating point (P) on the compressor

Thermal and Hydraulic Machines 16 Ing. D. Misul

The slope of the external characteristic can be:

A system holds a stable equilibrium if it proves to

Thermal and Hydraulic Machines 17 Ing. D. Misul

The operating point is stable if the external

Thermal and Hydraulic Machines 18 Ing. D. Misul

The quantitative analysis of stability is

Thermal and Hydraulic Machines 19 Ing. D. Misul

Considering point 1 as the design point,

Thermal and Hydraulic Machines 20 Ing. D. Misul

Thermal and Hydraulic Machines 21 Ing. D. Misul

Thermal and Hydraulic Machines 22 Ing. D. Misul

Thermal and Hydraulic Machines 23 Ing. D. Misul

depends on the shaft speed (losses on the bearings): for a

A compressor can be governed according to the following methods:

The efficiency (P→A) anyhow

The absorbed power usually

Thermal and Hydraulic Machines 25 Ing. D. Misul

Moving from P to Q, the efficiency

Thermal and Hydraulic Machines 27 Ing. D. Misul

increases due to the reduction of the

Thermal and Hydraulic Machines 29 Ing. D. Misul

The graphical construction can be

The efficiency of point R is reduced with

Moreover, by throttling at the

Thermal and Hydraulic Machines 31 Ing. D. Misul

If we consider point A as the equivalent ṁ

If we now consider point A as the equivalent ṁ

In order to graphically detect ṁ , , we can go through a reverse construction,