A Study of Surge Precursors in Low-Flow Rate Centrifugal Compressor

Abstract

Surges occur in compressor systems including turbo compressors at low flow rates. Surges not only degrade the performance of the compression system but can also damage the compressor system. There have been few studies on low-flow rate centrifugal compressors, and their characteristics are still unknown. In this study, the behavior and generation process of surges in small-flow centrifugal compressors were investigated. As a result, it was found that surges occur even in very low flow rate compressors, and that pressure fluctuations occur, which may be a precursor to the occurrence of surge. These small pressure fluctuations which occur intermittently show chaotic characteristics.