Prediction of Piping Systems Effect on Surge in Centrifugal Compressor

Abstract

There is a possibility that the exchange of the piping system changes surge characteristic of a compressor. The piping system of a plant is not always the same as that of a test site. Then it is important to predict the effect of piping systems on surge in centrifugal compressors. Several turbochargers combined with the different piping systems were tested. The lumped parameter model was applied for the prediction of surge. Surge lines were calculated with the linearlized lumped parameter model. The difference between the test and calculated results was within 10%. Trajectory of surge cycle is also examined, solving the lumped parameter model. Mild surge and deep surge were successfully predicted. This study confirmed that the lumped parameter model is a very useful tool to predict the effect of piping systems on surge in centrifugal compressors, even though that is a simple model.