Understand Centrifugal Compressor stage curves

Journal Article · Fri Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1986 · Hydrocarbon Process.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5212467

Stadler, E L

Multistage Centrifugal Compressor Performance is generally presented in the form of a composite curve showing discharge pressure and bhp plotted as a function of capacity. This composite curve represents the cumulative performance of each stage performance curve. A simple yet quite accurate means of measuring compressor total performance is to test each stage as a single-stage compressor, usually on air with atmospheric inlets. Stage curves are then generated from the test data and three important variables are plotted: head coefficient, work coefficient and adiabatic efficiency. These variables are plotted against a normalized flow coefficient, Q/N, which is inlet volume flow (cfm) divided by impeller speed (rpm). The nomenclature used to define these stage variables changes from manufacturer to manufacturer; however, the parameters presented are the same. An understanding of each parameter's theoretical derivation and determination from test data will help the engineer reviewing test curves to be more cognizant of the interrelationships between these variables; specifically, how they affect overall machine pressure rise and power consumption.

• Research Organization: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., Allentown, PA
• OSTI ID: 5212467
• Journal Information: Hydrocarbon Process.; (United States), Journal Name: Hydrocarbon Process.; (United States) Vol. 65:8; ISSN HYPRA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020400* -- Petroleum-- Processing
ADIABATIC PROCESSES
AIR
CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS
DIAGRAMS
ENERGY CONSUMPTION
FLOW RATE
FLUIDS
GASES
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
MOTION
PERFORMANCE
PETROLEUM REFINERIES
PRESSURE DEPENDENCE
PUMPS
ROTATION
VELOCITY