Chapter 7

Axial Flow Compressor

7.1 Introduction
A n axial compressor is a pressure producing machine. As the name indicates, the flow of air
or fluid is in the direction of the rotor axis. It consists of a rotor which carries moving blades
and a stator carrying stationary blades. The function of the stator is to recover a part of the
kinetic energy imparted to the working fluid. This kinetic energy is imparted to the fluid by
means of the rotating blades and is then converted into a pressure rise.

A compressor stage consists of a rotor and a diffuser ring. The first stage of a
multistage or a single stage compressor consists of a ring of inlet guide vanes (IGV) and
rotor blades as shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 1 Blades on an axial flow compressor

1 - Dr. N. Y. Sharma & Dr. K. V. Karanth, MIT Manipal

Air enters axially into the inlet guide vanes where it is turned through a certain angle to
impinge on the first row of rotating blades with proper angle of incidence. The first
row of moving blades imparts the kinetic energy and increases the total pressure. The static
pressure increase is because of the flow area increases i.e., A 2 > A 1 in the Fig.1. The
stator blades of the first stage decrease the absolute velocity to bring about a static
pressure rise. The air at proper angle enters the second stage of rotating blades and it
is repeated for the remaining stages.

7.2 Stage velocity triangles

The stage velocity triangles for an axial flow compressor are shown in Fig. 2. Air enters the
rotor with an absolute velocity c1 and angle α1 [from the axial direction] into the rotor
blades.

For a general stage, the entry to the rotor is at (1), exit from the rotor is at (2) and the
diffuser exit is at (3). In axial compressors, the assumptions are

a) Axial Velocity c1a = c2a =ca = constant

b) Blade speed u1 = u2 =u = constant
c) C1 = c3 and α1 = α3

Fig. 2 Stage velocity triangles for an axial flow compressor

2 - Dr. N. Y. Sharma & Dr. K. V. Karanth, MIT Manipal

7.3 Static Pressure Rise across the Stage

The pressure rise in a stage depends on the blade geometry and the speed of the rotor. The
total static pressure rise in the stage = pressure rise in rotor + pressure rise in the diffuser.
Assumptions;
a. The flow is assumed to be incompressible (density = constant).
b. Reversible adiabatic flow takes place in the stage.
c. The axial velocity is constant throughout the stage.

Applying Bernoulli’s theorem across the rotor blade,

p1 w12 p2 w22
  
 2  2
w12 w22
p1   p2 
2 2

 w12  w22 
p2  p1  protor 
2
w  u  c1u   ca2
2 2
Also 1

w22  u  c2u   ca2

2

Therefore w12  w22   c2u  c1u  2u  c1u  c2u 

  c2u  c1u   u  c1u   u  c2u     c2u  c1u  ca tan 1  ca tan 2 

 ca
 protor   c2u  c1u  tan 1  tan 2  ----(1)
2

Applying Bernoulli’s theorem across the Diffuser

p2 c22 p3 c32
  
 2  2
 c22  c32
p2   p3 
2 2

p3  p2  pstator 
2
c
2
2  c32 

From the velocity triangles,

c22  ca2  c22u and c32  ca2  c32u
Also according to the assumption made c3  c1 and 1 3

 c32  c12  ca2  c12u

c22  c32  c22  c12  c22u  c12u

3 - Dr. N. Y. Sharma & Dr. K. V. Karanth, MIT Manipal

Therefore
 
p3  p2  pstator 
2
c 2
2  c32  
2
c2
2u  c12u  ---(2)

Stage static pressure rise

 ca 
pstage  protor  pstator 
2
 c2u  c1u  tan 1  tan 2  
2
c 2
2u  c12u 

 ca2
 pstage   tan2  tan1   tan 1  tan 2    tan1  tan2 
2

( c1u  ca tan1 and c2u  ca tan2 )

c1u c u  c1u u  c2 u
tan1  and tan2  2u tan 1  and tan  2 
ca ca ca ca

c1u u  c1u u u
tan1  tan 1    and tan2  tan  2 
ca ca ca ca

 ca2  ca2 2u
 pstage   tan2  tan1   tan1  tan 1    tan2  tan 2    tan2  tan1 
2 2 ca

Therefore, pstage   cau  tan2  tan1 

7.4 Total Pressure rise across the rotor when the fluid is compressible
Specific Work =  u2c2u  u1c1u  u  c2u  c1u 
T 
Also specific Work  h02  h01  cp T02  T01   cpT01  02  1 
 T01 
 1
T02  p02   1   1 
  rp p 
 
 
 
T01  p01 
 1   1 

Therefore, Specific Work = u  c2u  c1u   cpT01   rp p     1 
 

 
  
p  
 u    1 
Therefore Total pressure ratio, rp  protor  1   c2u  c1u 
 cpT01 

4 - Dr. N. Y. Sharma & Dr. K. V. Karanth, MIT Manipal

7.5 Degree of Reaction (R))

Degree of Reaction is the ratio of the actual enthalpy rise across the rotor blades to the total
enthalpy rise across the stage.

R
h2  h1

hactual

 w12  w22  / 2

w12  w22
h3  h1 specificwork u  c2u  c1u  2u  c2u  c1u 

From the velocity triangles,

w12  u  c1u   ca2 and w22  u  c2u   ca2

2 2

w12  w22  u2  c12u  2uc1u  ca2  u2  c22u  2uc2u  ca2 

 c12u  c22u  2u  c2u  c1u    c2u  c1u  2u  c1u  c2u 

Therefore, R 
 c2u  c1u  2u  c2u  c1u    2u  c2u  c1u 
2u  c2u  c1u  2u

R
 2u  c1u  c2u 
2u

7.6 Degree of Reaction in terms of Blade angle and Flow Coefficient

We know R
 2u  c1u  c2u 
2u

R
2u  u  c a tan 1    u  ca tan 2  

ca  tan 1  tan 2 
2u 2u

ca 
R  tan 1  tan 2    tan 1  tan 2  where   ca / u  flow coefficient
2u 2


Therefore, R  tan 1  tan 2 
2

7.7 Degree of Reaction in terms of Blade Angle and Flow Angle

c1u c u  c1u
tan1  ,   a , tan 1  
ca u c1 a

c1u u u  c1u 1
tan1      tan 1
ca c1 a c1 a 

5 - Dr. N. Y. Sharma & Dr. K. V. Karanth, MIT Manipal

 1 1
Therefore, tan1   tan 1 or tan 1   tan1
 

 1  1 
R  tan 1  tan 2     tan1  tan 2     tan 2  tan1 
2 2  2 2

1 
 R    tan 2  tan1 
2 2

7.8 Enthalpy Entropy Diagram

Fig. 3 shows the enthalpy-entropy diagram for a general axial-flow compressor stage.

1- 2-3 - Actual Compression in the compressor

1-2s-3s - Isentropic Compression in the compressor
1-2 - Energy transfer in the rotor
2-3 - Energy transformation takes place in the diffuser.

c22 c32
Therefore h02  h03  h2   h3 
2 2

Fig. 3 Enthalpy vs entropy diagram for an axial flow compressor.

6 - Dr. N. Y. Sharma & Dr. K. V. Karanth, MIT Manipal

For the Rotor [1 – 2]

Total pressure loss coefficient is given as 

 p02  p01  / 
w12 / 2

Enthalpy loss coefficient is given as 

 h2  h2 s 
w12 / 2
For the Stator [2 – 3]

Total pressure loss coefficient is given as 

 p02  p03  / 
c22 / 2

Enthalpy loss coefficient is given as 

 h2  h2 ss 
c22 / 2

Types of Degree of reaction axial flow compressors.

Case (i) Low Reaction Stage
In a low pressure stage, the pressure rise in the rotor is less than the pressure rise in the
diffuser (figure 4).

Fig. 4. h –s diagram for a low reaction stage

In a low reaction axial flow machine pR  pD
Therefore, h2  h1  h3  h2

1 
Low reaction is due to 1  2 in the expression R    tan  2  tan1 
2 2

Case (ii) High Reaction Stage

7 - Dr. N. Y. Sharma & Dr. K. V. Karanth, MIT Manipal

In a high reaction stage, the pressure rise in the rotor is more than the pressure rise in the
diffuser (figure 5).

Fig. 5. h –s diagram for a high reaction stage

In a low reaction axial flow machine pR  pD

Therefore, h2  h1  h3  h2

1 
High reaction is because 1  2 in the expression R    tan  2  tan1 
2 2

Case (iii) 50% Reaction Stage

In a 50% reaction stage, the stage pressure rise is equally developed in the rotor and the
diffuser (figure 6).

Fig. 6. h –s diagram for a 50% reaction stage

8 - Dr. N. Y. Sharma & Dr. K. V. Karanth, MIT Manipal

Therefore pR  pD or h2  h1  h3  h2

Fig. 7. Velocity triangles for a 50% reaction stage

1 
R   tan  2  tan1  =0.5
2 2

c1u u  c2u
Therefore, tan1  tan  2 or 
ca ca

u  c1u  c2u

Based on this the velocity triangles become symmetrical as shown in the figure.

Therefore, 2  1 , w2  c1 & c2  w1

Hence for a 50% reaction stage, the velocity triangles are symmetrical at the entry and exit
of the rotor blades.

7.9 Work Done Factor

At the hub and tip section, the axial velocity is much lesser than the theoretical axial velocity
and it is more at the mean blade section. This is due to the rapid boundary layer growth
nearer to the hub and tip sections. The difference in velocities at the hub, tip and mean
section with the theoretical axial velocity is shown in fig. 8. This deviation is larger in the
last stage compared to the first stage.

The theoretical work done in an axial compressor stage Wthe = u [C2u — C1u]. The change in
velocity triangles due to the deviation in axial velocity from the mean velocity triangle is
shown in Figure 9. The flow angle at inlet and the blade angle at exit are fixed. When c1a
increases, c1u increases and c2u decreases. Therefore the specific work required is less. When

9 - Dr. N. Y. Sharma & Dr. K. V. Karanth, MIT Manipal

c1a decreases, c1u decreases and c2u increases. Therefore the specific work required is more.
The specific work required is more at the hub and tip section and is less at the mean section.
To compensate for these changes, a factor is introduced in the above equation which is
known as "Work Done Factor". It is represented as "Ω".

Fig. 8 Axial velocity profile for a stage

Fig. 9. Velocity triangle for the work done factor.

Therefore, Wactual   u  c2u  c1u 

This factor Ω varies from 0.85 to 0.98 depending on the number of stages. For single stage
compressor the work done factor is approximately 0.98 and it is decreased when the
number of stages are increased.

Blade Loading Factor

SpecificWork u  c2u  c1u  c2u  c1u
Blade Loading Coefficient =    
um2 u2 u
Here c2u  ca tan2 and c1u  ca tan1

10 - Dr. N. Y. Sharma & Dr. K. V. Karanth, MIT Manipal

  c2u  c1u    ca tan2  ca tan1   ca
   tan2  tan1 
u u u

or     tan2  tan1  Where  = flow coefficient

Generally for Shockless entry, 1  900

Therefore tan 1  0
    tan 2
Also c2u  u  ca tan 2 and c1u  u  ca tan  1
     tan 1  tan 2 

11 - Dr. N. Y. Sharma & Dr. K. V. Karanth, MIT Manipal

 Tutorials
Problem 1: An axial compressor has mean diameter of 600 mm. and runs at 15,000 RPM.
The actual temperature rise is 30oC and pressure ratio developed is 1.35. Initial
temperature is 35o C and the temperature rise in the rotor is 20oC. The mass flow rate
is 50 kg/s. and the mechanical efficiency is 85%. Determine,
(i) Power required to drive the compressor.
(ii) Loading coefficient
(iii) Degree of reaction
(iv) Stage efficiency.

Solution
Dm = 0.6 m, N = 15000 rpm, m  50 kg / s mech  0.85
,
T3  T1  300 C T2  T1  200 C p3 / p1  1.35
T1  35  273  308 K , T2  308  20  328 K , T3  308  30  338 K

 1
  rp   , T3 S  308 1.35  335.5745 K
T3 S 1.4

T1
w T  T 1 335.5745  308
stage  ideal  3 s   0.9191  91.91%
wactual T3  T 1 30

h2  h1 T2  T 1 20
Degree of reaction R     0.6667  66.67%
h3  h1 T3  T 1 30

Indicated power =  mcp T3  T1   50  1.005  30  1575 Kw

1575 1575
Actual power required to drive the compressor =   1773.5 kw
mech 0.85

cp T3  T1 
Blade loading factor  
u2

12 - Dr. N. Y. Sharma & Dr. K. V. Karanth, MIT Manipal

 DN   0.6 15000
Where u    471.23 m / s
60 60
1005  30 
Therefore,    0.137
471.232

Problem 2: The condition of air at the inlet of an axial flow compressor is that the
pressure is 768 mm of mercury and temperature is 410C. At the mean blade
section the diameter, and peripheral velocity are 500 mm and 100 m/s
respectively. The inlet blade angle is 510, inlet flow angle is 70 and exit blade
angle is 90 respectively with the axial direction. The mass flow rate is 25 kg/s.
Work done factor may be assumed as 0.9 and mechanical efficiency and stage
efficiencies as 92% and 88% respectively. Compute:
(i) Air angle at the stator entry
(ii) Blade height
(iii) hub to tip ratio
(iv) Stage loading coefficient
(v) Stage pressure rise
(vi) Power input of the motor to drive the compressor
(vi) Mach No. based on Inlet relative velocity of flow.

Solution
1.01325  768
760 mm of Hg = 1.01325 bar, Therefore 768 mm of Hg   1.0239157 bar  p1
760
T1 = 410C. Dm = 0.5 m, u = 100 m/s, mech  0.88, stage  0.92
β1 = 510, α1 = 7 0 , β2 = 90 , m  25 kg / s Ω = 0.9

tan1 tan7 c1u / ca c

   1u  0.099428
tan 1 tan51  u  c1u  / ca u  c1u
c1u  0.099428  u  c1u   0.099428 100  c1u 
c1u  9.04368 m / s
9.04368
ca   73.6549 m / s
tan1

u  c2u 100  c2u

tan  2  or tan9   c2u  88.342 m / s
ca 73.6549
c 88.342
tan2  2u  2  50.1770
ca 73.6549

Air angle at the stator entry 2  50.1770

Blade height h:

13 - Dr. N. Y. Sharma & Dr. K. V. Karanth, MIT Manipal

 p1
m  1   D h1  ca 
  D h1  ca
RT1
mRT1 25  287  314
h1    0.19018 m
p1 Dca 1.0239457  105    0.5  73.6549

Therefore, blade height h1  0.19018 m

Hub to tip diameter ratio:

Hub diameter Dh  D  h1  0.5  0.19018  0.3098 m

Tip diameter Dt  D  h1  0.5  0.19018  0.69018 m

Dh 0.3098
  0.448
Dt 0.69018

Stage loading coefficient:

Wstage u  c2u  c1u   88.342  9.04368

Stage loading or blade loading coefficient    
u2 u2 100

  0.753
Stage pressure rise  p2 / p1  :

Wactual u  c2u  c1u 

Wactual  cp T3  T1  or T3  T1  
cp cp
0.9  100  88.342  9.04368
T3  T1   7.4951 K
1005

T3 s  T1 T3 s  T1
St1  or 0.92 
T3  T1 7.4951
T3 s  T1  6.5957 k orT3 s  6.5957   273  41  320.5957 k
 1
T3 s 320.5957  p3  
  
T1 314  p3 
p3
Stage pressure rise  1.07547
p3
Power required to drive the compressor:

mWactual 25   0.9  100  88.342  9.04368 

P   204.69 KW
mech 0.88

14 - Dr. N. Y. Sharma & Dr. K. V. Karanth, MIT Manipal

  P  204.69 KW

Mach number based on Inlet relative velocity of flow;

u  c1u 100  9.04368

w1    117.0389 m / s
sin 1 sin51
W1 117.0389
Therefore Mach number M1    0.3295
 RT1 1.4  287  314

 M1  0.3295

Problem 3:
Each stage of an axial flow compressor of 50 % reaction has the same mean blade speed
and same flow outlet blade angle of 30o relative to the axial direction. The mean
flow coefficient is 0.5 and remains constant. At entry to the first stage the
stagnation condition of air is 101.3 kPa and 278 K. and static pressure is 87.3 kPa
and flow area is 0.372 m2. Find,
(a) Flow velocity
(b) Mean flow rate
(c) Shaft power when there are 6 stages with a mechanical efficiency of 0.9
Solution:

2  1  30o ( R  0.5)

 1  1 1.4 1
T1  p1   p  
 87.3  1.4
  or T1  T01  1   278   T1  266.43K
T01  p01   p01   101.3 

C12 c12
T01  T1  , 278  266.43  c1  152.474 m / s .
2CP 2  1005
c1 152.474
cos1  or cos30  ca  132.046 m / s .
ca ca

ca 152.046
 , 0.5  u  264.092 m / s .
u u
Mass flow rate,
p 87.3  103
m   Aca  Aca  0.372  152.046 m  56.08 kg / s
RT1 287  266.43

c1u  c1 sin1  152.046 sin30 c1u  76.237m / s

u  c2u 264.092  c2u
tan 2  tan30  c2u  187.856 m / s
ca 132.046

15 - Dr. N. Y. Sharma & Dr. K. V. Karanth, MIT Manipal

 HC  u  c2u  c1u   264.092 187.856  76.237 HC  29.4778 kJ / kg for 1stage
For 6 stagfes,
Hco  6  29.4778  176.86693kJ / kg
mHco 56.08  176.86
Shaft power required for all stages =    11020.919 kW
mech 0.9

Problem 4: A Multi stage axial flow compressor is to have constant axial velocity of 150
m/s. and 50 % reaction. The pressure ratio developed is 4 and infinitesimal
polytropic efficiency is 85%. The temperature at entry is 20 o C. The mean
diameter of the blade ring is 350mm and speed is 15000 RPM. The exit angle of
the blade row in each row is 27o with respect to axial direction. Calculate the
blade angle at inlet and the number of stages and the pressure ratio of each
stage.

Problem 5: An axial flow compressor stage draws air with a stagnation condition of 1 bar and
35oC. Assuming 50% reaction stages with a flow coefficient of 0.52 and ratio ∆C u/ U
= 0.25. Find the rotor blade angle at inlet and exit as well as mean rotor speed. η t-t=
82% and total pressure ratio is 1.23. Find also the pressure coefficient and power
input. Assume work done factor = 0.86 and mass flow rate is 12 kg/s.

16 - Dr. N. Y. Sharma & Dr. K. V. Karanth, MIT Manipal