Modeling for surge control of centrifugal compressors: comparison with experiment

A dynamic model based on the thermo- and fluid-mechanic processes taking place in a centrifugal compressor is validated. The background for this is the need for an energy based model including the rotational speed as a state in order to perform energy based active surge control. The response of the model is compared with experimental results from the Energy Technology Laboratory at Eindhoven University of Technology. Both the calculated compressor characteristic and transient responses for set point changes and in-surge response were compared to experiment with good results.