Gas Turbine Engine Compressors - Comparison - Essay Example

Its working fluid is air. The compressor then utilizes the mechanical energy that is imparted from outside so as to enhance static pressure head. In its configuration, it has four basic components: an inlet, impeller, a diffuser and a collector. The impeller increases the velocity of the fluid (Kerrebrock, 1992). In its working, the impeller rotates with a shaft and the casing which encloses the impeller. Due to this rotation, fluid is forced into the inlet as a result of the upstream pressure.

As the impeller rotates, fluid moves to the discharge side. Movement of fluid to the discharge side creates a void. This implies that there is reduced pressure at the inlet of the impeller. There is pressure development in the compressor casing inlet. This provides additional air (fluid) into the impeller so as to fill the void (Carl, 2002). On reaching the impeller, the entering fluid flows along the impeller vanes. The fluid velocity increases as it progresses. Fluid at the impeller tip outlet is at maximum velocity.

Fluid then enters the casing and expansion of the cross section area occurs. Diffusion occurs in the diffuser as fluid velocity reduces. The diffuser converts the high velocity (kinetic energy) of the fluid into pressure by increasingly diffusing the velocity of the gas. All these lead to the increase in the pressure of fluid (static pressure/ potential energy). This follows the Bernoulli’s principle (Carl, 2002). The final component of the centrifugal compressor is the collector. This is the chamber where diffuser discharges.

Axial compressors are aerofoil based compressors utilizing rotatory movement. In the axial compressors, the working fluid flows in a parallel direction to the rotation axis. Axial flow compressors are capable of generating high pressure ratio on a single shaft. Several axial flow stages are combined so as to lead to high pressure ratios. Therefore, the axial flow compressor