A model for parameter estimation of multistage centrifugal compressor and compressor performance analysis using genetic algorithm

A model for performance prediction of multistage centrifugal compressor is proposed. The model allows the users to predict the compressor performance, e.g. pressure ratio, efficiency and losses using the compressor geometric information and speed by a stage stacking calculation based on the characteristics of each stage. To develop the compressor elemental stage characteristics, the compressor losses, such as incidence losses and friction losses, are mathematically modeled. For a composite systems, for instance a gas turbine power plant, the performance of the multistage centrifugal compressor can be evaluated. Since some important parameters of the compressor model, e.g., the slip factor sigma, shock loss coefficient zeta and reference diameter D (1), are hard to be determined by empirical laws, a genetic algorithm (GA) is used to solve the parameter estimation problem of the proposed model, and in turn the compressor performance analysis and parameters study are performed. The surge line for the multistage centrifugal compressor can also be determined from the simulation results. Furthermore, the model presented here provides a valuable tool for evaluating the multistage centrifugal compressor performance as a function of various operation parameters.