A Novel Approach to Surge Control: High-Frequency Pressure Variance As an Indicator of Impending Surge in Centrifugal Compressors

This investigation studies fast-response pressure measurements as an indicator of the onset of surge in a single-stage centrifugal compressor. The objective is to determine an online monitoring approach for surge control that does not rely on surge margin relative to maps from predictions or factory testing. Fast-response pressure transducers are installed in the suction piping, inducer, diffuser, and discharge piping. A speed line is mapped, and high-speed pressure data are collected across the compressor map. The compressor is driven into surge several times to collect pressure data between during surge and between surge events. Following testing, these data are post-processed via filtration and statistical analyses. It is determined that, when taken together, the mean and range of the standard deviation of the time signal for multiple time steps can be used to determine whether the compressor’s operating point is approaching surge for the conditions tested.