Accuracy Expectations for Gas Turbine and Centrifugal Compressor Performance Testing Free

Engineers inexperienced with testing or interpretation of test results from gas turbine/centrifugal compressor sets may not be familiar with the uncertainties stemming from measuring instrument and reading errors. This may be because only a few specialists are acquainted with the applicable engineering statistics and acceptable measurement accuracy levels, but it is also probably due to the unavailability of clear, simply worded documentation of the principles involved. Because there are significant uncertainties in power and specific fuel consumption results of such tests, it is important for concerned engineers to recognize and to develop a sensitivity for the various measurement errors and to take them into account when judging the actual equipment performance. This paper outlines a simple procedure for estimating instrument errors and for assessing their influences on the final results. In addition it illustrates justifiable accuracy expectations of gas turbine/compressor system tests and it may be a starting reference for those interested in the subject.