Comments on Compressor Efficiency Scaling With Reynolds Number and Relative Roughness

The background and literature on scaling of model test results to predict the performance of large scale turbomachines are presented and discussed in the context of both industry restrictions and recent improvements in analytical rigor and accuracy of scaling algorithms. The variety and disparity of methods developed before about 1970 is illustrated and plausible explanation is offered to account for the broad differences. The more recent literature is considered and the older exponential algorithms for scaling are reconciled with the current methods based on friction factor correlations. A simpler form is developed in terms of either exponential or friction factor formulations which includes the influence of Reynolds Number, relative roughness and fixed, friction-independent losses. This method is compared to the recently developed algorithms and to experimental data taken from the literature.