Amirkabir Journal of Mechanical Engineering

Amirkabir Journal of Mechanical Engineering

Experimental Investigation of Surge Instability in the Centrifugal Compressor Volute

Document Type : Research Article

Authors
Amin Anjomrouz
Mohamad Sadeq Karimi
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
10.22060/mej.2026.25441.7946
Abstract
Surge, as one of the most important operational instabilities of centrifugal compressors, especially at low mass flow rates, can cause severe pressure fluctuations, reverse flow, and mechanical damage. In this study, surge instability in a turbocharger-based centrifugal compressor was investigated experimentally and at high rotational speeds. First, the compressor characteristic curve was extracted at several rotational speeds. Then, rapid data acquisition was performed at a rate of 1000 samples per second and in an interval of 3 seconds, at speeds of 57000, 80000, and 90000 rpm, and the static pressure was recorded at three points in the volute region. Statistical and frequency domain analysis using fast Fourier transform were used to identify instability indicators. The results showed that at speeds of 57000 and 80000 rpm, the changes in standard deviation with decreasing mass flow rate were limited and it was not possible to detect a definite surge entry based on this alone; in contrast, at speed of 90000 rpm, a noticeable increase in the amplitude of pressure fluctuations was observed. Also, in the unstable state, a dominant frequency component around 47 Hz was clearly excited and was strengthened by decreasing the mass parameter. Comparison of measurement points showed that the intensity of fluctuations was maximum at the end of volute, before its outlet and the amplitude of pressure fluctuations increased by about 2.6 times.
Keywords
Centrifugal Compressor
Surge Instability
High Rotational Speed
Volute
Fast Fourier Transform
Subjects
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Amirkabir Journal of Mechanical Engineering
Volume 58, Issue 1
2026
Pages 113-132