Compressor mass flow

Introduction

Gas turbine engine certification requires good knowledge of the compressor surge margin. While the working and surge line are easily measurable on a test rig, mass flow measurement is not usually possible in the installed condition. This gives rise to uncertainty on the actual surge margin available for operability manoeuvres. A method to derive the mass flow parameter during transient operation is being proposed. Validation and standardisation of this method would provide a complementary tool for compressor specification. Feedback is requested so as to better evaluate the usefulness of such a standard within the gas turbine community.