Control of Surge in Centrifugal Compressors by Active Magnetic Bearings—Theory and Implementation

Surge Control of Active-magnetic-bearing-suspended Centrifugal Compressors sets out the fundamentals of integrating active magnetic bearing (AMB) rotor suspension technology in compressor systems, and describes how this relatively new bearing technology can be employed in active control of compressor surge initiation. The authors provide a self-contained and comprehensive review of rotordynamics and the fundamentals of AMB technology. The active stabilization of compressor surge employing AMBs in a machine is fully explored, from modeling of instability and controller design, to the implementation and experimental testing of the control algorithm in a specially-constructed, industrial-size centrifugal compression system. The results of these tests demonstrate the great potential of the new surge control method suggested in this text. This book will be useful for engineers in industries that involve turbocompressors and magnetic bearings, as well as for researchers and graduate students in the field of applied control. Whatever their level of experience, engineers working in the fields of turbomachinery, magnetic bearings, rotordynamics and controls will find the material in this book absorbing as all these important aspects of engineering are integrated to create a multi-disciplinary solution to a real-life industrial problem and the book is a suitable introduction to the area for newcomers.

All three authors of this book are affiliated with the Rotating Machinery and Controls (ROMAC) laboratory. Dr. Paul E. Allaire is the director, Dr. Zongli Lin is a faculty member and Yoon Se Young is a graduate research assistant of the laboratory. The ROMAC Industrial Program supports cooperative research efforts conducted by faculty, staff, and students in the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department and the Electrical Engineering Department at the University of Virginia. The ROMAC Industrial Program emphasizes theoretical and experimental research in areas such as rotordynamics, turbomachinery, magnetic bearings, and the application of automatic controls to the dynamics of rotating machinery. Current ROMAC industrial partners include many of the major compressor manufacturers and end-users in the world, including Kobelco, Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) of Taiwan, Cameron Compressors, Dresser-Rand, Siemens, UTC, Rolls Royce, Turbo Care, Solar Turbines, and Elliott Compressors.