What is a compressor surge?

A compressor surge is flow through a compressor that is against the direction of flow during normal operation or an oscillating flow in both directions. The surge can result in a condition known as compressor stall, which stops the compressor and can cause serious damage.

What is a surge condition?

This surge condition is analogous to an aircraft “stall” condition—it’s essentially the same phenomena. Given the possible harm to the equipment, a special surge prevention algorithm is required to efficiently protect the compressor. The controller response time also must be higher than for majority of other control loops.

What happens when a jet engine compressor surges?

When a jet engine experiences a compressor surge, the violent reversal of airflow usually results in a loud banging noise and an expulsion of air or gout of flame from the engine intake. This can damage the engine and cause complete engine failure. In less severe cases, it simply results in engine stall or sputtering.

What happens if you get a power surge in your engine?

The surge can result in a condition known as compressor stall, which stops the compressor and can cause serious damage. In the case of turbine engines, like jet airplane engines, a surge which results in a stall can cause the engine to stop, or even fail, if damaged.