Question on compressors and diffusers
Hi all, hope it's ok to ask this question here, if not I am sure I shall be moved...
When air enters the inlet, it is compressed by the compressor, increasing its mass and temperature, so pressure energy increases and volume decreases. So in this case does the static pressure increase and dynamic decrease?
In the case of a centrifugal compressor, the air is accelerated radially outwards, and my AGK notes state that velocity increases and pressure increases.
Now if you apply the mass flow is equal equation, in this case acceleration will increase dynamic but as a result, static must decrease, so total pressure essentially remains the same?
So I don't get what goes on. The vanes of the centrifugal compressor diverge, which would slow down the air and decrease dynamic and increase static, but all this does essentially nothing to the total pressure of the air?
Can someone in VERY BASIC terms tell me what is happening to the pressure? How is it compressed to begin with?
Confused, confused, confused!!!!
Would appreciate any help on this,
Thank you in advance
PM