QUESTION
What is balance line leakage rate and how it is related to compressor performance?
REPLIES
LittleInch
It’s the leakage on a balance line.
Balance line typically goes from a high pressure tapping to the low pressure end of the compressor to help “balance” out the thrust forces.
Review this:
As it involves moving parts and seals there is some leakage. This is in essence simply a flow from high to low pressure around the compressor and hence if it becomes significant then the compressor is doing the same work, but the overall flow is reduced as some is going back to the low pressure end instead of flowing out of the compressor.
SOURCE
https://www.eng-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=422986
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