2.1.2. Compressor Operation

In general, there is a variety of approaches regarding compressor modeling—from the simplest calculations (e.g., polytropic work calculation with constant parameters and efficiencies) to the most complex ones (comprising efficiency and power maps, and shaft speed calculations) [70,71]. As shown later, the calculation should be carried out in the most precise way possible whenever the data is accessible as, for instance, compressor shaft revolutions affect the turbine efficiency drastically. Hence, performance and efficiency curves were included in the model via the Aspen Plus® interface. As a result, the model considered the mass flow through the compressor and the desired output pressure, and provided information on the required power input, polytropic efficiency, and shaft speed, as well as complete outlet stream results.
