Experimental application of extremum seeking on an axial-flow compressor

We show an application of the method of extremum seeking to the problem of maximizing the pressure rise in an axial-flow compressor. First we apply extremum seeking to the Moore-Greitzer model and design a feedback scheme actuated through a bleed valve which simultaneously stabilizes rotating stall and surge and steers the system towards the equilibrium with maximal pressure. Then we implement the scheme on a compressor rig in Murray's laboratory at the California Institute of Technology. We perform stabilization of rotating stall via air injection and implement extremum seeking through a slow bleed valve. The experiment demonstrates that extremum seeking ensures the maximization of the pressure rise starting on either side of the stall inception point. The experiment also resolves a concern that extremum seeking requires the use of periodic probing-the amplitude of probing needed to achieve convergence is far below the noise level of the compressor system (even outside rotating stall).