A method for estimations of performance characteristics of centrifugal compressors was examined by comparing the estimated results with those by experiments. Lots of empirical and semi-empirical factors which were introduced to the losses within compressor channels in the estimations, and the experimental results for the compressors with a wide variety of configurations, operating conditions and design techniques were investigated. After the extensive comparisons, the most appropriate

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... ns of the factors for the present method were given. By employing this method, the major factors which are directly related to the performance characteristics were computed and the relationships among them were discussed. Thus, the ratio of the relative velocity at the impeller exit to that at the inlet, the nondimensional relative velocity at the impeller inlet and that at the exit were obtained as the parameters of the slip factor, the flow coefficient and the specific speed.