Abstract: After determing the compressor to be tip stall or root stall type, control measures can be considered to extend the scope of compressor working stability. The maximum Lyapunov exponent , which is one of nonlinear time series analysis methods, is used to estimate the compressor stall type. This article investigates the dynamic total pressure taking from a low-speed single and 1-5 stage axial compressors in stability and instability operation condition. Calculating and comparing the maximum Lyapunov exponent at different blade height when the compressor is working in design point, it is found that the tip of rotor stall earlier where the value is greater. The results show considerable agreement with the time domain analysis for instability working state.

Key words: compressors, stall, chaos, Lyapunov exponent