In aircraft design and engineering, adiabatic efficiency (η) is a parameter used to quantify how efficiently a compressor (such as an axial flow compressor in a gas turbine engine) accomplishes the compression process without heat exchange with the surroundings. Adiabatic efficiency is expressed as a percentage and represents the ratio of the actual work done by the compressor to the ideal or isentropic work that would be done under adiabatic (heatless) and reversible conditions.
The formula for calculating adiabatic efficiency (η) in a compressor can be defined as:
- η (Eta) is the adiabatic efficiency, expressed as a percentage.
- Actual Work Done by Compressor is the real work done by the compressor as it compresses air, typically measured in joules (J) or other energy units.
- Ideal Isentropic Work Done by Compressor is the work that would be done if the compression process were adiabatic and reversible, also measured in joules (J) or energy units.