In aircraft design and gas turbine engine performance analysis, the pressure ratio in a compressor is a key parameter that characterizes the level of compression achieved by the compressor. It represents the ratio of the discharge pressure (the pressure at the compressor exit) to the inlet pressure (the pressure at the compressor inlet).
The formula for calculating the pressure ratio (PR) in a compressor can be defined as:
- Pressure Ratio (PR) is the dimensionless parameter representing the ratio of discharge pressure to inlet pressure. It has no units.
- Discharge Pressure is the pressure of the air at the compressor exit, typically measured in pascals (Pa), pounds per square inch (psi), or any pressure unit.
- Inlet Pressure is the pressure of the air at the compressor inlet, measured in the same pressure units as discharge pressure.