Abstract
Air sand erosion is a widely affecting phenomenon in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, where a solid particle impacting on a wall surface causing catastrophic damage, to the engine compressor. Operation in such a harsh environment is subjected to performance and life deterioration due to sand ingestion. In the present paper, the effect of air sand erosion on transonic compressors is addressed. Flow rate, particle size, and particle concentration are selected as parameters to predict the effect of erosion rate and particle distribution on and along with the compressor blades. Results show that particle concentration has the most significant effect on blade erosion rate and particle size has less effect among all other measured parameters. Surface deformation and roughness are in scope for further investigation.