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Intro To Centrifugal Compressor

1) Centrifugal compressors work by using rapidly rotating impeller blades to force gas into a radial direction and convert the kinetic energy into increased pressure. 2) They are commonly used for continuous gas flows in industries like chemical, petroleum refining, and steel due to their smaller size and less vibration compared to positive displacement compressors. 3) The gas enters the impeller axially and exits radially into a diffuser which contains stationary vanes that convert the velocity into higher pressure by diverging the flow path. Multiple impeller stages can be used to further increase the pressure.

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Muhammad Ridhwan
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2K views5 pages

Intro To Centrifugal Compressor

1) Centrifugal compressors work by using rapidly rotating impeller blades to force gas into a radial direction and convert the kinetic energy into increased pressure. 2) They are commonly used for continuous gas flows in industries like chemical, petroleum refining, and steel due to their smaller size and less vibration compared to positive displacement compressors. 3) The gas enters the impeller axially and exits radially into a diffuser which contains stationary vanes that convert the velocity into higher pressure by diverging the flow path. Multiple impeller stages can be used to further increase the pressure.

Uploaded by

Muhammad Ridhwan
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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INTRODUCTION TO CENTRIFUGAL COMPRESSOR

Prepared by: Muhammad Ridhwan Abdul Rasid, Mechanical Trainee Date: 26th March 2010

FUNDAMENTAL OF COMPRESSOR
A compressor is a device that pressurizes a working fluid. One of the basic aims of using a compressor is
to compress the fluid and deliver it at a pressure higher than its original pressure. Compression is
required for a variety of purposes, some of which are listed below:
 To provide air for combustion
 To transport process fluid through pipelines
 To provide compressed air for driving pneumatic tools
 To circulate process fluid through a certain process
Of many types of compressors mostly used in the process industry, some of the more significant are
shown below:

Figure 1: Principal Types of Compressors

The positive displacement compressors are used for intermittent flow in which successive volumes of
fluid are confined in a closed space to increase their pressures. Dynamic compressor or continuous-flow
compressors are machines that the flow is continuous. These include centrifugal compressors and axial
flow compressors. These types of compressor are widely used in chemical and petroleum refinery
industry for specifies services.
They are also used in other industries such as the iron and steel industry, pipeline booster, and on
offshore platforms for reinjection compressors. Compared to positive displacement type compressor,
dynamic compressors are much smaller in size and produce much less vibration. The velocity of fluid
then converted into additional pressure by gradual deceleration in the diffuser or volute, which
surrounds the impeller. Meantime, axial compressor usually has higher efficiency and operates at the
highest flow rate.
CENTRIFUGAL COMPRESSOR
In centrifugal compressor, the gases flow enters the impeller in an axial direction and exits in a radial
direction. The gas fluid is forced through the impeller by rapidly rotating impeller blades. The kinetic
velocity energy from rotating impeller is converted to pressure energy, partially in the impeller and
partially in the stationary diffusers. The diffuser consists of a vaneless space, a vane that is tangential to
the impeller, or a combination of both. These vane passages diverge to convert the velocity head into
pressure energy.
High Velocity,
Higher Pressure
Gas Outlet.
Gas Outlet

Low Velocity,
Low Pressure
Gas Inlet

Figure 2: Impeller

Below are important things that we have to know about centrifugal compressor.
I. Basic Principles
 Centrifugal Action
In typical centrifugal compressor, the fluid is forced through the impeller by rapidly
rotating impeller blades. The velocity of the fluid is converted top pressure, partially in
the impeller and partially in the stationery diffuser. The example of centrifugal action is
shown below.

Figure 3: Centrifugal Force

 A Centrifugal Stage
Most of the velocity leaving the impeller is converted into pressure energy in the
diffuser. It is common for processing to have several stages in a single compressor. The
low pressure fluid will enter the inlet and increase stage by stage respectively.
Base on application requirement, centrifugal compressors can be design for single-stage
machines, either direct-driven or geared (Figure 4), and or are design for executed in
multistage configuration (Figure 5). Both single- and multistage machines are generally
made up of standardized components. There are two principal casing types: (4)
horizontally split casing and (5) vertically split casing (barrel-type compressors). The
selection are based on table at figure 8.
Figure 4: Single-stage Compressor

Figure 5: Multi-stage Compressor

 Energy Conversion
The diffuser consists essentially of vanes, which are tangential to the impeller. These
vane passages diverge to convert the velocity head into pressure energy.

Figure 6: Fluid Flowpath


The pressure, velocity and temperature are different at every point. Compressor
operate for long periods of time, hence it is classified as steady flow process. Based on
ideal gas law relationship, the temperature and pressure out for every stage are always
higher than input as the volume is decreased.
II. Centrifugal Applications
The centrifugal compressor has many applications, requiring it to have many performance
characteristics. Centrifugal compressors used in gas turbines are required to have a high
pressure ratio and have a narrow operating range. Centrifugal compressors operating in the
process industry have a need for a large operating range and thus operate at a small pressure
ratio.
The table below shows the centrifugal applications and services. Every application has different
fluid being handled.

Figure 7: Application of Centrifugal Compressors


III. Centrifugal Compressor in Process Industry
The common method of classifying process-type centrifugal compressors is based on the
number of impellers and the casing design. Table below shows three types of centrifugal
compressors. For each type of compressor, approximate maximum ratings of pressure, capacity
and brake horsepower are also shown.

Figure 8: Casing Type Classification

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