![]() In the case of a centrifugal compressor, the rotating member is an impeller – a specialized fan of sorts that utilizes a series of contoured blades to direct the incoming fluid (which is flowing directly into the face of the blades) and redirect it outward, perpendicular from the incoming direction, discharging the fluid into a diffuser and (in the case of a single stage compressor) into a snail-shaped member that is referred to as a volute, compressor housing or scroll.įigure 2 Centrifugal compressor unshrouded impellerįigure 3 Centrifugal compressor illustration While it is not uncommon for single-stage air applications to top out at or near a 3:1 pressure ratio (the compressor triples the incoming pressure of the working fluid), specialized designs have been developed to operate at pressure ratios of 10:1 in a single stage, and do so in a compact package in comparison to compressors of other types having similar capacities.Īs far as the name implies – centrifugal compressors operate in much the same manner as a centrifuge (as well as a playground merry-go-round) – where rotation is utilized to accelerate an item (or fluid in this case) from the center, expelling it toward the outside diameter (some of you may recall sitting in the middle of the merry-go-round trying to stay in the middle until it reached a point where you could no longer hang on.). While there are many types and configurations of compressors (rotary screw, axial, reciprocating to name a few), centrifugal compressors are favored for their relative simplicity as well as their ability to flow large volumes of working fluid (air, refrigerant, etc.) at moderate pressures. Beyond transportation, centrifugal compressors are often found in wastewater applications for aeration in various stages of the treatment process, HVAC applications where they are utilized to compress refrigerants as well as in the oil and gas industry and petrochemical plants where they are incorporated into various processes. Common examples on small aircraft, trains and automobiles include turbochargers, a device that combines a centrifugal compressor with a turbine on a common shaft, making use of otherwise wasted heat and energy from an engine’s exhaust, using it to drive a compressor to pump additional air into an engine, (aka-supercharging or in this case “turbocharging” which results in improved engine efficiency and power output). They are particularly popular on aircraft where they are used to do various jobs, among them pressurization of aircraft cabins as well as in air cycle machines, keeping occupants comfortable thanks to their compact size and simplicity (relative to other compressor types). They can be found on planes, trains and automobiles in various sizes and shapes. Centrifugal compressors (aka- turbocompressors) though you may not be familiar with them, we need not look far to find examples in our daily lives.
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