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Centrifugal Compressors

Centrifugal compressors work by accelerating gas radially outward into a diffuser using an impeller. They have advantages like lower cost and size compared to positive displacement compressors. Disadvantages include lower efficiency at low flows and risks of surge from unstable flow. Main components are a casing, impeller, diffuser, seals and bearings. Casings can be horizontally or vertically split. Seals include labyrinth, carbon ring, wet and dry seals. Surge causes damaging flow oscillations while stonewall refers to sonic choke conditions.

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Inaam Ur Rehman
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98 views19 pages

Centrifugal Compressors

Centrifugal compressors work by accelerating gas radially outward into a diffuser using an impeller. They have advantages like lower cost and size compared to positive displacement compressors. Disadvantages include lower efficiency at low flows and risks of surge from unstable flow. Main components are a casing, impeller, diffuser, seals and bearings. Casings can be horizontally or vertically split. Seals include labyrinth, carbon ring, wet and dry seals. Surge causes damaging flow oscillations while stonewall refers to sonic choke conditions.

Uploaded by

Inaam Ur Rehman
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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CENTRIFUGAL

COMPRESSORS
Working Principle
Multistage Compressors
ADVANTAGES OF
CENTRIFUGAL COMPRESSORS
• Long continuous runs
• For same operating conditions, machine prices are
lower than positive displacement compressors.
• Small size & lightweight
• Installation cost lower
• Operating cost lower
• Direct driven (without a gear reducer)
• Simple flow control
• No lube oil contamination
• No pressure pulsation
DISADVANTAGES OF
CENTRIFUGAL COMPRESSORS
• For same flow rate, lesser efficiency than
reciprocating compressors
• Operation not efficient below surge point
• Operating at a very high speed, thus
more chances of a big failure
Main Parts of Compressor
• Casing
• Impeller
• Diffuser
• Diaphragms
• Seals
• Bearings
• Shaft
Casing
Two types of casing are normally used

• Horizontally split
• Vertically split
HORIZONTALLY SPLIT

Split line is along horizontal


axis
All connections like inlet,
exhaust, oil piping in the
lower half
Access to compressor
internals just by lifting upper
casing
Normally used upto 400 psig
and 300 oF
Vertically split

•Split line of casing along


vertical axis
•Form of hollow cylinder
enclosed by two heavy flanges
at both ends
•All connections usually in the
extreme end flanges
•Access to compressor
internals only possible after
complete dismantling
DIAPHRAGMS & DIFFUSERS
•The diaphragm constitutes
the fluid dynamic profile of
the stator.
•These have the double
function of forming the
diffuser in which the
transformation from kinetic
energy to pressure energy
takes place and the return
channel to guide the gas back
to the entrance of next
impeller
SEALS
Normally these types of seals are used

• Labyrinth type seal


• Carbon Ring Seal
• Wet Seal
• Dry Seal
Labyrinth type seal
Carbon Ring Seal
Wet Seals
Dry Seals
Bearings
Intercoolers
Stonewall
• The term stonewall refers to the condition when
the compressor fails to develop any head, as the
suction volumetric flow is too high for a given
RPM.  
• Normally it occurs when speed of gas achieves
sonic velocity at the tip of impeller
• Choke conditions cause a large drop in
efficiency, but do not lead to destruction of the
unit.
Surge
• Surge, on the other hand, refers to the condition
when the compressor is subject to extreme flow
oscillations and instability; this is caused by
insufficient suction flow or limited discharge .
As a result, high vibration, temperature
increases, and rapid changes in axial thrust can
occur. These occurrences can damage the rotor
seals, rotor bearings, the compressor driver and
cycle operation.

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