What is a High Speed centrifugal air compressor used for?
Applications that require a constant supply of compressed air tend to choose centrifugal air compressors. At the heart of centrifugal compressor technology is an individually designed impeller. Every compressor unit has an optimized power range and impeller. Centrifugal air compressors are used in many industries, including automotive, pharma, textile, oil and gas, renewable energy, and food and beverage.
This post focuses on what a centrifugal air compressor is used for. On top of it, you will learn about:
- What is a centrifugal air compressor?
- How does a centrifugal air compressor work?
- Centrifugal air compressor controls and sizing basics
- Pros, cons, and applications of centrifugal air compressors
Let’s get started.
What is a centrifugal air compressor?
A centrifugal air compressor is a radial flow compressor type that utilizes mechanical energy to increase pressure and lower velocity. The compressor is categorized under the rotodynamic compressors. These compressors are suitable for applications that require a constant flow of compressed air.
How does a high speed centrifugal compressor work?
Air is drawn into the impeller center with radial blades and pushed to the center of the compressor unit through centrifugal force. The radial air motion results in increased pressure and kinetic energy generation. The kinetic energy is converted into pressure before it is directed to the center of the impeller.
Each centrifugal compressor stage is involved in increasing the overall pressure in the compressor unit. Multiple stages can be arranged in a series to achieve the desired pressure for any application. This kind of multi-stage compressor arrangement is used in the oil and gas industry. Accordingly, wastewater treatment plants require low pressure, making single-stage compressors more suitable for such applications.
Ultra-high-speed electric motors are used in the latest centrifugal compressor configurations to drive the impellers. The result is an oil-free air compressor without gearboxes.
The core elements that make up centrifugal air compressor include:
Impeller
The air enters the compressor unit through the impellers with rotating blades that increase the velocity of air. Once the air is at the center of the impellers, the velocity reduces while pressure is increased.
Diffuser
The diffuser converts kinetic energy into pressure by slowing down the airflow.
Volute
The diffuser discharges air into the volute. The volute is where the air is collected before it is distributed to the outlet pipe.
Centrifugal air compressor controls and basics
Large air compressors used in manufacturing plants and other applications that require massive volumes of compressed air are typically centrifugal air compressors. These compressors may not be very different from rotary screw air compressors. However, centrifugal air compressors do not have internal rubbing parts, apart from the bearings and seals. This aspect makes them more reliable and highly efficient.
The airflow rate in a centrifugal air compressor is relatively constant at any given pressure point and temperature. However, most centrifugal air compressors do not run base-loaded. Accordingly, the inlet condition may change depending on seasons and other factors.
Centrifugal compressors can work in a centrifugal compressor-only system or as multiple units with different parts. Additionally, they can work with rotary screw air compressors in a parallel arrangement. Any of these arrangements require a better understanding of the centrifugal air compressor controls and basics.
High Speed Centrifugal air compressor basics
A centrifugal air compressor works by developing pressure at the center of the impeller and through the impeller by centrifugal force. The diffuser converts velocity energy into pressure energy in line with Bernoulli’s principle.
Typically, a centrifugal air compressor has three stages. They also have intercoolers between every stage and an aftercooler after the last stage.
Modern centrifugal compressor manufacturers ensure the configurations are more reliable, efficient, and compact. These units are mounted on a simple base with gears, driver, piping, and integrated controls. Modern centrifugal compressor controls are designed to enhance reliability, constant pressure, and capacity.
The basic centrifugal compressor components include:
- Motor
- Two intercoolers
- Aftercooler
- Blow-off valve
- Gears
- Air compression stages
- Check valve
- Control panel
Pros and cons of centrifugal compressors
Advantages of centrifugal air compressors
- Centrifugal air compressors are relatively lightweight and compact.
- They do not require special foundations.
- Centrifugal air compressors can supply constant compressed air for applications that need massive volumes of compressed air.
- Centrifugal air compressors are oil-free.
- They have fewer internal rubbing components.
- They have high compressed air flow rate than positive displacement air compressors.
- Centrifugal air compressors are relatively energy-efficient.
- Centrifugal air compressors are highly reliable and cost-effective.
- Centrifugal air compressors are designed to offer a wide range of rotational speeds.
- They generate a higher pressure ratio in every compression stage than axial flow air compressors.
Disadvantages of centrifugal air compressors
- Centrifugal air compressors often experience issues, such as surging, stalling, and choking.
- They are not suitable for applications that need high compression with limited pressure.
- These compressor units are sensitive to gas composition changes.
- They require sophisticated mounting since they operate at high speed.
Applications of centrifugal air compressors
Centrifugal air compressors are best suited for applications that require a relatively constant compressed air supply. Some centrifugal compressor applications include:
- Gas turbines and power units
- Automotive industry
- Gas and oil industry
- Foods and beverage plants
- Air conditioning and HVAC systems
- Oil refining plants
- Commercial buildings
- Manufacturing plants
- Air tools
These are just but a few areas where centrifugal air compressors are used. If you want to buy a compressor unit for any application, you should consider many factors, including the centrifugal air compressor price and your needs. China centrifugal air compressor factory guarantees quality centrifugal air compressors optimized to meet your specific demands.
The bottom line
Centrifugal air compressors are also known as radial compressors. They are part of the rotodynamic compressor category. These compressor units are used in different applications because they are more reliable, efficient, and low-maintenance.
A centrifugal air compressor can achieve pressure rise by adding the air velocity to a continuous fluid flow through the impeller or rotors. The kinetic energy is converted to increase static pressure by slowing airspeed in the diffuser. That is basically the centrifugal air compressor working principle. This article has illustrated what a centrifugal air compressor is and its uses. If you want to buy a centrifugal air compressor for your applications, start by understanding the controls and basics.