A Video Lecture

on
Introduction to Centrifugal
Compressors
By, Prof. A.S. Gujrathi
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
SNJB’s K.B. Jain College of Engineering,
Chandwad, Dist. Nashik
 Compressors- Defination

• A compressor is a mechanical device that increases the pressure of the gas by

reducing its volume. An air compressor is a specific type of gas compressor.
• As gases are compressible, the compressor also reduces the volume of a gas. Liquids
are relatively incompressible; while some can be compressed, the main action of a
pump is to pressurize and transport liquids.
 Classification of the compressors
Compressors

Positive displacement Dynamic

Reciprocating Rotary Centrifugal Axial

Single acting Double acting Lobe Screw Vane

Diaphragm Liquid ring Scroll

Applications of the compressors
 Centrifugal compressors

Construction
Major components of a
centrifugal compressor are:

Inlet Casing with nozzle

Impeller
Diffuser
Volute Casing
 Centrifugal compressors
• The working principle is based upon
imparting kinetic energy to a fluid
stream and conversion of this dynamic
energy into static energy, i.e., from
velocity into pressure.

• The specific compression energy

transmitted to the gas by the impeller
is called "head."

• The discharge pressure of a turbo

compressor, which is affected by gas
inlet conditions, is a function of head.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Centrifugal Compressors

Advantages:
Disadvantages
• Discharge flow is relatively free of pulsation.
• Less efficient for small volumes.
• Mechanical design permits high through Discharge pressure limitation.
puts, capacity limitation is rarely a problem.
• Effect of gas density and
• Centrifugal Compressors are capable efficient temperature. Problem of surge
performance over a wide range of pressure phenomenon.

and capacities even at constant speed

operation.
• These are relatively small, occupy less
space, operate with minimum attention and
quieter.
• Less contamination due to lubricants.
T-S Diagram of Centrifugal Compressor
Let us understand the sequence in which components of centrifugal compressor are

Block diagram of centrifugal compressor

The T-S diagram is drawn in following three combinations.

(A) Considering extreme inlet and outlet points (01-02)
(B) Considering every components of compressor. (01-1-2-3-02)
(C) Considering every components of compressor with combined effect of diffuser and casing (01-1-2-02)
 T-S Diagram of Centrifugal Compressor

(A) Considering extreme inlet and outlet points (01-02)

(B) Considering every components of compressor. (01-1-2-3-02)
(C) Considering every components of compressor with combined effect of diffuser and casing (01-1-2-02)
T-S Diagram of Centrifugal Compressor

Fig:Considering every components of compressor with

Fig: Pressure velocity Distribution
combined effect of diffuser and casing (01-1-2-02)
 T-S Diagram of Centrifugal Compressor
Work of compression
Steady flow energy equation (SFEE)
Q-W = ΔH + ΔKE+ΔPE
As process is adiabatic, Q = 0, ΔPE = 0 W is -ve ,
𝒎 ( 𝑪 𝟏 𝟐 −𝑪 𝟎𝟏 𝟐 )
ΔH = ṁ Cp (T2 – T1) ΔKE = 𝟐𝒙𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎
Substituting the above value in SFEE equations, we have
𝒎 ( 𝑪 𝟐 𝟐 −𝑪 𝟏 𝟐 )
W = m Cp ( T2 – T1 ) + kW
𝟐 𝒙 𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎
Isentropic Efficiency
ηi=(T2I-T1)/(T2-T1)
 T-S Diagram of Centrifugal Compressor
Stagnation enthalpy
Stagnation Enthalpy=static enthalpy + KE
hstag=h+C2/2
CpT0=CpT+C2/2
T0=T+C2/2Cp
Stagnation Temp at inlet
T01=T1+C12/2Cp
Stagnation Temp at outlet
T02=T2+C22/2Cp
Where T is Temp in K, Cp is Sp heat of air in J/kgK,
C is velocity in m/s
 T-S Diagram of Centrifugal Compressor
Considering extreme inlet and outlet points (01-02)
𝒎 ( 𝑪 𝟐 𝟐 −𝑪 𝟏 𝟐 )
W= m Cp ( T2 – T1 ) + 𝟐
( 𝑪 𝟐 𝟐 −𝑪 𝟏 𝟐 )
W= m Cp [( T2 – T1 ) + 𝟐 𝑪𝒑
]
𝑪𝟐𝟐 𝑪𝟏𝟐
W = m Cp [( T2 + ) – (T1 + ) ]
𝟐 𝑪𝒑 𝟐 𝑪𝒑
W = m Cp ( T02 – T01)
T-S Diagram of Centrifugal Compressor

Isentropic processes
Υ−1
𝑇01 𝑷 Υ
01-1 = 𝟎𝟏
𝑇1 𝑷𝟏

Υ−1
𝑇2𝐼 𝑷 Υ
1-2I = 𝟐
𝑇1 𝑷𝟏

Υ−1
𝑇02 𝑷 Υ
2-02 = 𝟎𝟐
𝑇2 𝑷𝟐
 Numericals
1. A centrifugal compressor used as a supercharger for aero engines handles 150kg/min of the air. The suction
pressure and temperature are 1 bar & 290K. The suction velocity is 80m/s. After compression in the impeller the
conditions are 1.5 bar 345K and 220m/s. Calculate i) Power required to drive compressor II) Isentropic efficiency III)
The Overall efficiency (Take Cp=1.005kJ/kgK, Υ=1.4)

Solution : Given data

Mass flow rate m=150kg/min =2.5kg/s
Static pressure at inlet P1=1 bar
Static Temperature at inlet T1=290K
Inlet velocity C1=80m/s
Static pressure at outlet P2=1.5bar
Static Temperature at outlet T2=345K
Outlet Velocity C2=220m/s

To find
W, ηi, ηo
 Numericals
Isentropic Efficiency based on static Stagnation Temp at outlet
values
T02=T2+C22/2Cp T02=369.07K
ηis=(T2I-T1)/(T2-T1)
Isentropic Process 01-1
Isentropic process 1-2I Υ
𝑃01 𝑻 𝟎𝟏 Υ−1
Υ−1
= P01=1.038 bar
𝑃1 𝑻𝟏
𝑇2𝐼 𝑷𝟐 Υ
=
𝑇1 𝑷𝟏
Isentropic Process 2-02
Υ
T2I= 325.61K ηis = 64.75% 𝑃02 𝑻 𝟎𝟐 Υ−1 P02=1.899 bar
=
𝑃2 𝑻𝟐
Isentropic Efficiency based on stagnation
Power required to drive the compressor values (Overall efficiency) Υ−1
𝑇02𝐼 𝑷 𝟎𝟐 Υ T02I= 348.3K
W = m Cp ( T2 – T1 ) +
𝒎 ( 𝑪 𝟐 𝟐 −𝑪 𝟏 𝟐 )
kW η0=(T02I-T01)/(T02-T01) =
𝟐 𝒙 𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝑇01 𝑷 𝟎𝟏
W = 190.68 kW Stagnation Temp at inlet η0=72.68%
T01=T1+C12/2Cp T01=293.18K
Velocity Triangle for the Centrifugal Compressor
Inlet Exit/Outlet

absolute velocity Ci Co

whirl or tangential component Cwi Cwo

velocity of flow or radial component absolute velocity Cfi Cfo

relative velocity Cri Cro

blade velocity at the tip of impeller Cbi Cbo

radius of impeller ri ro

Impeller angle θ Φ

Guide blade /Diffuser balde angle α β

Velocity Triangle for the Centrifugal Compressor

The compression work can be written as

W=m(CwoCbo-CwiCbi)
As α=900 Cwi=0 and Ci=Cfi
W=mCboCwo
Velocity Triangle for the Centrifugal Compressor

Ideal Work /Euler Work ● Ideally it is assumed for maximum efficiency or

maximum work input ,the blade should be
radial at outlet i.e.Φ =900
● Cwo =Cbo
● The compression work can be written as

W=mCboCwo
W=mCbo2
Fig : Outlet Velocity Triangle
 Important Definations

Slip

Fig : Fluid deviation due to Fig : Outlet modified velocity Fig : Superimposed ideal and
pressure distribution & ideal tangle actual diagrams
velocity outlet tangle
 Important Definations

Slip ● Actual practice because of the inertia of gas trapped between the impeller
blades lags behind compared to the movement of impeller.
● The effect of this is to create a pressure difference across the impeller blades
with a high pressure on leading face and comparatively low pressure on trailing
face
● Due to this the gas flows at a higher speed on the low pressure side compared to
high pressure side, hence, a velocity gradient would exist across the impeller
blades.
● As a result, the gas leaves tangentially only on the high pressure side and
nowhere else while at other points the direction of velocity vector differs that
from exit blade angle Φ.
● The gas will thus be discharged at a certain average angle Φ’ which is less than
the impeller blade exit angle Φ = 90° for radial vanes is shown by actual velocity
● It results into reduction in whirl velocity component from Cwo to C’wo. This
phenomenon is called slip.
Fig : Superimposed ideal ● The difference of ideal and actual whirl velocities (Cwo -C’wo) is called slip.
and actual diagrams
 Important Definations
Slip Factor ψs ● The ratio of actual whirl velocity Cw to ideal whirl velocity
Cwo is called slip factor ψs..

Actual work/kg of air =Сьо С’wo

Fig : Superimposed ideal

and actual diagrams
Important Definations

Work Input Factor/ Power Factor ψw

It is Defined as the ratio of Actual Work Done to the Theoretical Work Done by the
Compressor.
𝑾𝒂𝒄𝒕
Ψw = 𝑾𝒕𝒉

𝑊𝑎𝑐𝑡 = Ψw* Wth

𝑊𝑎𝑐𝑡 = Ψs* Ψw* m* Cbo2

𝑊𝑎𝑐𝑡 = Ψs* Ψw* Wideal

 Important Definations

Pressure Coefficient ψp Relationship between ψs , ψw, ψp

It is Defined as the ratio of isentropic Work
Isentropic Efficiency
to the Eulers Work of the Compressor.
𝑾𝒊𝒔𝒆𝒏
ηi = 𝑾𝒂𝒄𝒕
𝑾𝒊𝒔𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒊𝒄
Ψp = 𝑾𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒂𝒍 𝑊𝑖𝑠𝑒𝑛 = ηi * Wact
𝑊𝑎𝑐𝑡 = Ψs* Ψw* Wideal
𝑊𝑖𝑠𝑒𝑛 = ηi * Ψs* Ψw* Wideal

Ψp =
𝑾𝒊𝒔𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒊𝒄 ηi ∗ Ψs∗ Ψw∗ Wideal
𝑾𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒂𝒍 Ψp =
𝑾𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒂𝒍

Ψp = ηi ∗ Ψs∗ Ψw
Types of Vanes

Types of Vanes
Types of Vanes

As the fluid flows through

the passage between the
rotor blades, the fluid
experiences a “push” by the
blades The blades impart
energy to the fluid, exerting
that push on it.
 Numericals

1. A centrifugal compressor impeller admits 20 kg/s air at static state of 1bar, 300 K and runs at 15000 rpm.
Isentropic efficiency is 90% for the compression upto 5 bar total pressure. The air enters the impeller eye without
prewhirl with the velocity of 120 m/s. Considering the ratio of whirl velocity to tip speed as 0.9 and the internal
diameter of the impeller eye as 20 cm, Determine : (i) Rise in the total temperature in the compressor (ii) Impeller
tip speed. (iii) Impeller tip diameter. (iv) Power required to drive compressor. (v) Outer diameter of the impeller
eye

Solution : Given data

Numericals
Numericals
 Numericals
2. The impeller of a centrifugal compressor has the inlet and outlet diameter of 0.3 and 0.6 m, respectively. The intake is
from the atmosphere at 100kPa and 300 K, without any whirl component. The outlet blade angle is75°. The speed is
10000 rpm and the velocity of flow is constant at 120m/s. If the blade width at intake is 6 cm, Calculate : (i) Specific work
(ii) Exit pressure (iii) Mass flow rate. (iv) Power required to drive compressor if the overall efficiency can be assumed at 0.7

Soulution : Given data

Numericals
Numericals

= 7.8813 kg/s
Thank You