Purchasing Resources for Centrifugal Compressors

Centrifugal Compressors Key Terms

Learn the language of centrifugal compressors to impress your vendors
By Howard Robertson A centrifugal compressor (also known as a radial compressor) compresses fluid by using rotating vanes or impellers. For achieving high discharge pressures, you can also use a multi-stage centrifugal compressor.

If you want to use centrifugal compressors for your applications, you will need to be aware of various technical terms relating to them. This guide will familiarize you with the key terms of centrifugal compressors, including gauge pressure, brake horsepower, compression efficiency, impellers, API 617 and SCFM.

Gauge pressure

Gauge pressure (also referred to as overpressure) is the pressure of a system measured by a gauge or any other pressure-measuring instruments.
Try:  JPL Air Compressor Service and Main Power Connect provide air compressor glossaries explaining various key terms such as gauge pressure.

Brake horsepower

Compressor manufacturers use brake horsepower, a measurement unit, to specify the power of a centrifugal compressor. The brake horsepower of a compressor is the horsepower required at the compressor shaft for its efficient functioning.
Try:  Industrial Air Power, a supplier of compressor parts, offers information about the term brake horsepower. PneuSource, Inc., a specialist in the air-compression technology, also provides definitions for compressed air terms.

Compression efficiency

Compression efficiency is the ratio of the theoretical work requirement to the actual work required to be done on the fluid for its compression and delivery.
Try:  R and R Compressor Service Co. publishes the basics of compression efficiency. In addition, Enerquip offers a glossary of compressor key terms, such as compression efficiency.

Impellers

An impeller is a rotating device that pushes the liquids, gases or vapors into the desired direction. Axial and radial are the most common type of impellers.
Try:  Learn more about impellers Pneumatic-Source.com, a knowledge resource for pneumatic manufacturers.

PTC 10 - 1997

This code provides test procedures to determine the thermodynamic performance of an axial or centrifugal compressor or exhauster doing work on a gas of known or measurable properties under specified conditions.
Try:  To learn more about this standard, you can browse through the ASME International Web site.

API 617

The American Petroleum Institute (API) develops standards for many devices used in the oil and gas industry. API 617 covers the minimum requirements for centrifugal compressors for use in the petroleum, chemical and gas industries.
Try:  The American Petroleum Institute provides detailed information about this standard.

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