Centrifugal Compressors
Tips & Advice to help you make your decision on Centrifugal Compressors
Centrifugal compressors are popular pieces of machinery used in more than 30 industries for a variety of applications. Using minimal amounts of chemicals or oils, centrifugal compressors work by compressing air and gases with the mechanisms before releasing the substances through a rotating, or centrifugal force.
There are four main categories of centrifugal compressors: gear-type compressors, barrel centrifugal compressors isotherm compressors, and pipeline centrifugal compressors. Each of these four types of centrifugal compressors has specific applications for various industries. For example, gear-type compressors are the most energy efficient compressors, and are also the least expensive. On the other hand, barrel centrifugal compressors are generally used in oil and chemical industries when dealing with dangerous gases. Isotherm compressors are beneficial because they are quieter than many of the other compressors and use lower amounts of energy, making them good for general air compression. Finally, pipeline compressors are generally used in large pipelines to return traveling gases to a compressed state.
Although these centrifugal compressors have a variety of applications, you may want to consider renting one of the above devices before deciding on a large purchase. Purchasing a centrifugal compressor can become very expensive, especially when considering the amount of disassembly required for proper maintenance.
For more information about centrifugal compressors, visit Business.com.
Centrifugal Compressors Key Terms
Learn the language of centrifugal compressors to impress your vendorsBy 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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The American Petroleum Institute provides detailed information about this standard.
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