Centrifugal Compressor

 Centrifugal Compressor is a power absorbing turbomachine.

 The pressure developed per stage is higher than axial
compressor stage.
 Due to its complex geometry, multistaging is difficult. Centrifugal
compressors with maximum 3 to 4 stages is possible.
 With multistaging axial compressor can produce higher pressure
rise than centrifugal compressor.
 Efficiency of the centrifugal compressor(around 85-90%) is less
as compared to axial flow compressors (above 90%)
 Mass flow rate is low compared to axial compressor.
 Design and fabrication of centrifugal compressor is complicated.
 High pressure to weight ratio.
 Schematic diagram of Centrifugal Compressor

U1=π D1N/6 Volute

0 Diffuser

U2=π D2N/6 Casing

Hub
0 Inlet
Guide
Vanes Impeller

D2

Dt
D1
Drive
Dh Shaft

Acceleratin
g Nozzle Inducer Section
 Inlet Velocity Triangle
Without IGV(Zero Swirl) α 1=90o
w1
C1u =0 C1x =C1=Cr1 C1 is Axial
α β 1
1 u1

With IGV C1x =C1Sinα 1=W1Sin β 1

C1 w1 C1u =C1Cosα 1=C1xCotα 1

C1x
α β 1
1
=u1-C1x Cot β 1
u1
C1u
 Outlet Velocity Triangle
• When β 2<90o
C1x =C1Sinα 1=W1Sin β 1
C2 W2
C2x β C1u =C1Cosα 1=C1x Cotα 1
α 2 2
=u1-C1x Cot β 1
u2
C2u

C2x =W2=C2Sinα 2

C2
• When βα 2=90o (RadialWTip)=C 2 2x C2u= u2
2

C2u = u2
Mass Flow Rate in
CG Compressor

m=ρ1C1xπ D1b1

m=ρ1C1xπ (Dt2-Dh2)/4

m=ρ2C2xπ D2b2
Stage Work
W=u2C2u-u1C1u
1
= [(C − C ) + (u − u12 ) − (W22 − W12 ) ]
2 2 2
2 1 2
2

Without IGV W=u2C2u (since C1u=0)

=u2(u2-C2xCotβ 2)
= u22(1-φ 2Cotβ 2)
=u22 (for radial tip β 2=90)
Where φ is Flow Coefficient at impeller exit
φ 2=C2x / u2
Pressure Coefficient or Loading Coefficient= ψ

It is the measure of the pressure raising capacity of

various types of CG compressors of different sizes
running at different speeds.
ψ = W /u22
=C2u /u2 (without IGV)
= 1- φ 2Cotβ 2 (without IGV)
Effect of β 2 on radial impeller
Backward curved Radial Tipped Forward curved

vanes vanes vanes

c2 w2 c2 w2
c2 w2 β β
β 2
2 2

u2 u2
u2

β 2<90 β 2=90 β 2>90

C2u <u2 C2u =u2 C2u >u2

 β 2>90o (Forward curved impeller)

β 2=90o (Radial impeller)

ψ β 2<90o (Backward curved impeller)

φ
 Effect of blade configuration on Performance
• Depending upon the value of exit blade angle the head increases
or decreases with increase in flow
• Energy transfer proportional to C2u . From velocity diagram, for a
given tip velocity, u forward & radial curve blades transfer more
energy
• A wider operating range of air flow at a given rotational speed
which is important for matching the compressor to its driving
turbine.
• Backward blades give higher efficiency
• Forward and radial are smaller in size for the same duty, but have
lower efficiency
• Centrifugal compressor uses radial blades for better strength
against high speed rotation
h-s diagram of CG compressor
P02 P03 P04
h02 =h03 =h04

04ss P4
C22/2 4 lute
4s Vo
4ss P3
3
s er
3s u
Dif
Enthalpy h

3ss
P2
2
2s
eller
p
P01 im
P1

Entropy S
Specific Work
• h02=h03=h04
• Wa= h02-h01
• = 2
1
( C − C )
2
2 +
1
1
2
2
(W 1
2
)
− W22 +
2
(
1 2
u 2 − u12 )

2
(
1 2 2 1 2
) (
h2 − h1 + W1 − W2 + u 2 − u12 = 0
2
)
Stagnation Efficiency η
• Actual work input to stage
• Wa= h02-h01=u22(1-φ 2Cotβ 2)
• = Cp(T04-T01)= u22(1-φ 2Cotβ 2)
• Ideal work between 1 and 4 states is  γ −1

 γ 
• Ws= h04ss-h01=Cp(T04ss -T01)= C T ( P
p 01  ro ) − 1
   
Where Pro=Po4ss/Po1≈Po4/Po1 γ −1
Ws ho 4 ss − h01 C p (T04 ss − T01 ) C p T01 (( Pr o ) γ − 1)
= = 2 =
W
η st= a h 04 − h01 u 2 (1 − φ 2 Cot β 2 ) u 2 (1 − φ 2 Cotβ 2 )
2

γ
 u 22  γ −1
Pr o = 1 − η (1 − φ 2 Cotβ 2 ) 
 C p 01 
T 
 Degree of Reaction
Enthalpy _ Change _ in _ impeller h2 − h1
R= =
Stagnation _ Enthalpy _ Change _ in _ the _ Stage h02 − h01
1 2
2
( 2 1 2
)
h2 − h1 + W1 − W2 + u 2 − u12 = 0
2
( )
For zero swirl h02-h01=u2C2u
R=
( u 2
2 2 ) (
−W + W − u
2
1
2 2
1 )
2u 2 C 2u
Assuming constant radial velocity C1=C1x =C2x
For Zero swirl at entry C1=C1x
W12-u12=C1x 2=C2x 2
W22=C2x 2+(u2-C2u )2
=C2x 2+u22-2u2C2u +C2u 2
∴ u22-W22=2u2C2u -C2u 2-C2x 2

1  C2u 
butRC=2u1=u  2x Cotβ
− 2-C  2
2  u2 
1 1
R = + φ 2 Cotβ 2
Forzeroswirl at inle2
t 2
R β 2=60o

β 2=70o

β 2=90o
0.5

β 2=100o

0
φ