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Centrifugal
compressors use a rotating disk or impeller in a
shaped housing to force the gas to the rim of the
impeller, increasing the velocity of the gas. A
diffuser (divergent duct) section converts the
velocity energy to pressure energy. They are
primarily used for continuous, stationary service in
industries such as oil refineries, chemical and
petrochemical plants and natural gas processing
plants. Their application can be from 100
hp (75 kW) to thousands of horsepower. With multiple
staging, they can achieve extremely high output
pressures greater than 10,000 psi (69 MPa).
Many large snow-making operations (like ski resorts)
use this type of compressor. They are also used in
internal combustion engines as superchargers and
turbochargers. Centrifugal compressors are used in
small gas turbine engines or as the final
compression stage of medium sized gas turbines. |
