How Does A Centrifugal Compressor Work?

Turbo centrifugal compressors are used to elevate gas pressure for several reasons including the transmission of gas in a pipeline; the reinjection of gas in a formation to improve oil production; and to facilitate a chemical process. Their contributions eventually lead to the production of a specific end product such as gasoline, plastics, chemicals or fertilizer, to name a few. Outlined here is a typical syn gas centrifugal compressor and the processes that take place within it.

2-5 are repeated at the other stages until the 6. Steps required discharge pressure is achieved.

the recycle gas inlet of 7. At this syn gas compressor, the make up gas is joined with the recycle gas.

return bend and return channel removes 5. The the tangential velocity component from the gas (deswirls) and facilitates delivery of the gas to the second stage impeller at optimum conditions.

side stream plenum area 8. The allows the make up gas and the recycle gas to mix and enter the recycle impeller.

diffuser 4. The continues to change the kinetic energy of the gas (velocity) into potential energy (pressure).

recycle impeller 9. The accelerates both the make up gas and the recycle gas, imparting velocity and pressure.

Connects to driver

first stage impeller, 3. The which is attached to the shaft, rotates at a high speed, accelerating the gas and imparting kinetic energy to the gas in the form of velocity, and potential energy in the form of pressure.

final diffuser and 10.The discharge volute continue to convert velocity into pressure and prepare the gas for return to the customer's process through the discharge nozzle.

inlet wall and inlet guide vane 2. The distribute gas flow evenly to the first stage impeller.

the inlet, low pressure gas 1. At enters from the customer's process.

gas leaves the compressor at the discharge nozzle and 11. The returns to the customer's process.

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