Centrifugal compressors are one of the most popular compressor types you will find in the market today. They are derived from dynamic compression based on Bernoulli’s principle wherein the relationship between pressure and velocity is inversely proportional. To put things into perspective, in a centrifugal (dynamic) compressor, a slow-flowing liquid creates more pressure than a faster-moving liquid. (refer to the centrifugal compressor performance curve on left). For a typical performance, these compressors are also known to deliver constant pressure at variable capacity. Are you interested to learn more about centrifugal compressor performance and efficiency? In this article, we shed light on various aspects, including how you can improve the energy efficiency and overall performance of your centrifugal compressor. Let’s start then.
Understanding the anatomy of a centrifugal compressor
Centrifugal compressors have an impeller disk that acts as a rotating element. The air is sucked into the centre of that impeller disk through an inlet, which is adjusted at a 90 ° angle (perpendicular) to the very eye of the disk’s centre. Interestingly, the impeller disk has curved impeller vanes, making it look like a pie. Also, around the impeller disk is a volute casing and diffuser vane. When air enters the eye of the impeller, it gets radially redirected outward due to the the impeller vanes and inertia of rotation. The rapidly-flowing low-pressure air gets pushed to the disc’s edge to enter the volute casing through the diffuser. Now, the volute casing’s expanding diameter and diffuser slow down the air, thereby increasing the pressure.
Do you want to dig deeper into centrifugal compressors? Might even buy a multistage centrifugal compressor? Here’s an exhaustive blog from Atlas Copco to answer all your queries.
Highlighting the benefits of installing a centrifugal compressor
Industries needing a lot of horsepowers daily for their applications rely on centrifugal compressors. Offering high flow with lesser energy consumption, these machines help cut down the energy requirements at your facility. Here are some other benefits of centrifugal compressor uses and installations.
- The absence of too many rubbing parts and the presence of stainless steel coolers ensure longer service intervals. Especially, these machines are water-cooled, so epoxy coated paths eliminate possibilities of corrosion. This means these compressors have lower maintenance requirements.
- Horizontal split gearbox is easily accessiable for maintenance with unique AGMA Q13 quality gears for flexibility of individual component interchangeable if needed along side, reduced mechanical losses, vibrations and lower noise levels.
- Plug & play design with simplified connections at site such as water manifolds, integrated auxillary oil lubrication system and without need for any external source of air for instrumentation.
- Superior components like servo motor controlled Inlet- Guide Vanes for optimal operaton and product reliability.
- Exclusive backward lean designer of the impeller provides operation flexibility, improving turndown ratio up to 35%.
- Compressors running on remote monitoring, operation control parameters, and mobile alerts maximise uptime.
Tips to increase centrifugal compressor performance and efficiency
Coming to the highlight of our article – tips to help improve the energy efficiency of your centrifugal compressor. We often find our customers eager to know some suggestions on energy savings and improving the overall performance curve of compressors. After all, energy conservation helps improve a business’s sustainability, cost management, and bottom line. So, here are some tips to enhance your centrifugal compressor’s performance:
- First and foremost is the right installation – Proper room ventilation plan, minimum free spacing for air circulation. Followed by compressed air piping layout for lowest pressure drops and check for leakages combined with minimum needed buffer storage capacities and suitable air treatment technology for matching your needed process air quality, like Class 0 oil free air.
- Inlet guide vanes – When a compressor works at lower load capacity, the inlet guide vane reduces power consumption for delivering the rated pressure and airflow with its whirlwind motion. With accurate servo motor controlled IGV’s, energy improvement of 9% on reduced flows. Throttling with variable inlet vanes can help save power by making sure your compressor produces the required amount of compressed air and stabilizes network pressure in high and low air demands.
- Type of control – Autodual or constant pressure control mode for cost-efficient variable demands allowing turn down of 25% before blow-off. In auto dual after blow-off valve is opened to maintain pressure for a certain time, the compressor can unload, and compressor can stop completely. While in constant pressure the compressor will continue to run and blow-off can be open indefinitely.
- Integrally geared design – Bull gear & high speed pinion arrangement. Impellers are mounted on multiple pinions and can rotate at different speeds depending on independent gear ratios. Allows for each stage impeller to rotate as at it own optimal speed. This will have a positive impact on centrifugal compressor performance.
- Analyse the load profile – Have you ever evaluated your compressor’s load profile? where there is a varied demand for air as would be for any typical factory, the centrifugal compressor will work efficiently as a based load compressor with turndown capacities of 35%. Further to this for mutilple compressor installations, a hybrid concept of centrifugal compressors combined with rotary screw VSD technology can be adapted for top line variable air demand and a central master controller Optimizer 4.0 industry standard for maximum overall system efficiency.
Do you think it’s time to purchase a new Atlas Copco centrifugal compressor? Sometimes, installing a new compressor underpinned by cutting-edge technologies can be the only solution left. In that case, you might want to read ‘What to Consider before Buying a Centrifugal Compressor’ before making a purchase decision.
Based in Sweden, Atlas Copco has proliferated into several markets, including the Middle East. Not only do we have an impressive range of advanced centrifugal compressor types, but our compressors employ cutting-edge aerodynamics and parts like milled impellers and inlet guide vanes, contributing to energy savings. We make sure your compressed air needs are met while remaining sustainable in the long run. To explore more about our products, you can contact us today.
