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What is a Centrifugal
Compressor? | How does a
Centrifugal Compressor work?
by Engineer Waqar

Waste Heat
Recovery
Fidelity Radcore Heat Exchangers (M)
Sdn Bhd

Fidelity Radcore

Table of Contents
1. What is a Centrifugal Compressor?
2. Centrifugal Compressor Working
Principle
3. Centrifugal Compressor Parts
3.0.1. 1) Rotor or Impeller
3.0.2. 2) Casing or Housing
3.0.3. 3) Diffuser
3.0.4. 4) Collector
3.0.5. 5) Impeller Blades
3.0.6. 6) Inlet and Outlet Ports
4. Types of Centrifugal Compressors
4.1.  1. Single-stage Compressor
4.1.1. i) Overhung single-stage
compressors
4.1.2. ii) Integrally geared single-
stage compressors
4.2. 2. Multistage-stage Compressor
4.2.1. i) Horizontally split casing
compressor
4.2.2. ii) Vertically split casing
compressors
4.2.3. iii) Compressor with bell
casing
4.2.4. iv) Pipeline compressor
4.2.5. v) Integrally geared
multistage compressors
5. Advantages and Disadvantages of
Centrifugal Compressor
5.1. Advantages of Centrifugal
Compressors
5.2. Disadvantages of Centrifugal
Compressors
6. Applications of Centrifugal
Compressors
7. Difference Between Centrifugal
Compressor and Centrifugal Pump
8. Difference between Centrifugal
Compressor and Reciprocating
Compressor
9. FAQ Section
9.1. What is Surging in Centrifugal
Compressor?
9.2. What are centrifugal
compressors used for?
9.3. Who Invented the Centrifugal
Compressor?

Compressors are machines used to

compress and transfer fluids (i.e., air
or gas) from one place to other.
There are multiple types of
compressors, and a centrifugal
compressor is one of them.
Centrifugal compressors are most
widely used all over the world. The
main reason is that the construction
of these compressors is very easy. In
this article, I will explain the
different aspects of the centrifugal air
compressor including, its working
principle, types, and components. 

What is a Centrifugal
Compressor?
A centrifugal compressor is a
mechanical device that
compresses a fluid with the help
of the impeller’s radial
acceleration, which is
surrounded by the compressor
housing.

In a centrifugal compressor, the air

or gas enters axially in the impeller
and discharges radially. Therefore, it
is also called a radial compressor.

In the centrifugal compressor, the

impeller increases the speed of the
working fluid (gas or air) by
converting the kinetic energy of the
air/gas into speed. But the diffuser
further converts the speed of the air
or gas into pressure energy.

Radial centrifugal compressors have

a higher pressure ratio at a low flow
rate which is the major advantage
over axial compressors.

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A centrifugal compressor is a device

where a specific vapor or specific gas
compresses with the help of the
compressor impeller. These
compressors may arrange in multiple
stages if you want high compressed
gas. You can increase the pressure of
the compressed gas by increasing the
number of stages of the compressor.

Depending on the requirements of

the pressure for different functions,
several stages can be connected in
series to attain the required pressure.
These multi-stage compressors use
for applications in the processing,
gas & oil industries. On the other
hand, sewage treatment plants use
single-stage low-pressure
applications to attain the required
pressure ratio.

In these compressors, the speed

increases with the help of an impeller
that provides kinetic energy to the
gas or air. Then, when the flow rate
by the diffuser decreases, this kinetic
energy converts into the velocity of
the fluid. Then diffuser converts this
velocity into an increase in pressure
energy. 

Centrifugal Compressor
Working Principle
The centrifugal compressor working
principle is a little bit different than a
reciprocating compressor.

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A centrifugal compressor works in

the following way:

At the start-up, the air

introduces from the air tank or
any other source into the
centrifugal compressor.
After entering the compressor,
the air strikes the impeller.
This impeller has multiple
radial blades that rotate with
the rotation of the impeller. 
As the air strikes the radial
blades of the impeller, the air
pushes by centrifugal force
into the center of the impeller.
After striking, the impeller
blades provide kinetic energy
to the air; due to that, its speed
(velocity) increases.
After passing through the
impeller, the air enters the
diffuser area. This diffuser has
stationary vans. After entering
the diffuser area, the speed or
velocity of the flow of the air
starts decreasing.
According to Bernoulli’s
principle, the velocity square is
inversely proportional to
pressure. The volute casing or
diffuser converts the increased
velocity of the air into pressure
energy before the air is drawn
into the impeller center. In
most conditions, the increase
in the impeller’s pressure will
roughly equal the increase in
diffuser pressure.

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Actually, the diffuser is a static

(stationary) part of the compressor
that accompanies the flow of air as it
exits the rotor. This speed slowdown
eventually leads to a further rise in
pressure.

The diffuser and the impeller account

for approximately 35% and 65% of
the total pressure generated by the
compressor.   The centrifugal
compressor strongly affects the air
compression process.

For a better understanding,

watch the below-given video:

How Does a Centrifug…

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Do you know: How does a

Reciprocating Compressor
work?

Centrifugal Compressor
Parts
There are four main components of
the centrifugal air compressor that
are given below:

1. Impeller
2. Casing
3. Diffuser
4. Inlet and Outlet valves/ports
5. Collector 

1) Rotor or Impeller
The rotor or impeller is one of the
most important parts of a centrifugal
compressor. A centrifugal air
compressor impeller or rotor is a disc
with a key assembly attached to the
shaft of the compressor. Different
numbers of curved blades attach to
this disc.

These blades provide a diffusion

channel for the working gas or the
air. The numbers of these curved
blades vary from about 15 to 20 in a
single impeller of the centrifugal
compressor.

The impeller of the compressor gives

speed or velocity to the air or gas
through the vans attached to the
rotating disk. These blades can be
tilted backward, radially, or forwards
depending on the required
performance. Most multi-stage
compressors use backward sloping
blades for maximum efficiency.

2) Casing or Housing
The above-given centrifugal
compressor components (given in
the schematic diagram) are mostly
protected by a housing. Basically, the
housing is a tight way of the air ( or
any other fluid) around the impeller.

The casing is designed in such a way

that the air kinetic energy discharges
at the impeller’s discharge port but
this kinetic energy converts into
pressure before the air exits the
housing. The housing consists of
several bearings that support the
rotor axially and radially. It makes of
steel or cast iron.

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The housing has two main types:

1. Vertically splits
2. Horizontally splits

3) Diffuser
The impeller sends the air into the
diffuser channel at very high speeds.
This diffuser normally affects the two
walls that make up the radial
channel. These arrangements slow
down the air or gas and convert
dynamic pressure to static pressure.

The diffuser channel is a small space

between adjacent membranes that
normally rotate the air flow 180
degrees to guide it to the next
runner. This is a centrifugal
compressor component before the
outlet section. After the diffuser
section, the air or gas goes into the
collector.

4) Collector
After the diffuser, the air or the gas is
collected and directed toward the
outlet section. The component uses
to accumulate the air or gas emitted
by the diffuser is known as a
collector. It also knows as a scroll or
a volute.

A collector can also have valves and

other devices for controlling the
compressor. The collector is the last
component of the centrifugal
compressor. A delivery pipe connects
with the collector from where the
pressurized air or any other fluid
discharges and transfers to desired
location or section.

5) Impeller Blades
These blades connect with the
impeller rotation. The main objective
of these blades is to provide kinetic
energy to the working fluid and
increases its speed. 

Read More: Types of Positive

displacement Compressors

6) Inlet and Outlet Ports

The inlet port of the compressor uses
to suck the air or gas inside the
compressor. In contrast, the outlet
port uses to discharge the
pressurized air or gas. 

Types of Centrifugal
Compressors
Centrifugal compressor has the
following major types: 

1. Single-stage compressor
2. Multi-stage compressor

 The working principle of these

compressors is the same but their
construction is a little bit different from
each other.

1. Single-stage
Compressor
A single-stage compressor has a
single runner that moves air or gas in
pressure ratios of up to 3:1 for pressure
or vacuum work. It is believed that
these types of compressors have a
beam structure or a suspended
impeller arrangement.

In this type of compressor, the impeller

is at the shaft’s non-driving. One of the
main advantages of these compressors
over multistage compressors is that
they offer high efficiency and the
produced gas is completely surge-free
and oil-free.

single stage compressor

 The single-stage compressor also has

the following further types:

i) Overhung single-stage
compressors
In this compressor, the impeller locates
on the shaft’s non-driven end (outside
of the radial bearing on the non-drive
end). These compressors have axial
flow suction nozzles that offer a wider
working range and superior efficiency.

These centrifugal compressors are

primarily designed for high-flow and
low-head applications. The flow of the
compressor is regulated by butterfly
valves, suction/discharge valves, or
inlet guide blades.

Read More: Working of Single

Stage Compressor

ii) Integrally geared single-

stage compressors
This single-stage compressor with an
This single-stage compressor with an
integrated gearbox has a suspended
semi-open impeller. The overhung
impeller is located directly on the
gearbox’s high-speed shaft.

It can process gas flow rates of equal to

300,000 m³/h, delivery pressures of
up to 50 bar, and pressure ratios of up
to 3.5. These compressors are used for
dealing services with clean process air
or gas.

Integrally geared compressor

2. Multistage-stage
Compressor
The multi-stage compressor consists of
1 to 10 impellers and can arrange
according to various flow path
patterns. In each stage, it is assumed
that the compression ratio and the
temperature are constant.

These compressors can be settled in

dual-flow, compound, and straight-
through arrangements. This
compressor also considers to have a
beam-type design, but the runner is
located between the radial bearings.

multi stage compressor

 Multi-stage compressors also

have the following major types:

i.Integrally geared compressors

ii.Pipeline compressor
iii.Compressors with bell casing
iv. Vertically split casing
compressors
v. Horizontally split casing
compressors

i) Horizontally split
casing compressor
In a compressor with a horizontally
split casing, the cylindrical casing or
housing divides into two parts:

 Lower halve
Upper halve

The advantage of these types is that the

maintenance of the internal parts can
be completed by just removing the
upper part. Due to this, most of the
pipe connections, except for the main
process I/O connections, are shown in
the lower part. The key process in/out
connections are best used in the lower
half, but can also be used in the upper
half.

These types of centrifugal compressors

have high reliability as well as high
efficiency. These have an easy design.
The horizontal split casing compressors
use for the applications such as
metallurgy, mining, chemical, and oil &
gas industries.

Read More: Types of Positive

displacement Compressors

ii) Vertically split casing

compressors
The vertically split housing compressor
consists of a closed cylinder with two
end caps (also known as a barrel). The
benefit of the vertically split joint is
that it has high-pressure resistance
because of its one-piece structure with
conventionally tested flange seals at
both ends.

These compressors use for food,

energy, and oil & gas industries. These
also use for offshore platforms. 

iii) Compressor with bell

casing
This is a vertical split or barrel
compressor. At high pressure, this
compressor has a bell-shaped housing
that is closed with shear rings instead
of screws.

iv) Pipeline compressor

They have a bell-shaped housing with a
single vertical end cap. Mostly, these
compressors use to transport natural
gas. These typically have side inlet and
outlet nozzles that are located in
opposite directions to simplify
installation in a natural gas pipeline.
Axial inlets can also use if the pressure
ratio permits for a single runner.

These compressors generally design to

control pressure up to 100 bar. The
pipeline compressor has a high
capability to control a proper flow of at
high efficiency. These have a high flow
rate and low compression ratio.

v) Integrally geared
multistage compressors
This centrifugal air compressor is
usually used for high-flow/low-
pressure or low-flow / high-pressure
applications. This compressor has large
gears and 1 to 4 high-speed pinions.
You can attach one or two impellers to
each pinion shaft.

Advantages and
Disadvantages of
Centrifugal Compressor
The advantages and disadvantages of
the centrifugal compressor are given
below:

Advantages of
Centrifugal Compressors
At a low flow rate, it offers a
high-pressure ratio.
These compressors are easy to
design as compared to positive
displacement compressors.
These are more reliable than
reciprocating or rotary
compressors.
They don’t need any particular
foundation.
These compressors are oil-free
in nature.

Disadvantages of
Centrifugal Compressors
1. The centrifugal compressor is
less flexible than positive
displacement compressors. 
2. These have cavitation
problems.
3. It doesn’t have the self-
priming capability. 
4. They operate at relatively high
speeds and require
clarification or long-term
installation.

Applications of
Centrifugal Compressors
1. Centrifugal compressors are
most commonly used with gas
turbines.
2. They are used in automotive
engines.
3. These compressors are used in
superchargers.
4. They are employed in chemical
plants, petrochemical plants,
natural gas processing, and oil
refineries plants.
5. It uses in air separation plants
to manufacture purified end-
product gases.
6. Pipeline compressors transfer
natural gas from the workshop
to the consumer.

Difference Between
Centrifugal Compressor and
Centrifugal Pump
The working principle of the
centrifugal pump and
centrifugal compressor is almost
the same. The main difference is that
the pump uses to pump different
liquids from one place to another
places while the compressor uses to
compress the gases or air. 

Read More: Working of

Centrifugal Pump

Difference between
Centrifugal Compressor
and Reciprocating
Compressor

Reciprocating Centrifugal
Compressor Compressor

Air is drawn
Air is drawn in between the
different chambers. blades of an
impeller.

In this type,
Pressure is variable. pressure remains
constant.

These compressors
It delivers
cant deliver
pulsating free
pulsating free flow
flow rate.
rate.

Axial and radial

Single-acting and
compressors are
double-acting
examples of
compressors its
centrifugal
examples.
compressors.

It is less efficient
It is more
than the centrifugal
efficient.
compressor.

This dynamic
It has less
compressor has
reliability.
more reliability.

Mass flow rate

Mass flow rate and and inlet
intake temperature temperature
do not affect directly affect the
performance. performance of
the compressor.

The velocity of
The velocity of fluid
fluid must be
need not be high.
high.

The fluid
Fluid is directly provides kinetic
imparted into energy which
pressure energy. converts into
pressure energy.

A reciprocating Centrifugal
compressor compressor
increases the compresses the
pressure of air by air by transfer of
reducing its energy from a
volume.  rotating impeller.

It has a high initial It has a low initial

cost. cost.

This compressor
requires high It needs a low
maintenance costs maintenance
than a centrifugal cost.
compressor.

These compressors These have

don’t have cavitation
cavitation problems. problems.

A reciprocating
It needs low
compressor requires
maintenance.
high maintenance.

FAQ Section

What is Surging in
Centrifugal Compressor?

A surge is a working stage at

which the maximum head
capacity and the lowest flow
limit of the centrifugal
compressor are reached.
Actually, during the operation
of the centrifugal compressor,
the impeller blades increase
the kinetic energy of the fluid.
As a result, this fluid slows
down by the volute casing or
diffuser, and this process is
known as plenum. During the
plenum process, the kinetic
energy of the fluid converts
into pressure energy and
increases the fluid pressure.
When the plenum pressure on
the back of the compressor is
more than the outlet pressure
of the compressor, the fluid
inclines to inverse or even
moves backward inside the
compressor. Due to this, the
inlet pressure starts
increasing, the plenum
pressure starts decreasing,
and the fluid flows back again.
This mechanism is known as
the surge.

What are centrifugal

compressors used for?

It uses for the compression

of gases.
It uses in the chemical,
food, and oil & gas
industries.
Centrifugal compressors are
also commonly used in oil
refineries.
These are used in the
superchargers.

Who Invented the Centrifugal

Compressor?

In 1905, the centrifugal

compressor was invented by
Professor Auguste
Rateau.

In this article, we deeply discussed

the centrifugal compressor and its
working principle.  I hope that after
reading this article, you will be clear
about everything related to this topic.
If you have any queries in your mind
then feel free and contact me without
any hesitation. I will try my best to
get you back as soon as possible with
your answer.

Read More
1. What are the types of
Compressors?
2. How does a Centrifugal Pump
work?
3. How does a Positive
Displacement Compressor
Work?
4. How does an Axial Centrifugal
Compressor Work?

8 thoughts on “What is a
Centrifugal Compressor?
| How does a Centrifugal
Compressor work?”

Kami gurmani
January 3, 2021 at 3:12 pm

Good thanku

Reply

Going Here
July 19, 2021 at 12:46 am

magnificent submit, very

informative. I wonder why the
opposite specialists of this
sector do not understand this.
You must proceed your writing.
I’m confident, you have a great
readers’ base already!

Reply

canopy
August 25, 2021 at 5:22 am

What’s ᥙp, after reading thiѕ

aѡesome piece of writing i am
too cheerful
to sharе my expеrience here
with colleagues.

Reply

Trinidad Hokenson
December 14, 2021 at 2:17 am

Thanks for sharing.

Reply

Engineer Waqar
December 14, 2021 at 3:39 am

Welcome

Reply

cybrnetic_cat
December 20, 2021 at 3:42 am

Thx so much !! Appreciate the

useful information.

Reply
 Muhammad shoaib
January 10, 2022 at 5:35 am

Hello dear,
I want more information
centrifugal compressor.

Reply

Engineer Waqar
January 10, 2022 at 10:04 am

Hi
Which more information do
you want?
Plz elaborate

Reply

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