Compressor Performance: centrifugal
Centrifugal, reciprocating, and rotary screw compressor typical performance envelopes — polytropic and adiabatic efficiency, head per stage, pressure ratio, speed range, and turndown by compressor type and flow range
| compressor type | flow range | adiabatic efficiency pct (%) | flow max acfm (acfm) | flow min acfm (acfm) | head per stage ft (ft) | notes | polytropic efficiency pct (%) | pressure ratio per stage max (dimensionless) | pressure ratio per stage min (dimensionless) | speed rpm max (rpm) | speed rpm min (rpm) | turndown pct (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| centrifugal | large | 81 | 500,000 | 50,000 | 25,000 | Large frame centrifugal (pipeline/process); polytropic efficiency 80-87%; variable inlet guide vanes improve turndown | 83 | 2.2 | 1.3 | 8,000 | 1,800 | 70 |
| centrifugal | medium | 78 | 50,000 | 5,000 | 20,000 | Medium frame centrifugal; polytropic efficiency 78-84%; turndown to 70% with variable inlet guide vanes | 80 | 2 | 1.3 | 12,000 | 3,000 | 70 |
| centrifugal | small | 75 | 5,000 | 500 | 10,000 | Centrifugal: continuous flow dynamic compression. Turndown ~70% before surge with antisurge recycle. Head 10000-30000 ft/stage. Polytropic efficiency 75-85%. ICFM 500-5000 acfm small frame. | 77 | 1.8 | 1.2 | 15,000 | 3,600 | 70 |
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