Compressor Performance: screw
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 (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| screw | large | 75 | 200,000 | 20,000 | 0 | Large rotary screw compressor; 20000-200000 acfm; oil-flooded or dry; slide valve unloading — turndown to 50% capacity; adiabatic efficiency 70-80%; high-volume process and pipeline gas service; API 619 specifies design and acceptance testing; VFD integration extends effective turndown further | 77 | 4.5 | 1.5 | 3,000 | 600 | 50 |
| screw | medium | 73 | 20,000 | 2,000 | 0 | Medium screw compressor; adiabatic efficiency 70-80%; slide valve turndown 50-100% capacity | 75 | 5 | 1.5 | 4,000 | 1,200 | 50 |
| screw | small | 70 | 2,000 | 100 | 0 | Rotary screw (oil-flooded or dry): positive displacement with sliding valve unloading. Turndown to 50% with slide valve. Adiabatic efficiency 65-78%. | 72 | 4.5 | 1.5 | 6,000 | 2,400 | 50 |
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