Centrifugal Compressor Design Considerations

Initial design considerations of centrifugal compressor are commonly performed with experience base, although computer technology and numerical methods had made significantly progress. Three-dimensional Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) codes are still not major design tools for centrifugal compressors. Major design systems for industrial centrifugal compressor design are largely based on one-dimensional meanline and two-dimensional through flow tools. The experience of designers is one of the key factors to drive design success. The impeller is one of the key components of a centrifugal compressor stage. Design of the impeller is critical to the success of compressor stage design. Basic sizing information to establish the initial parameters can save development time for industrial centrifugal compressor development. The diffuser plays an important role in the compressor operating range. A poorly designed diffuser reduces compressor operating range and stage efficiency. The volute design impacts the compressor performance and bearing life. For successful design all compressor components, the design experience is one of a key factor to make design success. This paper presents author’s design experience for centrifugal compressors. The discussions and information on compressor design considerations in open literature are also reviewed. The purpose of the paper is to serve as a part of compressor design experience database for young engineers and college students in order to reduce their training time to become compressor designers.