What are the advantages and disadvantages of centrifugal compressor

Release time：2026-01-05    Click：12

What are the advantages and disadvantages of centrifugal compressor? In petrochemical industry, natural gas transportation, air separation equipment and other industrial fields, centrifugal compressor has become the "core power" by virtue of its unique advantages. Understanding the core advantages and potential disadvantages of centrifugal compressor is the key premise for enterprises to make decision on type selection and optimize operation efficiency. Turbo-Tech will introduce the advantages and disadvantages of centrifugal compressor in detail from the perspective of practical application, and provide clear reference for industry practitioners.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of centrifugal compressor?

First, the core advantages of centrifugal compressor

1. Large flow output, suitable for mass production.

The outstanding advantage of centrifugal compressor is that it is good at handling large-flow gas, and it is suitable for industrial scenes that need continuous and large-scale gas supply (such as long-distance natural gas pipelines and large-scale chemical plants). Under rated working conditions, its efficiency is extremely high, especially the multi-stage compression design, which can convert gas kinetic energy into pressure energy through the diffuser for a long time. Compared with screw and reciprocating compressor, it can save a lot of energy and reduce operating costs for a long time, and it is the preferred equipment for "energy saving and consumption reduction".

2. Smooth operation and excellent stability.

Thanks to the symmetrical rotor structure and high-speed rotation design, the vibration of centrifugal compressor is extremely small and the noise level is lower than other types of compressors. Under the design conditions, the equipment can run continuously and stably for a long time, without the need of frequent start-up and stop, which can effectively reduce the risk of production interruption, and is especially suitable for large industrial devices with extremely high requirements for operation stability.

3. Compact structure, small floor space and convenient maintenance.

Compared with other compressors with the same power and pressure grade, the centrifugal compressor has a more compact structure and high integration of core components (impeller, spindle, diffuser, etc.), which does not need to occupy too much space and is beneficial to the layout planning of the factory.

At the same time, there are fewer vulnerable parts of the equipment, and the main maintenance focuses on the routine inspection and maintenance of lubrication system and sealing system, which makes the maintenance process simpler and can reduce the technical threshold of operation and maintenance personnel.

4. Wide application range, suitable for various gas media.

Whether it is air, nitrogen, or process gas (such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, water vapor, natural gas, low temperature flash steam, etc.), centrifugal compressor can adapt. By adjusting the impeller material and seal form (such as dry gas seal used in oil-free scene), the compression requirements of different gases can be met.

Second, the inherent limitations of centrifugal compressor

1. The actual operating flow deviates from the design value, which is prone to "surge".

When the flow rate is lower than a certain value, the gas will appear "backflow and vortex" in the impeller and diffuser, which will lead to surge-a severe unstable working condition, which will lead to intensified vibration and temperature rise of the equipment. In severe cases, it may damage the impeller, bearings and other components, or cause safety and safety accidents.

In order to avoid surge, an anti-surge control system is required.

2. The initial investment is high and it is not suitable for small and medium-sized scenes.

The core components of centrifugal compressor (such as impeller and spindle) require extremely high machining accuracy, which requires high-precision CNC machining equipment and high-quality alloy materials. At the same time, the supporting sealing system and anti-surge system are also complicated, which leads to the initial investment of equipment being significantly higher than that of compressors such as screws and pistons with the same power.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of centrifugal compressor? It is introduced that when selecting the type, enterprises should make a comprehensive judgment based on their own production scale, gas parameters (pressure and flow), medium characteristics and budget cost. If it is a large-scale project with high pressure and large flow and continuous and stable operation, the long-term value of centrifugal compressor is remarkable. If it is a scene with small flow (less than 20m3/min), large fluctuation of working conditions or limited budget, other types of compressors should be given priority.