Centrifugal Compressor

An impeller is attached to a rotating shaft within a cylindrical housing. Gas drawn into the housing near the centre, is then thrown towards the perimeter.

The imparted velocity of the gas causes a pressure rise and flow. Multi-stage machines direct the gas back to the centre of the next stage. Differs from centrifugal blower in that pressure containment housing is much stronger.

Two main layouts are Integrally Geared type, where several stages are mounted radially on a central speed increaser gearbox, and Barrel type, where stages are all mounted on a single shaft.