The State Of The Art Of High Speed Overhung Centrifugal Compressors For The Process Industry

Abstract

Advances in 3-D finite element stress analysis, as well as powerful analytical technique in rotor dynamics and bearing analysis using high speed digital computers, have created the environment to build process centrifugal compressors with steel impellers running at top speed in excess of 1500 fps. At these tip speeds the centrifugal compressor is capable of producing adiabatic heads of up to 45,000 ft. in a single stage at good efficiency and range. The intent of this paper is to enumerate the advantages of the high speed gear driven single stage overhung centrifugal compressor as well as to indicate its limitations for application in the process industry. This paper discusses the various aspects of the aerodynamic components and performance as well as the mechanical features which are required to make this type of machine competitive with the multi-stage centrifugal compressor from the standpoint of reliability with excellent efficiency at lower cost.