Differences Between Centrifugal and Axial Flow Compressors

Comparison between centrifugal compressor and axial flow compressors can be done in aspects like air flow direction, maintenance cost, torque requirement, multi staging suitable or not, pressure ratios conditions, frontal area, isentropic efficiency and performance at part load.

S.no
Axial Flow Compressors
1 In centrifugal compressors air flows radially in the compressor In Axial flow compressors air flows parallel to the axis of shaft
2 Low maintenance and running cost High maintenance and running cost
3 Low starting torque is required Requires high starting torque
4 Not suitable for multi staging Suitable for multi staging
5 Suitable for low pressure ratios up to 4 Suitable for only multi staging ratio of 10
6 For given mass flow rate, it requires a larger frontal area. For a given mass flow rate, it requires less Frontal area.
7 Isentropic efficiency is 80 to 82% Isentropic efficiency is 86 to 88%
8 Better performance at part load Poor performance at part load
Spread the Knowledge
https://mechanicalengineering.blog/about/

'ME Mechanical' is an online portal for mechanical engineers and engineering students. Published hundreds of articles on various engineering topics. Visit our about section to know more.

All Comments

  • In which case we can get higher pressure ratio out of centrifugal and axial flow compressor?

    HARESH JANI Feb 5, 2016 4:47 pm Reply
    • in case of axial flow compressor we can get high pressure ratio.

      kunal Apr 11, 2016 10:36 am Reply
  • thank you very much

    ganesh May 2, 2016 7:35 pm Reply
  • explanation is clear and easy.

    Senthil velavan.s Aug 4, 2016 9:06 am Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.