 The need to move gases has been a

requirement of industry.In virtually all

systems that require the movement of gas,
there must be a means of producing a
driving force, the higher pressure. The
equipment that raises a gas to a higher
pressure is called a compressor.
 Pressure in gas is developed by pressing
molecules of gas.
FAN AND BLOWER
 Low pressure (1 atm)
and low ∆ P (0.01-
0.15 kg/cm2) for FAN.
 Blower ∆ P (0.15-1.5
kg/cm2)
 High volume flow to
500 std m3/s
 Efficiencies of 65-80%
Principle of operation:-
(a) Compression by decreasing volume:-
 Required pressure is developed by trapping a gas in a
chamber, reducing the volume of the chamber and
increasing the pressure of the gas by the ratio of initial
chamber to the final volume.

(b) Compression by accelerating fluid :-

 The second method of compressing gases is based on
the conversion of kinetic energy into the potential
energy. Accelerating fluid to a higher velocity and then
decelerating it by changing its direction of flow
transforms the accumulated energy into potential energy
Classification of Compressors:-
 DATA REQUIRED FOR SELECTION OF
COMPRESSOR:

 Capacity
 Suction pressure
 Suction temperature
 Discharge pressure
 Gas composition
 Type of driver
 Utilities like cooling water, steam, N2,
electricity etc.
 Selection results in calculation
 Type of compressor
 Number of casing / phases
 Number of impellers in each phase
 Speed of compressor
 Compressor BKW
 Driver rating
 Operating range
Application Range of Various
Compressors
105
Discharge Pressure (Psia)

104

103
Centrifugal
102
Axial

101
Reciprocating

102 103 104 105 106

Inlet Flow (Acfm)
CENTRIFUGAL COMPRESSORS:
 Centrifugal compressor works on the principle i.e.
accelerating a gas to a high velocity and converting its
KINETIC ENERGY (velocity) into POTENTIAL
ENERGY (pressure) by decelerating the gas. The gas
enters the eye of the impeller and is accelerated to the
outward edge of the impeller as it rotates. It then enters
a diffuser where its direction is changed, causing
deceleration. This deceleration converts the KE into the
PE, pressure. If the gas is to be further compressed,
then a return chamber directs it from the diffuser to the
eye of the next impeller in series. The gas enters a
collector or volute when it is to leave the compression
stage. It is discharged to the process through a
discharge nozzle.
DESIGN FEATURES:-
 Based on the type of casing design,centrifugal compressors are classified
into two types:

1) Horizontally split casing design(MCL/MCH type):- This design is used

for low working pressure below 40ata.These casings are in two halves with
horizontal parting plane.
DMCL Compressor have two stages of compression in parallel in a single
casing.The solution is most balanced.The other aspects of construction are
the same as for the MCL Compressor.

2) Verically Split Casing design (BCL/BCH type):-This design is made of

barrel construction closed on the sides by end covers with help of
studs.This type of construction is suitable for high pressure operations upto
750kg/cm2
Another type of compressor is the PCL(Pipeline compressor),which has
casing in the form of a cup with a single closing flange in the vertical plane
instead of two as with the BCL.
Horizontally split type
Compressor
Vertically Split Type Compressor
Example of Designation of BCL
Compressor:
Example : 2BCL407/b
2 BCL 40 7 / b

Pr. rating (up to 350 ata)

No. Of impellers
(7 impellers on rotor)

Nominal dia. of impeller

(Impeller dia. of 40 cms appx.)
Constructional feature
(Barrel design)
Functional feature
(2 Compressor stages in series)
 Compressor Components
 Casing
 Counter Casing (If Applicable)
 Diaphragm
 End Cover (If Applicable)
 Shaft
 Impellers
 Shaft Seals
 Journal Bearing
 Thrust Bearing
 Coupling
COMPONENETS OF BCL
COMPRESSOR
Construction of centrifugal compressor:

 Every centrifugal compressor consist of

two parts:- An impeller which forces the
gas into the rotary motion by the action of
blades, and the casing which directs the
gas to the eye of the impeller and then
leads it away from the impeller perimeter
at a higher pressure. For most multistage
compressors, shaft end seals are located
inboard of the bearings. The internal
passages are formed by a set of
diaphragms.
Cross-section of a BCL
Compressor
BARREL PULLING
ARRANGEMENT
Rotor Assembly
Assembly of Diaphragms in
Counter Casing
Assembly of Journal Bearing
Assembly of Thrust Bearing
 BALANCING DRUM
There exists some amount of thrust generated at each
impeller because of the differntial pressure prevailing across
it. The cumulative thrust generated across all the impellers
is huge and it needs to be supported by the thrust bearing.
The thrust bearing size becomes huge if all the gas thrust
has to act on the bearing. For this purpose a rotating
element called “Balancing Drum” is incorporated on the
rotor. The drum is acted upon by a pressure differential
which pushes the rotor in a direction opposite to that of the
gas thrust. The thrust so generated balances the thrust
produced by the impellers. Amount of balancing depends
upon the size of the drum and pressure differential created
across it. The pressure differentiated is maintained by an
efficient seal placed over the balancing drum.
 Types of Compressor End
Sealing Systems
 Labyrinth Sealing
 Floating Oil Seals
 Oil Mechanical Seals
 Air Injection Sealing System
 Injection / Extraction Sealing
 Dry Gas Seals
 Compressor Drives

 STEAM TURBINE
 For variable speed operation
 In process plants like fertilizers and refineries
 ELECTRIC MOTOR
 For constant speed operation
 Wherein uninterrupted electricity from captive power
plants is ensured
 GAS TURBINE
 For variable speed operation
 Applications where gas availability is ensured
 Advantages of Centrifugal
Compressors
 High degree of balancing
 Pulsation free delivery
 Easy maintenance
 Standby not required
 Best suited for part load operations
 Lower noise level
 Compact
 Industrial Applications of
Centrifugal Compressors
Type of Plant Gas Compressed
Fertilisers Syn Gas, NH3, Air, Nat gas, CO2, Nitrogen

Refineries Air, Wet Gas, Hydrogen

Petrochemical Plants Propane, Propylene,
Ethylene.
Metallurgical Plants O2, Air, Gas