TURBINE ENGINES

COMPRESSOR TYPES
(FAA AC 6565-12A - Powerplant Handbook)

~ The two principal types of compressors currently being used in gas turbine aircraft engines are
centrifugal flow and axial flow.
~ Much use has been made of the terms "centrifugal flow" and "axial flow" to describe the complete
engine. However, the terms are applicable only to the flow of air through the compressor.
~ In the centrifugal-flow engine, the compressor achieves its purpose by picking up the entering air
and accelerating it outwardly by centrifugal action. A single stage delivers a pressure ratio of around 5:1 &
and a two stage around 8:1. Design of the more modern centrifugal compressors sees them
approaching pressure ratios of 15:1.
~ In the axial-flow engine, the air is compressed while continuing in its original direction of flow, thus
avoiding the energy loss caused by turns. From inlet to exit the air flows along an axial path and is
compressed at a ratio of approximately 1.25:1 per stage.
The centrifugalcentrifugal-flow compressor's
compressor's advantages are:
(1) High pressure rise per stage
(2) Good efficiencies over wide rotational speed range
(3) Simplicity of manufacture, thus low cost
(4) Low weight
(5) Low starting power requirements
The centrifugalcentrifugal-flow compressor's disadvantages
disadvantages are:
(1) Large frontal area for given airflow
(2) More than two stages are not practical because of losses in turns between stages
The axialaxial-flow compressor's advantages are:
(1) High peak efficiencies
(2) Small frontal area for given airflow
(3) Straight-through flow, allowing high ram efficiency
(4) Increased pressure rise by increasing number of stages with negligible losses
The axialaxial-flow compressor's disadvantages are:
(1) Good efficiencies over only narrow rotational speed range
(2) Difficulty of manufacture and high cost
(3) Relatively high weight
(4) High starting power requirements (this has been partially overcome by multi-spool compressors)
~ From an analysis of the centrifugal and axial flow engine compressors at their present stage of
development, the axial-flow type has definite advantages. Also, the advent of the split-spool axial
compressor has made these advantages even more positive by offering greater starting flexibility and
improved high-altitude performance.