Capacity Control of

Centrifugal Compressor

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It is used for the following reasons:
1. Process flow control.
2. fuel/power efficiency.
3. Pressure regulation.
Capacity can be changed in several ways:
1. Speed control.
2. Suction throttling.
3. Variable inlet guide vane.
 1. Speed control
• It is the most widely used.
• Gas turbines and steam turbines were among the best
options that offered energy-efficient throughput
variation.
• Both driver types allow speed control over a fairly
wide operating range.
• Also electric variable speed motors offers a
continuation to the speed control practice.
• Variable frequency drive motors have joined turbines
as a viable option.
1. Speed control
1. Speed control
 1. Speed control
• Variable speed electric motor drivers are produced in
sizes up to, and even exceeding, 100 MW.
• They offer similar flexibility and part-load efficiency
as gas and steam turbines.
• The trend is toward more variable speed drive motor
applications because of the simplicity and relative
cleanliness of these installations.
• Also, variable speed electric motors tend to require
less maintenance than other variable speed drives.
 2. Suction throttling

• It represents another capacity turn- down option.

• This is mainly achieved by reducing the inlet
pressure, which in turn reduces weight flow and,
therefore, reduces power demand.
• As with the other options, precautions must be taken
to keep the compressor away from surge.
Pressure rise Surge line
P Closing the valve

∆P
Choke limit

Q part load Flow rate Q

 3. Variable Inlet Guide Vane (IGV)
• The movable inlet guide vane adds pre-whirl to the
gas stream entering the impeller, which in turn,
reduces the axial component of the absolute velocity,
which controls the capacity to the impeller.
m · = ρ * A * C1
• By modifying the inlet whirl component, the capacity
is reduced with little loss in efficient.
 3. Variable Inlet Guide Vane
• It is more efficient than the previous method, which
can be adjusted over a wider range
• The largest problem with the use of movable inlet
guide vanes is the danger of the vanes. Obviously, the
vanes are not suitable for dirty or fouling gas service.
• It would be most effective on single stage
compressors.
• It can be used on multi-stage compressors, but it can
only be installed in front of the first impeller. If the
compressor has a complex arrangement, the concept
is not practical.
 A dvantage & Disadvantage

Speed control
• Wide control range.
• Expensive.

Suction throttling
• Reasonable control range.
• low cost.

Inlet guide vane control
• Little loss in efficiency.
• Suitable only for single stage or few stage compressors.
• Not suitable for dirty or fouling service.
 R eference
• Compressor and modern process application
• Compressors selection and sizing , 3rd Edition
• Compressor handbook