Here's how a centrifugal compressor works:
1. Intake: Air enters the compressor through an intake port.
2. Impeller: The impeller, which is a rotating disk with multiple blades, spins at high speed. As air flows through the impeller, the blades impart kinetic energy to it, accelerating the air outward.
3. Centrifugal Force: The centrifugal force generated by the spinning impeller causes the air to move radially outward.
4. Diffusion Vanes/Stator: After leaving the impeller, the high-velocity air encounters a set of diffusion vanes or a stationary component called a stator. These vanes slow down the air's tangential velocity and convert it into static pressure, resulting in an increase in air pressure.
5. Discharge: The compressed air exits the compressor through a discharge port at a higher pressure than the intake air.
Centrifugal compressors are commonly used in turbochargers due to their compact size, ability to handle large air volumes, and efficient operation at high rotational speeds. They are suitable for applications requiring moderate pressure ratios and continuous airflow, making them well-suited for automotive applications and internal combustion engines.
