(9) Centrifugal Compressors. This type of compressor consists of two
main parts: an impeller and a diffuser. Centrifugal compressors operate by
taking in air near the hub of the impeller and accelerating it outward by
centrifugal action. The impeller vanes guide the air toward the outer
circumference of the compressor, building up the velocity by means of the high
rotational speed of the impeller. Air leaves the impeller at high speed and
flows through a set of diffuser vanes which decelerates the flow of air,
converting highvelocity air to highpressure energy. The diffuser vanes also
serve to straighten airflow. A typical centrifugal compressor is shown in
Figure 121.
Figure 121. Centrifugal Compressor.
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