The centrifugal air compressor is a compressor that depends on the transfer of energy from a rotating impeller to the air.
A Centrifugal air compressors produce high-pressure discharge by the conversion of angular momentum imparted by the rotating impeller or dynamic displacement. In order to do this efficiently, centrifugal compressors rotate at a higher speeds than any of the other air compressor types. The centrifugal air compressor is an oil free air compressor by design. Centrifugal air compressor types are designed to produce higher capacities because the flow of air through the air compressor is somewhat continuous. The oil lubricated running gears are separated from the air by a shaft seal and some atmospheric vents.
The capacity of a centrifugal compressor is most commonly adjusted through the inlet guide vanes by closing the guide vanes, volume metric flow and as a result capacity is reduced.
