Scribd
Upload
291 views

Centrifugal Compressor Power Calculation

This document provides step-by-step instructions for calculating the power requirement of a centrifugal compressor using three different methods: 1) using adiabatic head, 2) using polytropic head, and 3) using a process simulator. The example calculations produce similar results around 0.594 horsepower for the first two methods and 0.589 horsepower from the simulator. The document emphasizes using adiabatic efficiency calculated from specific speed for more accurate results.

Uploaded by

Dibyendu Nath
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
291 views

Centrifugal Compressor Power Calculation

This document provides step-by-step instructions for calculating the power requirement of a centrifugal compressor using three different methods: 1) using adiabatic head, 2) using polytropic head, and 3) using a process simulator. The example calculations produce similar results around 0.594 horsepower for the first two methods and 0.589 horsepower from the simulator. The document emphasizes using adiabatic efficiency calculated from specific speed for more accurate results.

Uploaded by

Dibyendu Nath
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 4

ANSI Tru o Pumps, Inc

Wide range of centrifugal process pumps, nd exactly what you are


looking for.
Tru o Pumps, Inc.

To calculate centrifugal compressor power, we need these gas properties: compressibility factor (Z),
molecular weight (MW), inlet gas temperature, inlet gas pressure, outlet gas pressure, adiabatic component
(Cp/Cv), and mass ow rate.

Let’s start with an example while I show you step-by-step of the calculation method. In this example, we have
these gas properties (I use US units).

Compressibility factor (Z) = 0.9972

Molecular weight (MW) = 18.15

Gas constant (R) = 1544/molecular weight

Inlet temperature (T1)  = 546 deg R

Inlet pressure (P1) = 15 psia (don’t forget to use absolute pressure)

Outlet pressure (P2) = 60 psia

K (Cp/Cv) = 1,274

Flow (W) = 0,184 lb/min

The required data to calculate centrifugal compressor power is head. We can use either adiabatic head or
polytropic head as long as we use adiabatic e ciency and polytropic e ciency in companion.

In this example, we will calculate power requirement by using adiabatic head, polytropic head, and by
process simulator. We want to know if those methods give the same results or not.

Centrifugal Compressor Power Calculation using Adiabatic Head


To calculate adiabatic head and power we use equation below.
(https://missrifka.com/calculation/centrifugal-
compressor-power-
calculation.html/attachment/centrifugal-
compressor-power-calculation)

Adiabatic head and centrifugal compressor


power calculation

From the data above, adiabatic head (Had) is 74,808.54 ft.lbf/lbm.

To calculate power, we need adiabatic e ciency (Ea). Adiabatic e ciency is function of type of compressor,
rpm, volumetric ow, and adiabatic head. We can determine adiabatic e ciency by using gure below.

(https://missrifka.com/calculation/centrifugal-compressor-power-
calculation.html/attachment/adiabatic-e ciency)

Adiabatic e ciency
Figure above shows that for centrifugal compressor, adiabatic e ciency is ranging from 60% to 80%. For
preliminary calculation we choose 70% adiabatic e ciency.

By using the second equation, we get power requirement is 0.594 hp.

Centrifugal Compressor Power Calculation using Polytropic Head


To calculate power by using polytropic head, we need polytropic e ciency. Polytropic e ciency is a
function of adiabatic e ciency. Relationship between those e ciency is expressed in equation below.

(https://missrifka.com/calculation/centrifugal-compressor-power-
calculation.html/attachment/relationship-between-adiabatic-e cienct-
and-polytropic-e ciency)

Relationship between adiabatic e ciency and polytropic e ciency

From equation above, we get polytropic e ciency is 73.99%. Please note you can change (N-1)/N with (K-
1)/KEp.

To calculate polytropic head and power using polytropic data, use equation below.

(https://missrifka.com/calculation/centrifugal-
compressor-power-
calculation.html/attachment/centrifugal-
compressor-power-calculation-using-polytropic-
head)

Centrifugal Compressor Power Calculation using


Polytropic head
By using the equation, we get polytropic head is 79,075.11 ft lbf/lbm. And power requirement is 0.594 hp,
which is exactly the same as previous method.

Centrifugal Compressor Power Calculation using Process Simulator


By using process simulator, we get power requirement 0.589 hp, which is slightly below calculation. But
overall, the method is correct.

I think I spend too much time calculating power requirement using both adiabatic approach and polytropic
approach. So, it is better to use adiabatic approach only if you are sure enough with the calculation.

Publish Your Book Today


Ad Start publishing with the A+ and
Ad #1-rated self-publishing firm…
OutskirtsPress.com

Open

One thing that you might need to correct is adiabatic e ciency. In this example, I guessed adiabatic
e ciency. It will be more accurate if you calculate speci c speed to get exact value of adiabatic e ciency
based on graph.

References:

1. Rules of thumb of Chemical Engineers – Carl Brannan


2. Perry’s Chemical Engineers’ Handbook

(https://missrifka.com/equipment (https://missrifka.com/calculation (https://missrifka.com/equipment


s/compressor/application-range- /preliminary-sizing-of-two-phase- s/pump/npsh-of-pump.html)
of-variety-of-compressors-and- horizontal-separator.html) How to Calculate NSPH of Pump
compressor-selection.html) Preliminary Sizing of Two-Phase with Examples and Illustrations
Application Range of Variety of Horizontal Separator (https://missrifka.com/equipment
Compressors and Compressor (https://missrifka.com/calculation s/pump/npsh-of-pump.html)
Selection /preliminary-sizing-of-two-phase- May 21, 2017
(https://missrifka.com/equipment horizontal-separator.html) In "Pump"
s/compressor/application-range- November 25, 2019
of-variety-of-compressors-and- In "Calculation"
compressor-selection.html)
May 27, 2017
In "Compressor"

centrifugal compressor (https://missrifka.com/tag/centrifugal-compressor)

centrifugal compressor power calculation (https://missrifka.com/tag/centrifugal-compressor-power-calculation)

compressor power calculation (https://missrifka.com/tag/compressor-power-calculation)

You might also like