Turbo compressors are turbomachines that compress a compressible gas using dynamic principles. This enables compression without pressure ripple and with a very high efficiency. Furthermore, emissions such as noise and vibrations are kept to a minimum.
In a turbo compressor, the gas continuously enters the rotating impeller. Mechanical shaft power is transferred to the fluid using the blades of the compressor impeller, resulting in a significant increase in pressure and temperature. Most of the remaining kinetic flow energy is then converted into pressure in the diffusor. The compressed gas is then either collected in a volute or fed to a second compressor stage via a return channel. Celeroton mainly builds single-stage radial turbo compressors with 3D blading, also known as centrifugal compressors. But 2D blading, mixed-flow turbo compressors, multi-stage systems and expansion turbines are also employed. With turbo compressors, many different gases and a wide spectrum of pressure ratios, pressure differences, mass flows and volume flows can be covered.
The characteristics of a turbo compressor are presented in the compressor map and in the power map. The pressure ratio (outlet pressure p2 to inlet pressure p1) is depicted versus the mass flow at constant speeds n. Points with the same efficiency η on different characteristic curves are connected to form contours with constant efficiency. The map is generally limited to the right by the maximum speed of the compressor and to the left by the surge line. Surge is an aerodynamical instability, and operation of the compressor to the left of the surge line is not permitted. The performance of individual Celeroton products in this form can be found in detail in the respective product data sheet.
