Centrifugal Compressors

Energy and Compression

Compressor Operations
1 Which scenario best describes the control objective of variable flow equal to demand?

A process requires different amounts of gas moved as fast as it is needed by other components in the system.
A compressor moving gas as fast as it is produced.
A compressor pushing a consistent weight of gas over a set period of time.
None of the above.

2 For flow equal to make, the pressure controller is placed:

At the suction end of the compressor.

At the discharge end of the compressor.
Between the inlet guide vanes.
Between the governor and turbine driver.

3 As compressor speed increases, the mass or weight flow through it:

 Increases.
Decreases.

4 If the suction is throttled and the discharge pressure is not reduced, the actual flow per minute through the compressor usually:

Increases.
Decreases.

5 If the change is very small, it may be regarded as a ____________ pressure system.

Constant.
Variable.

6 Increasing the speed of the compressor will ____________ the generated head.

Decrease.
Increase.

7 According to this graph, this compressor begins surging at ____________% of its rated head.
(Type a numerical answer into the box below.)

105

8 Surging occurs when the compressor is operated:

Below minimum capacity.

Above maximum capacity.

9 A compressor surges when the flow of gas ____________ the minimum stable level.

Drops below.
Rises above.
10 What effect does head have on capacity?

As head increases, capacity decreases.

As head increases, capacity increases.
Capacity is not affected by changes in head.
As head decreases, capacity decreases.

11 Which compressor will have the highest volumetric efficiency?

A centrifugal compressor.
A positive displacement compressor.
A lobed blower.
An axial compressor.

12 Compression is usually controlled by making proper changes to:

Pressure, flow, and temperature.

Pressure, flow, and timing.
Pressure, cavitation, and timing.
Pressure, cavitation, and temperature.

13 Compression is usually controlled by making proper changes to:

(Choose all that apply.)
Temperature.
Pressure.
Timing.
Flow.

14 The alternate trapping and displacement of gas is the operating principle of:

A dynamic compressor.
A positive displacement compressor.
An axial compressor.
A centrifugal compressor.
15 Which scenario best describes the control objective of variable flow equal to make?

A compressor moving different amounts of gas as needed by different components in the system.
A compressor moving a consistent weight flow of gas over a set period of time.
A compressor moving a gas as fast as it is produced.
None of the above.

17 A process requires a consistent flow of gas during a given period of time. This control objective is:

Mass flow.
Variable flow equal to demand.
Variable flow equal to make.
Constant weight flow.

16 Compression is usually controlled by making proper changes to:

Pressure, flow, and temperature.

Pressure, cavitation, and temperature.
Pressure, cavitation, and timing.
Pressure, flow, and timing.

19 Which conditions are most likely to induce surging?

(Choose all that apply.)

The head needed to maintain flow exceeds the maximum head of the compressor.
The pressure within the compressor is lower than the pressure within the system.
The compressor is operated below minimum capacity.
The compressor is operated above maximum capacity.

20 ___________ will cause the capacity of a compressor to decrease.

An increase in RPM.
 A decrease in resistance to discharge.
Increasing the size of the system.
An increase in resistance to discharge.

21 Under what condition(s) is the dynamic compressor a good economic choice?

When the volume of gas to be handled is small.

When the volume of gas to be handled is small and high efficiency is desired.
When high efficiency is desired.
When the volume of gas to be handled is large.

22 Which scenario best describes the control objective for constant weight flow?

A process that requires different amounts of gas be moved as fast as needed by other components in the system.
A compressor must move a set flow of air in a given time frame.
A compressor is moving a gas as fast as it can be produced.
None of the above.

23 A continuous flow of gas through the compressor is the operating principle of a ____________ compressor.

Dynamic.
Liquid-piston.
Reciprocating.
Positive displacement.

24 Constant weight flow, variable flow equal to make, and variable flow equal to demand are all basic control objectives for which type of compressor?

Centrifugal.
Sliding vane.
Positive displacement.
Reciprocating.

25 A compressor must move a gas as fast as it's produced. This control objective is:
 Variable flow equal to make.
Constant weight flow.
Mass flow.
Variable flow equal to demand.

26 Which type of compressor is used for low heads and high capacities?

Mass flow compressor.

Axial compressor.
Positive displacement compressor.
Centrifugal compressor.

27 What can be done to lower the volume of gas required on a constant speed compressor with a fixed suction pressure?

Operate the compressor at a lower speed.

Cycle the compressor on and off until the desired volume is achieved.
Operate the compressor at a higher speed.
Increase the compressor's BHP.

28 A control element used for constant-weight flow is a:

Surge protector.
Flow meter.
Turbine.

Pressure controller.

29 On a constant speed compressor with a fixed suction pressure, an increase in discharge pressure:

Causes an increase in capacity and an increase in R.

Causes a decrease in capacity and an increase in R.
Causes an increase in pressure and a decrease in R.
Causes a decrease in capacity and a decrease in R.
30 If capacity is reduced, it probably means that pressure in the discharge system:

Has increased.
Will remain steady.
Has also decreased.
Will decrease at first, then level off.

31 For flow equal to demand, a pressure controller would be placed in a compressor's:

Discharge end.
Casing.
Suction end.

32 the centrifugal tendency of a rotating object is its tendency to:

Move toward the center of rotation.

Travel in a straight line.
Move away from the center of rotation.

33 If a machine rated at one HP operates for one minute, it will:

Do 33,000 pounds (44,742 joules) of work.

Do 550 foot-pounds (746 joules) of work.
Raise a one-pound weight (4.45 newtons) a distance of 66,000 feet (20,117 meters).

34 A centrifugal compressor with an R of 2 takes in gas with an absolute pressure of 14.7 PSI (101.3 kPa). The discharge pressure will be:

29.4 PSIG (202.6 kPag).

29.4 PSIA (202.6 kPaa).
14.7 PSIA (101.3 kPaa).

35 The total energy of a flowing gas is a function of its:

Pressure.
 Velocity.
Temperature.
All of these.

36 A moving hammer has ____________ energy.

Kinetic.
Potential.

Energy and Compression

1 When velocity and pressure are added to a gas, its total energy:

Stays the same.

Decreases.
Increases.

2 he gas moving through a centrifugal compressor:

Travels in a spiral path.

Pulsates.
Travels in a straight line.

3 An object in motion tends to:

Remain in motion.
Stop suddenly.

4 The total energy of a flowing gas is a function of its:

 Pressure.
Velocity.
Temperature.
All of these.

5 In an axial compressor, rotor blades impart __________ to the gas.

Pressure.
Velocity and volume.
Volume.
Pressure and velocity.

6 Axial compressors contain _______ and _______ blades.

Stator, rotor.
Rotor, cupped.
Rotor, fan.
Stator, impeller.

7 When the gas leaves the diffuser, it enters the:

Eye.
Discharge.
Volute.
Impeller.

8 Water trapped behind a dam has ___________ energy.

Potential.
Kinetic.

9 Falling water has ___________ energy.

 Kinetic.
Potential.

10 In a centrifugal compressor, gas velocity is converted to pressure:

Within the compressor.

After discharge.
At the eye of the impeller.

11 Energy can be:

Converted.
Destroyed.
Created.

12 A dynamic compressor adds energy to a gas by:

Increasing the volume, while decreasing pressure.

Adding pressure energy and converting it to velocity energy.
Adding velocity energy and converting it to pressure energy.

13 When the total energy of a gas stays the same, and energy in the form of velocity decreases, energy in the form of pressure:

Stays the same.

Decreases.
Increases.

12 When volume decreases, gas pressure:

Increases.
Decreases.
Stays the same.
15 The centrifugal tendency of a rotating object is its tendency to:

Move toward the center of rotation.

Move away from the center of rotation.
Travel in a straight line.

16 When the total energy of a gas stays the same, and energy in the form of pressure increases, energy in the form of velocity:

Decreases.
Stays the same.
Increases.

17 An object in motion tends to:

Stop suddenly.
Remain in motion.

18 The total energy of a gas leaving the compressor is ___________ the total energy of the gas entering the compressor.

Greater than.
Less than.
The same as.

19 In a centrifugal compressor, suction occurs at the:

Volute.
Diffuser.
Discharge.
Eye.

20 A dynamic compressor:

Does not change the distance between gas molecules.

 Pushes the gas molecules further apart.
Brings the gas molecules closer together.

21 When velocity and pressure are added to a gas, its total energy:

Stays the same.

Increases.
Decreases.

22 When gas leaves the impeller, it enters the:

Discharge.
Diffuser.
Volute.
Eye.

23 The gas traveling through a centrifugal compressor is at maximum speed when it is:

At the impeller's eye.

At the tip of the impeller's blades.
At the volute.
At discharge.

Compressor Operations
1 The alternate trapping and displacement of gas is the operating principle of:

A positive displacement compressor.

An axial compressor.
A centrifugal compressor.
A dynamic compressor.
2 A process requires that different amounts of gas be moved as fast as it is needed by other
components in the system. This control objective is:
Mass flow.
Variable flow equal to make.
Variable flow equal to demand.
Constant weight flow.

3 On a constant speed compressor with a fixed suction pressure, an increase in discharge pressure:

Causes an increase in pressure and a decrease in R.

Causes a decrease in capacity and an increase in R.
Causes a decrease in capacity and a decrease in R.
Causes an increase in capacity and an increase in R.

4 Flow from a compressor will stop when the:

Maximum head of the compressor is greater than the head needed to maintain flow.
Head needed to maintain flow exceeds the maximum head of the compressor.
Pressure of the system drops below the maximum head of the compressor.
System uses as much air as can be delivered to it.

5 Compression is usually controlled by making proper changes to:

(Choose all that apply.)

Temperature.
Flow.
Timing.
Pressure.

6 ___________ will cause the capacity of a compressor to decrease.

 A decrease in resistance to discharge.
Increasing the size of the system.
An increase in RPM.
An increase in resistance to discharge.

7 Under what condition(s) is the dynamic compressor a good economic choice?

When the volume of gas to be handled is large.

When the volume of gas to be handled is small.
When high efficiency is desired.
When the volume of gas to be handled is small and high efficiency is desired.

8 If capacity is reduced, it probably means that pressure in the discharge system:

Will decrease at first, then level off.

Has also decreased.
Has increased.
Will remain steady.

9 Which scenario best describes the control objective for constant weight flow?

A process that requires different amounts of gas be moved as fast as needed by other components in the system.
A compressor must move a set flow of air in a given time frame.
A compressor is moving a gas as fast as it can be produced.
None of the above.

11 For flow equal to demand, a pressure controller would be placed in a compressor's:

Discharge end.
Suction end.
Casing.

12 Which compressor requires more horsepower for compression and has lower efficiency?
 Dynamic.
Rotary.
Positive displacement.

13 Which compressor will have the highest volumetric efficiency?

A centrifugal compressor.
A positive displacement compressor.
A lobed blower.
An axial compressor.

14 Which type of compressor is used for low heads and high capacities?

Mass flow compressor.

Axial compressor.
Positive displacement compressor.
Centrifugal compressor.

15 A compressor must move a gas as fast as it's produced. This control objective is:

Constant weight flow.

Mass flow.
Variable flow equal to make.
Variable flow equal to demand.

16 A continuous flow of gas through the compressor is the operating principle of a ____________ compressor.

Liquid-piston.
Dynamic.
Reciprocating.
Positive displacement.

Centrifugal Compressors: Construction and Operation

 Operating Compressors

1 To avoid surging, compressors operating against a fixed discharge pressure should be:

Shut down slowly.

Shut down with the vent or bypass open.
Shut down as quickly as possible.
Shut down with the vent or bypass closed.
2 Before startup, always roll the rotor manually to ensure it is moving freely.

TRUE
FALSE
3 during shutdown, which should run until the compressor is cooled?

Seal oil pumps.

Auxiliary tube pumps.
Both of these.

4 Backup lubrication equipment should be primed or filled with oil:

Before it is put into operation.

As soon as it is put into operation.
Only if absolutely necessary.
After it is put into operation.

5 Centrifugal compressor diaphragms should be checked for:

Coolant circulation.
Oil circulation.
Pressure drop.
 Adequate lubrication.

6 If any pressure change occurs between the two compressors, the check valve will ____________ backflow.

Allow.
Prevent.

7 During startup in a turbine-driven compressor, the vent or bypass is:

Open.
Closed.
8 Parallel compressors draw gas from:

The discharge of the previous compressor.

The suction of the previous compressor.
A common source.
9 A heavier gas load in the compressor means that the driver will:

Need an auxiliary starter.

Be unable to turn.
Take longer to reach full speed.
Reach full speed quickly.

11 On most compressors, automatic bypass controls are regulated by:

Discharge pressure.
Suction rate.
Suction pressure.
Discharge rate.

12 excessive vibration may indicate an:

 Unbalanced rotor.
Unbalanced impeller.
Both of these.

13 To increase the total amount of pressure, compressors are connected in:

Parallel.
Series.

14 During startup using a motor-driven compressor:

The suction valve is throttled, and the discharge valve is open.

The suction valve is throttled and the discharge valve is closed.
The suction valve and discharge valve are open.
The suction valve and discharge valve are closed.

15 If toxic gas is used in the compressor's system, the system must be purged.

TRUE
FALSE
16 During startup in a turbine-driven compressor, the discharge check valve is:

Open.
Closed.
17 Backup lubrication equipment should be primed or filled with oil:

Only if absolutely necessary.

As soon as it is put into operation.
After it is put into operation.
Before it is put into operation.
18 A heavier gas load in the compressor means that the driver will:
 Reach full speed quickly.
Take longer to reach full speed.
Be unable to turn.
Need an auxiliary starter.
19 in a parallel connection, the compressor will surge if:

Both discharge pressures are the same.

One discharge pressure drops below the other.

20 The compressor must have a continuous supply of clean lubricant ____________ it is started.

Before.
After.
21 Before startup, always roll the rotor manually to ensure it is moving freely.

TRUE
FALSE

22 During shutdown, which should run until the compressor is cooled?

Seal oil pumps.
Auxiliary tube pumps.
Both of these.

23 All centrifugal compressors connected in parallel are protected against backflow with a(n):

Bypass.
Overspeed trip.
Vent.
Check valve.
24 In a parallel connection, the compressor will surge if:

Both discharge pressures are the same.

One discharge pressure drops below the other.
25 System problems are indicated by ____________ instrument changes.

Sudden.
Gradual.

26 If any pressure change occurs between the two compressors, the check valve will ____________ backflow.

Allow.
Prevent.

27 All centrifugal compressors connected in parallel are protected against backflow with a(n):

Vent.
Check valve.
Bypass.
Overspeed trip.

Compressor Systems

1 Which process is most like intercooling?

Auxiliary pump cooling.
Diaphragm cooling.
 Diffuser cooling.

2 Centrifugal compressors are usually equipped with vents or bypasses to prevent:

Surging.
Overspeed tripping.
Overheating.
Internal combustion.

3 Select the correct path the oil takes when lubricating bearings.

Cooler, reservoir, filter, bearings.

Reservoir, cooler, filter, bearings.

4 Which device is used to prevent a compressor from overloading?

Thermostat.
Governor.
Throttle valve.
All of these.

5 The normal operating range for a compressor is:

15,000 -20,000 RPM.
3,000 - 12,000 RPM.
1,000 - 3,000 RPM.
12,000 - 15,000 RPM.

6 In an overspeed trip, the weight is held in the turbine shaft by:

The step-up gear.

The tension of the spring.
 Centrifugal tendency.
The governor.
7 Which pump is used during normal operations?

The main oil pump.

The auxiliary pump.

8 What safety device may be used with a governor?

A mechanical contact seal.

An overspeed trip.
A circuit breaker.
A diffuser.

9 Aftercoolers are used to cool gas:

Between the compressor stages.

After the compressor discharge.
Ahead of the compressor suction.

11 Which pump is used during emergencies?

The auxiliary pump.

The main oil pump.
12 What device may be used with an electric motor to help drive a high-speed compressor?

Governor.
Overspeed trip.
Diffuser.
Step-up gears.

13 During compression, gas temperature:

 Decreases.
Stays the same.
Increases.

14 To protect a compressor from surging, a valuable gas is:

Bypassed from the discharge back to the suction.

Released into the atmosphere.
Bypassed to the aftercooler.
15 If the turbine overspeeds, the ____________ of the weight exceeds the spring tension and the weight comes out of the shaft.

Centrifugal tendency.
Trip arm.
Centripetal force.
Buoyancy.

16 During shutdown, which should run until the compressor is cooled?

Seal oil pumps.

Auxiliary tube pumps.
Both of these.

Compressor Construction
1 A balancing drum is used when a(n) ____________ is not enough to compensate for axial thrust.

2 The joint in which casing requires more sealing?

Vertically-split.
Horizontally-split.
3 A thrust bearing is used to restrict:
Axial motion.
Radial motion.

4 Compressor capacity and flow can be controlled when guide vanes are:
Stationary.
Adjustable.
Either of these.

5 When a compressor is used for moderate to high pressure service, to minimize the chance of leaks, a ____________ casing is used.
Vertically-split.
Horizontally-split.

6 Impeller thrust causes _____________ force in the direction of the suction end of the compressor.

Axial
Radial
Rotational
Added

7 A thrust bearing will allow which kind of motion?

Radial.
Axial.
8 Match the impeller type with the situation where it is most likely to be used.

A. Open.
B. Semi-enclosed.
C. Enclosed.

9 Used for large flow, usually in single-stage compressors: B

Used for high heads, and small-to-large flow in single-stage compressors: A
Used mainly in multi-stage compressors, the gas is drawn into the eye and flows out the edge: C
10 In multi-stage compressors, diaphragms are used as:

Control valves.
Cooling systems for the gas within the compressor.
Lubricating control systems.
Pump assist systems.

11 Gas pushing against the sides of the impeller is most likely to cause which kind of motion?

Rotary.
Axial.
Circular.

12 The flow of gas is most controlled in a(n) _____________ impeller.

Semi-enclosed.
Enclosed.
Open.

13 Guide vanes are designed to:

Send the flow of gas into the diffuser.

Maximize compressor head.
Direct the flow of gas efficiently through the eye of the impeller.
Adjust the governor as needed for efficient operation.