Is there a particular difference? The way they're overhauled is the same ? (I mean do we use the same overhauling methods ?)
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3 Answers
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The blades are shaped completely differently. Typically a centrifugal compressor is one solid piece that looks like a turbocharger and an axial compressor is a flat disk that looks like a fan with individually manufactured blades inserted, though axial compressor disks with integral blades "blisk" is starting to be used. Here are compressor pics that show how they are used:
Two stage radial/centrifugal compressor circled (with a three stage axial turbine following)
Fifteen stage axial compressor
A radial compressor can usually generate higher pressure in a single stage so it's usually simpler, while an axial compressor is easier to stack in multiple stages to get much higher pressure ratios.
answered Apr 17, 2018 at 17:59
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The main difference is in how they operate, vs how they are maintained. Flow through a centrifugal compressor is turned perpendicular to the axis of rotation, while air in an axial compressor flows parallel to the axis of rotation.
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Axial blades are airfoils that compress air by forcing it aft into a converging space via downwash the same as a wing generates lift by downwash. Efficient, but sensitive to angle of attack and aerodynamic stall, like a regular wing, so therefore sensitive to flow disruptions.
A centrifugal compressor is spinning duct that forces air into a converging space purely by centrifugal force imparted to air within it as it spins. Less efficient, but relatively insensitive to flow disruptions and way easier to make.
