Differences Between Centrifugal and Axial Flow Compressors

S.no	Centrifugal Compressors	Axial Flow Compressors
1	In centrifugal compressors air flows radially in the compressor	In Axial flow compressors air flows parallel to the axis of shaft
2	Low maintenance and running cost	High maintenance and running cost
3	Low starting torque is required	Requires high starting torque
4	Not suitable for multi staging	Suitable for multi staging
5	Suitable for low pressure ratios up to 4	Suitable for only multi staging ratio of 10
6	For given mass flow rate, it requires a larger frontal area.	For a given mass flow rate, it requires less Frontal area.
7	Isentropic efficiency is 80 to 82%	Isentropic efficiency is 86 to 88%
8	Better performance at part load	Poor performance at part load

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Comparison between centrifugal compressor and axial flow compressors can be done in aspects like air flow direction, maintenance cost, torque requirement, multi staging suitable or not, pressure ratios conditions, frontal area, isentropic efficiency and performance at part load.