Inflection Point Engineering Calculators

Centrifugal Compressor Sizing

Polytropic head, gas horsepower, brake horsepower, discharge temperature, and stage count estimate for a centrifugal compressor. Screens against API 617 guidelines on pressure ratio per stage and discharge temperature.

References: API 617 (axial & centrifugal compressors — max ratio per stage, discharge temperature limits); GPSA Engineering Data Book Section 13. Formulas: polytropic head Hp = Zavg·R·T1·(n/(n-1))·[(P2/P1)(n-1)/n-1] with (n-1)/n = (k-1)/(k·ηp); GHP = Hp·Ḵ/(33,000×60); BHP = GHP/ηmech + mechanical losses.