At a glance
- Type
- Centrifugal turbo
- Architecture
- Multi-stage
- Model range
- MT50 to MT400
- Selection
- By duty point
Overview
The TurboPure MT-Series is a multi-stage centrifugal turbo compressor engineered for continuous, high-volume compressed air supply. By using high-speed impellers and multiple compression stages, it efficiently converts airflow velocity into pressure, providing stable and reliable performance for large industrial applications with consistent air demand.
Model range
The TurboPure brochure groups flow as MT50 50-80 m³/min, MT80 80-145 m³/min, MT145 145-200 m³/min, MT200 200-350 m³/min, MT350 350-400 m³/min and MT400 400-1800 m³/min.
Smaller range frames
MT50 / MT80
- MT50 flow
- 50-80 m³/min
- MT80 flow
- 80-145 m³/min
- Use when
- High but not extreme flow
Medium range frames
MT145/MT200
- MT145 flow
- 145-200 m³/min
- MT200 flow
- 200-350 m³/min
Larger range frames
MT350 / MT400
- MT350 flow
- 350-400 m³/min
- MT400 flow
- 400-1800 m³/min
- Use when
- Base-load high flow
Technology
Technology Platform
TurboPure MT uses multi-stage centrifugal compression with integrally geared driver. Air enters the centrifugal impeller, is accelerated to high speed, then decelerated in the diffuser converting kinetic energy to pressure energy. Multiple stages in series progressively raise pressure.
Performance Boundaries
Key design features:
Key Design Decision: Integrally Geared vs Single-Shaft
At 80 to 400 m³/min, single-shaft multi-impeller designs face limitations: impeller diameters and speeds are constrained by material strength, making it difficult to achieve the required total pressure ratio. Integrally geared configuration uses gear multiplication so each impeller runs at its optimal speed, achieving higher total pressure ratio and better inter-stage efficiency in a more compact casing.
More technical detail
Technology Platform
The fundamental difference from screw compression: screw is positive displacement (reducing enclosed volume), while centrifugal is dynamic (impeller does work on gas raising velocity and pressure). Centrifugal suits large flow applications above 80 m³/min, medium-high pressure from 2 to 35 bar, and continuous stable operation. Screw suits small to medium flow below 80 m³/min, medium-low pressure below 13 bar, and fluctuating load conditions.
TurboPure MT B platform covers 80 to 400 m³/min — the centrifugal sweet spot.
Performance Boundaries
The performance envelope is bounded by the surge line and choke line. Surge is instability at low flow causing sharp vibration increase. The blow-off valve vents excess gas when demand falls below surge flow.
- Independent pinion gears: Each impeller is driven by an independent pinion gear, unlike single-shaft multi-impeller designs where all impellers run at the same speed. Integrally geared configuration allows different speeds per stage for optimal aerodynamic efficiency.
- Titanium alloy impellers: High strength, light weight, enabling higher tip speed and higher single-stage pressure ratio. Overspeed test at 115% of rated speed.
- Tilting-pad radial bearings: Provide high-speed rotation stability and better resistance to oil film oscillation.
- Gear accuracy AGMA 13: Core metric for integrally geared compressors, directly affecting vibration and noise levels.
- Inlet guide vanes (IGV): Adjust intake pre-swirl, providing 65 to 105% of design flow range, with blow-off valve to prevent surge.
Key Design Decision: Integrally Geared vs Single-Shaft
The trade-off: more complex structure, higher manufacturing precision requirements, and need for specialist maintenance teams.
Selection Logic
Centrifugal selection is more complex than screw selection because centrifugal performance is more affected by inlet conditions:
Selection must be performed by the SIND engineering team with complete duty parameters.
- Inlet temperature: Higher temperature reduces air density, lowering mass flow. Tropical regions must size by maximum ambient temperature.
- Inlet pressure and altitude: Higher altitude reduces air density and must be corrected in selection.
- Cooling water temperature: Intercooler cooling water affects inter-stage inlet temperature and thus next stage power consumption.
- Required pressure: B platform pressure codes range from 0.2 to 1.05.
- Required flow: Determines Frame selection (1 to 4), then select specific flow point within frame.
Selection & quote checklist
- the exact TurboPure frame
- required flow at the duty point
- discharge pressure
- Environment and site conditions
- electrical power supply
- the current datasheet and package contents
Ownership & service
Energy, maintenance and service
Energy Savings Framework
Centrifugal compressors show their advantage in large continuous operation. At station level, total consumption equals compressor input plus cooling system plus drying system. Unit production cost is total consumption divided by total output in kWh per Nm³.
Example: A 200 m³/min, 8 bar station needs 4 to 5 units of 55 kW screw machines versus 1 to 2 centrifugal units. Centrifugal station efficiency at full load is typically 10 to 20% better, but the advantage narrows at low load.
| Dimension | Centrifugal (TurboPure MT) | Screw (SILVERLUBE/DUALLUBE) |
|---|---|---|
| Full-load specific power | Better at large flow | Better at small flow |
| Part-load performance | Needs IGV or VFD | VFD has wide range |
| Maintenance | High per-overhaul cost but long intervals | Lower cost but shorter intervals |
| Cooling water | Usually needed | Air-cooled screw not needed |
| Footprint | More compact at large flow | Needs multiple machines in parallel |
Maintenance Cost Structure
Maintenance for centrifugal compressors is fundamentally different from screw compressors.
Centrifugal overhaul intervals are typically longer than screw compressors (40,000 to 80,000 hours versus 20,000 to 40,000 hours), but per-overhaul cost is higher.
| Component | Interval | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Lubricating oil system | 8,000 to 16,000 hours | Oil analysis determines change interval |
| Radial and thrust bearings | 40,000 to 80,000 hours | Inspect or replace at overhaul |
| Gearbox inspection | 40,000 to 80,000 hours | Check tooth wear and clearance |
| Impeller inspection | 40,000 to 80,000 hours | Check for corrosion, erosion, and cracks |
| Cooler cleaning | 8,000 to 16,000 hours | Water-side scale or air-side dust removal |
| IGV mechanism | 16,000 to 32,000 hours | Check actuator and linkage |
Service Requirements
Centrifugal compressors require higher specialist expertise than screw compressors. Commissioning must be performed by SIND or an authorized team. Overhauls need advance booking, and spare parts may have long lead times. A long-term maintenance agreement is recommended.
Reference data
Full specification and reference tables
| Industry | Flow Range (m³/min) | Pressure (bar) | Frame |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steel | 100 to 400 | 8 to 10 | 2 to 4 |
| Chemical | 80 to 300 | 4 to 10 | 1 to 4 |
| Air separation | 100 to 400 | 5 to 10 | 2 to 4 |
| Electronics | 80 to 200 | 6 to 8 | 1 to 3 |
| Textile | 80 to 200 | 6 to 8 | 1 to 3 |
| Shipbuilding | 80 to 200 | 8 to 10 | 1 to 3 |
- Flow: 200 to 400 m³/min
- Pressure: 8 to 10 bar
- Operating hours: 8,000+ hours per year
- Frame: 3 or 4
- Flow: 60 to 200 m³/min
- Pressure: 4 to 10 bar
- Frame: 2 or 3
- Flow: 100 to 300 m³/min
- Pressure: 5 to 10 bar
- Frame: 2 to 4
- Cooling water: Usually required for intercoolers and lube oil cooler. Water quality, temperature, and flow must meet design specifications.
- Foundation: High-speed rotation and vibration sensitivity require dedicated concrete or steel foundation considering dynamic loads.
- Lifting: Equipment is heavy. Plan lifting operations in advance.
- Inlet filtration: Impellers are sensitive to particulates. Filter must meet specified efficiency requirements.
- Control system: Station-level coordination is needed for load, unload, blow-off, and parallel operation. PLC and communications are in standard configuration, but station logic must be designed by SIND engineering.
