What type of compressor is classified as a centrifugal compressor?

Centrifugal compressors are classified primarily by their design and operating principles. These types of compressors use a rotating impeller to impart kinetic energy to the air or gas, which is then converted into pressure energy as the gas moves through a diffuser. This design allows centrifugal compressors to operate efficiently at high speeds and is particularly effective for compressing larger volumes of gas.

The classification into centrifugal does not overlap with the other types of compressors mentioned. Reciprocating compressors work through a piston mechanism to compress gas, while rotary compressors use a different mechanism often involving rotating elements but not in the same manner as centrifugal designs. Scroll compressors utilize two spiral-shaped scrolls to compress gas, distinctly different from the centrifugal method. This unique mechanism of using rotational energy to achieve gas compression is what makes the centrifugal compressor stand apart in the categories of compression systems.