APPARATUS, SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR COMPRESSING A PROCESS FLUID

摘要

A supersonic compressor including an inlet configured to receive and flow therethrough a process fluid. The supersonic compressor may further include a rotary shaft and a centrifugal impeller coupled therewith. The centrifugal impeller may be configured to impart energy to the process fluid received and to discharge the process fluid therefrom in at least a partially radial direction at an exit absolute Mach number of about one or greater. The supersonic compressor may further include a static diffuser circumferentially disposed about the centrifugal impeller and configured to receive the process fluid therefrom and convert the energy imparted. The supersonic compressor may further include a collector fluidly coupled to and configured to collect the process fluid exiting the diffuser, such that the supersonic compressor is configured to provide a compression ratio of at least about 8:1.