Axial-Flow Air Compressors are a type of air compressor that operates based on the axial-flow principle, widely used in industries requiring high flow rates and moderate pressure ratios, such as chemical engineering, metallurgy, energy, and aerospace. Their core feature is the axial flow of air through high-speed rotating blades, which enables efficient compression with advantages like high efficiency, large flow capacity, and compact structure.

I. Working Principle

Axial-flow air compressors compress air by using high-speed rotating rotor blades (moving blades) to impart kinetic energy to the air, which then flows axially. The air subsequently enters the stator blades (guide vanes), where the kinetic energy is converted into pressure energy, completing the compression process. This cycle repeats, gradually increasing the air pressure.

• Moving Blades: Provide kinetic energy to the air.
• Stator Blades: Convert kinetic energy into pressure energy.
• Axial Flow: Air moves along the compressor’s axis, differing from the radial flow in centrifugal compressors.

II. Key Features

1. High Efficiency and Energy Savings
   • Efficiency: Up to 86%–92%, 5%–10% higher than centrifugal compressors.
   • Energy Efficiency Ratio: Approximately 90%, delivering significant energy savings.
2. Large Flow Capacity
   • High mass flow rate per unit area and small radial dimensions, suitable for flow rates exceeding 1,500 m³/min.
   • Single-stage pressure ratios are low but can achieve high ratios (up to 11 in single-cylinder multi-stage configurations) through multi-stage compression.
3. Structure and Maintenance
   • Relatively simple structure and easy maintenance.
   • Ideal for large-scale industrial applications, such as wind tunnels and large chemical plants.

III. Applications

Axial-flow air compressors are widely used in:

1. Aerospace: Providing high-flow, moderate-pressure air for wind tunnel testing.
2. Chemical and Metallurgical Industries: For large-scale process air compression.
3. Energy Sector: Including gas turbine intake compression and nuclear power plant auxiliary systems.