Mixed flow compressor

Mixed flow compressor

A mixed flow compressor combines the axial and radial components to produce a diagonal flow unit. The exit mean radius is greater than at the inlet, but the flow tends to exit in an axial rather than radial direction. This eliminates the need for a relatively large diameter exit diffuser associated with centrifugal compressors, The impeller can be machined from solid using NC machines, in much the same way as that of a centrifugal compressor

A diagonal-flow compressor is featured in the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW610F turbofan, recently certified for the Eclipse 500 Very Light Jet aircraft.

In the USA, mixed flow compressors are called diagonal flow compressors, but they are the same type of compressor.

See also