How does increasing the speed of a motor affect a centrifugal compressor?

Increasing the speed of a motor in a centrifugal compressor primarily increases the pressure of the gas being compressed. This is a direct consequence of the principles governing centrifugal compressors, which utilize a rotating impeller to impart energy to the gas. As the impeller rotates faster, it increases the kinetic energy of the gas, causing it to accelerate outwards. This acceleration raises the pressure of the gas as it exits the compressor.

In centrifugal compressors, the relationship between rotational speed and pressure generation is significant because the pressure rise across the compressor is influenced by the square of the impeller speed. Hence, when the motor speed is increased, not only does the pressure increase, but the overall flow capacity of the compressor can also improve, leading to greater efficiency in many cases.

While increasing speed may have implications on factors like efficiency or noise, the key takeaway is that it directly results in a higher discharge pressure in the context of compressor functionality.