What is considered the main advantage of a centrifugal airflow compressor?

The main advantage of a centrifugal airflow compressor is its ability to generate high pressure per stage while maintaining a relatively low manufacturing and operational cost. Centrifugal compressors achieve this through their design, which uses a rotating impeller to impart kinetic energy to the air and convert that energy into pressure through a diffuser.

This design allows centrifugal compressors to be compact and efficient in specific applications, especially where space and weight are crucial factors, such as in small turbojet engines or various industrial applications. The efficiency gained from this high-pressure capability per stage can lead to reduced overall component count in systems where these compressors are utilized, further lowering the cost.

While operational noise and fuel efficiency are also important factors, they do not represent the primary advantage of centrifugal compressors. In fact, they may be somewhat noisier compared to some other compressor types, and their fuel efficiency can vary depending on the application. The ability to operate at extreme altitudes is a characteristic found in some designs, but it is not as universally associated with centrifugal compressors as the aspect of high pressure generation and cost-effectiveness.