Centrifugal compressors use centrifugal force to compress gas by feeding it into a wheel, or impeller, with radial vanes that accelerate the gas away from the wheel center. The wheel is spun by a drive shaft that is driven by the prime mover. The acceleration of the gas molecules forces them into a smaller volume, thus raising pressure.
Centrifugal compressors are well suited for high flow rates and for applications where pressure differentials between inlet and outlet are relatively small. To achieve higher pressure differentials, compressors must be configured in series to achieve the necessary pressure increase. They are usually coupled with a gas turbine prime mover but also may be used with a reciprocating engine or an electric motor.