Cryogenic Compressors and Blowers

The BNCP-74 blower plays a critical role in the Drill for Acquisition of Complex Organics (DrACO) module on NASA’s Dragonfly lander. It transports surface materials from Saturn’s moon, Titan, into the Dragonfly Mass Spectrometer (DraMS).

• Volumetric Flowrate: 1.3 Liters/sec (2.8 CFM)
• Head: 190 meters (623 feet)
• Weight: 2.83 kg (6.26 lbm)
• Size: 345mm x 168mm (13.6” x 6.6” dia.)
• Speed: Up to 25,000 RPM
• Exposed to Titan’s atmosphere (95% Nitrogen, 5% Methane) and atmospheric temperature (-290 F)

The BNCP-21 blower is a high-speed gas circulator used in Space Simulation Chambers.  Nitrogen gas is circulated to a shroud inside the chamber and typically alternates between 150 C and -185 C (300 F and -300 F) for months at a time to simulate the temperature changes a satellite endures as it orbits in front of and behind the earth.

• Volumetric Flowrate: up to 38 Liters/sec (300 ACFM)
• Head: 396 to 834 meters (1300 to 2900 feet, design)
• Weight: 68 kg (150 lbm)
• Size: 617mm x 470mm diameter (24.3” x 18.5” dia)
• Speed: 3 kW (8.5 hp) @ 9230 RPM
• Stable and reliable operation is possible over a wide range of speeds
• Explosion Proof
• Hermetically sealed circulator
• Large Performance Range
• Serviceable without being disconnected from the nitrogen gas plumbing
• Circulation of water/glycol cools the power-dense motor and warms the lower bearing during cryogenic operation.

The BNCP-23 is a cryogenic gas blower designed for full-emission circulation with high reliability and efficiency across varying operating conditions.

• Volumetric Flowrate: Up to 307 Liters/sec (650 ACFM)
• Head: 686 to 1463 meters (2250 to 4800 feet)
• Size: 734mm x 470mm diameter (28.9” x 18.5” dia.)
• Speed: 41 kW (55 hp) @ 12500 RPM
• High / Low-Temperature Blower
• Liquid Cooled Motor / Bearings
• Hermetic Design
• Serviceable without Disconnecting Cryogenic Plumbing
• Explosion Proof
• High / Variable Speed Operation
• Efficient Over a Wide Range of Operating Conditions

Designed for high-performance cryogenic gas circulation, the BNCP-31 offers efficient operation at variable speeds.

• Volumetric Flowrate: Up to 779 Liters/sec (1,650 ACFM)
• Head: 274 to 914 meters (900 to 3000 feet)
• Size: 958mm x 711mm diameter (37.7” x 28” dia.)
• Speed: 67kW (90 hp) @ 9100 RPM
• High / Low-Temperature Blower
• Liquid Cooled Motor / Bearings
• Hermetic Design
• Explosion Proof
• High / Variable Speed Operation
• Efficient Over a Wide Range of Operating Conditions

The BNCP-32G-000 is specifically designed for argon gas circulation, offering precision and durability for demanding applications.

• Volumetric Flow rate: up to 8.8 Liters/sec (18.6 CFM)
• Head:   29 meters (73 feet)
• Size:  817.8mm x 204mm diameter (32.2” x 8.0” diameter)
• Speed:  0.19 kW (0.26 hp) @ 5600 RPM
• Operating Inlet Temperature 87.5 K
• 6.15 inch diameter Impeller
• Vacuum housing
• Partial emission
• Induction Motor
• Removable Assembly for maintenance

The BNHeP-11-000 circulator is utilized in the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider at Brookhaven National Laboratory, delivering precise helium circulation for cooling superconducting magnets.

• High-speed designs and variable frequency drives result in efficient operation across a wide variety of head/flow conditions.
• Single-shaft, direct-drive designs are highly reliable due to their simplicity and are extremely stable throughout their entire operating range.
• Low vapor pressure, rolling element, and grease-packed or proprietary dry lubricated bearings provide long-term, reliable service without contaminating the process fluid.
• Gas (foil) bearings utilize the cryogen to rotate on a gas film, allowing a very high-speed operation to maximize efficiency and greatly increase life.
• Friction-free magnetic bearings eliminate wear and allow machines to operate at extremely high speeds for many years without maintenance.
• User-friendly designs allow the compressor to be serviced without breaking the cold box vacuum.

Use Cases for cold gas compressors:

• Circulation of Hot & Cold Nitrogen Gas in Space Simulation Chambers.
• Circulation of Cryogenic Helium for the Cooling of Superconducting Magnets.
• Compression of Boil-Off-Gas at Maritime LNG Receiving Terminals.

The BNCP-66-000 represents the breadth of BN’s capabilities in a single package. Its advanced design with integrated auxiliaries and control enables operation across a wide range of temperatures and conditions.

• Mass Flowrate: 8 kg/sec (767 lbm/min)
• Head: 969 meters (3,180 feet)
• Size: 1458mm x 1102mm diameter (57.4” x 43.4” dia.)
• Speed: 261 kW (350 hp) @ 12,100 RPM
• Variable Frequency Drive operates motor that direct-drives a centrifugal impeller
• Thermal isolating features allow for rapid temperature swings from ambient to cryogenic temperatures
• Control system allows for remote operation
• Blowers can be used for cryogenic natural gas, nitrogen, hydrogen, and other gases.