Our founders had a passion for developing technology for the energy industry from the inception of the company. BN has been developing turbomachinery and systems that include such wide-ranging applications as electric-assist turbochargers, oilfield downhole turbine generators, geothermal power systems, blowers for fuel cells, supercritical carbon dioxide power systems, etc. for over 50 years. Our passion for developing technology that will result in a more energy-efficient civilization continues with the talented people driving the company forward today.
Energy
Waste Heat & Geothermal Power Generation
Barber-Nichols specializes in the design and production of Waste Heat & Geothermal Power Generation Equipment. Thermodynamic Cycle Systems including Organic Ranking Cycles (ORC) and Steam Rankine Cycles are a core competency at BN. These systems are used to turn industrial waste and geothermal heat, as low as 115 °C (240 °F), into electrical energy. Products include:
- Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) Powered Turbine-Generators
- Flash Steam Powered Turbine-Generators
- Turbocompressors for the Removal of Non-Condensible Gas
Fuel Cell Technology
Fuels cells require hydrogen and air in order to produce electricity. A reliable supply of these constituents is needed to provide power to critical systems for a given application. Some examples of BN developed fuel cell components include the following:
- Air & Anode Gas Recirculation Compressors for Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cells – Aerospace and Automotive Applications
- Air Compressors for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC) – Distributed Energy Applications
- Cooling Pumps for PEM Fuel Cells – Manned Space Flight Applications
Liquified Natural Gas (LNG)
Barber-Nichols designs and produces cryogenic Vapor Return Compressors for LNG terminals and Low Pressure LNG Fuel Pumps for high horsepower engine applications. Vapor Return Blowers transfer LNG vapor from the onshore storage facilities back to the ships for ullage pressure control during unloading. BN’s Vapor Return Blowers provide a variety of benefits including cold box insulation to eliminate ice build-up, proprietary thermal isolation features to allow rapid starts with a minimal chill down, and variable speed operation for enhanced control. LNG fuel pumps are compact, economical, and will endure thousands of start/stop cycles, providing many years of maintenance-free operation.
Barber-Nichols Model BNCP-66-000 LNG Vapor Return Compressor at Sempra Energy’s Energía Costa Azul LNG Terminal
