Compressors and Fans

Barber-Nichols’ centrifugal compressors are compact, high-speed, and highly efficient. They have radial flow designs that can be tailored for partial or full emission configurations. Barber-Nichols customizes these compressors to suit specific applications, ensuring they achieve the highest levels of efficiency and reliability.

Barber-Nichols designs fans for applications that require high volumetric airflow with low-pressure ratios, typically using mixed or axial flow designs. These fans are engineered to move large quantities of air while maintaining performance efficiency, even in the most challenging environments.

Our design process begins with advanced software tools like Meanline and Streamline analysis to conceptualize designs, followed by BladeGen® for creating 3D blading. Finally, CFD analysis is applied to optimize performance and reduce noise. We employ Stereolithography (SLA) and five-axis machining for rapid prototyping, ensuring timely and cost-effective production of prototypes.

Fan Capabilities:

• High volumetric flow for efficient air movement
• Low-pressure ratio for optimized performance
• Advanced design tools and CFD analysis for precision and noise reduction
• Rapid prototyping using SLA and five-axis machining for fast, reliable development
• Our fans are capable of meeting stringent performance targets, such as:

• • Discharge pressures up to 61 cm (24 in) of water
  • Tip speeds reaching 333 m/s (1,100 ft/s)
  • Volumetric flow rates up to 23,786 m³/hr (14,000 ACFM)

Barber-Nichols is a global leader in the design and production of cryogenic compressors, specializing in hermetic, centrifugal compressors for gases like hydrogen, nitrogen, natural gas, and helium, which operate at temperatures as low as 5 K (-450 °F). Hermetic designs eliminate dynamic shaft seals, providing ultra-low leak rates and making the machines explosion-proof. These features make BN’s compressors ideal for cryogenic applications, where performance and reliability are paramount.

Key Features:

• High-speed designs with variable frequency drives for efficient operation across various head/flow conditions
• Simple, single-shaft direct-drive designs for reliable performance and stability
• Long-lasting bearings, including rolling element and dry-lubricated options, to minimize contamination in process fluids
• Gas (foil) bearings that utilize cryogens for frictionless, high-speed operation, maximizing efficiency and longevity
• Magnetic bearings that eliminate wear, enabling years of maintenance-free service
• Easy-to-service designs that do not require breaking the cold box vacuum for maintenance

Barber-Nichols specializes in high-performance turbocompressors for a range of industries, including gas turbine engines and process energy systems. Our expertise extends to turbine-compressor-generator assemblies and custom designs for specific applications. In some cases, we can economically modify automotive turbochargers, while in more demanding cases, we develop clean-sheet turbocompressor designs tailored to exacting requirements.