Turbocompressors

Barber-Nichols (BN) designs and manufactures high-performance turbocompressors for a range of industries, including energy and process applications. BN’s expertise spans turbine-compressor-generator assemblies for gas turbine engines and advanced turbocompressors for demanding industrial applications. Depending on the requirements, BN can economically modify automotive turbochargers or develop custom, clean-sheet designs for more complex needs.

Examples of customized products designed for specific customer applications:

BNPM-10-000 Supercritical CO2 Turbocompressor Motor/Generator

The Supercritical CO2 Turbocompressor Motor/Generator removes Non-Condensable Gas (NCG) from the condensers at flash steam geothermal power plants.

  • Mass Flowrate: 15 kg/s (417 lbm/min) Compressor, 2.58 kg/s (341 lbm/min) Turbine
  • Pressure Ratio: 6
  • Head: 572 m (1,878 feet)
  • Size: 729 x 437 x 254 mm (28.7” x 17.2” x 10.0”)
  • Speed: Up to 75,000 rpm while transmitting power of approximately 212 kW (284 hp)
  • High Efficiency Turbocompressor
  • 30% more efficient than liquid-ring pumps
  • 250% more efficient than steam-jet ejectors.

BNTC-07 Magnetically Coupled Refrigerant R152a Turbocompressor

The magnetically coupled turbine-driven compressor optimizes efficiency in dry air-cooling systems for electric power plants and reduces traditional water use.

  • Mass Flowrate: 92 kg/s (122 lbm/min) Compressor, 0.61 kg/s (81 lbm/min) Turbine
  • Pressure Ratio: 4.7
  • Head: 385 meters (1,263 feet)
  • Weight:
  • Size: 729 x 361 x 437 mm (28.7” x 14.2” x 17.2”)
  • Speed: Up to 30,000 rpm while transmitting power of approximately 12 kW (16 hp)
  • Inlet Pressure: 420 kPa (61 psi) Compressor, 572 kPa (83 psi) Turbine
  • Utilizes different fluids for expansion and compression systems.
  • Hermetically Sealed
  • Optional non-metallic barrier between magnetic half couplings to minimize losses
  • Fluid Temperatures up to 103 C
  • Magnetic Coupling Torque = 4 N-m (35 in-lbf)
  • Aluminum Assembly

BNTC-08 Refrigerant R1234ze Turbocompressor

The Refrigerant Turbocompressor uses low grade waste heat from an electric power plant boiler to supply chilled water at COP(?) comparable to an absorption chiller.

  • Mass Flowrate: Power Cycle 3.0 kg/s (397 lbm/min), Cooling Cycle 1.9 kg/s (251 lbm/min)
  • Pressure Ratio: 97
  • Head: 2,150 meters (7,055 feet)
  • Weight:
  • Size: 605 x 419 x 389 mm (23.8” x 16.5” x 15.3”)
  • Speed: 52kw (70 hp) @ 30,000 RPM Turbine Side, 49 kw (65.5 hp) @30,000 RPM Compressor Side
  • Utilizes a Three-Fluid Recuperator
  • High Efficiency Radial Inflow Turbine and Centrifugal Compressor
  • Single Shaft
  • Refrigerant lubricated bearings
  • Dual resilient mounts
  • Stainless Steel assembly
  • 3D printed Turbine Housing, Center housing and Turbine wheel

Innovative Cooling System Turbocompressor

This project, funded by a DOE ARPA-E award, aimed to develop an efficient dry-air cooling system for power plants using low-grade waste heat. The BN-designed magnetically coupled turbine-driven compressor helped reduce water usage and increase system efficiency, pushing the limits of magnetic coupling technology.

  • Volumetric Flow Rate: 0.07 to 1.8 liters/sec (0.15 to 3.9 CFM)
  • Head: Differential pressure from 245 to 310 kPaD
  • Weight: 110 lbm
  • Dimensions: 37″ x 12″ diameter
  • High-speed operation at 30,000 rpm with 12 kW power transmission
  • Hermetically sealed design with magnetic coupling for optimized transmission
  • Reduced water footprint through dry-air cooling

 

We build custom turbocompressors to meet your needs.

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