A helium regenerative compressor
- Creare Incorporated, Hanover, NH (United States)
This paper discusses the design and performance of a regenerative compressor that was developed primarily for use in cryogenic helium systems. The objectives for the development were to achieve acceptable efficiency in the machine using conventional motor and bearing technology while reducing the complexity of the system required to control contamination from the lubricants. A single stage compressor was built and tested. The compressor incorporates aerodynamically shaped blades on a 218 mm (8.6 inches) diameter impeller to achieve high efficiency. A gas-buffered non-contact shaft seal is used to oppose the diffusion of lubricant from the motor bearings into the cryogenic circuit. Since it is a rotating machine, the flow is continuous and steady, and the machine is very quiet. During performance testing with helium, the single stage machine has demonstrated a pressure ratio of 1.5 at a flow rate of 12 g/s with measured isothermal efficiencies in excess of 30%. This performance compares favorably with efficiencies generally achieved in oil flooded screw compressors.
- OSTI ID:
- 45487
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-930703-; TRN: 94:007382-0080
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: International cryogenic materials conference (ICMC), Albuquerque, NM (United States), 12-16 Jul 1993; Other Information: PBD: 1994; Related Information: Is Part Of Advances in cryogenic engineering, Volume 39, Part A; Kittel, P. [ed.]; PB: 1038 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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