Oilfree centrifugal electric compressor with foil gasdynamic bearings
The article gives the description of a highspeed oilfree electric compressor with foil gasdynamic bearings and a synchronous permanent magnet electric drive. During experiments, the refrigeration system has been optimized, and the total power of losses in the bearings and losses on the ventilation of the rotor has been measured. The tests were carried out in the vacuum regime at the inlet up to -0,5 bar; also the tests were performed in the generator regime. This compressor may be used as an independent electric one for air, gases, including refrigerants, and also as a compressor unit in the capacity of a part of a refrigeration or cryogenic plant. In generator mode, the compressor is applicable in waste heat recovery systems operating on the Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC).