Abstract: A turbomachine component and method for fabricating the turbomachine component are provided. The turbomachine component may include a matrix material and carbon nanotubes combined with the matrix material. The matrix material may include a metal or a polymer. The carbon nanotubes may be contacted with the metal to form a metal-based carbon nanotube composite, and the metal-based carbon nanotube composite may be processed to fabricate the turbomachine component.

Abstract: A cooling system for a rotating machine, such as a centrifugal compressor. Specifically, the cooling system may be configured to cool radial and axial magnetic bearings in the rotating machine and the bearing control system that controls said bearings. The cooling system includes canned magnetic radial bearings on each end of the rotor and a canned bearing control system. The canned bearings and canned bearing control system may be filled with a dielectric cooling fluid and in fluid communication with each other via sealed conduits. Accordingly, the radial magnetic bearings and the bearing control system may be entirely immersed in the dielectric cooling fluid to regulate heat generation. An axial magnetic bearing may also be canned and fluidly coupled to the cooling system to immerse the axial magnetic bearing in the dielectric cooling fluid.

Abstract: A turbomachine component and method for fabricating the turbomachine component are provided. The turbomachine component may include a matrix material and carbon nanotubes combined with the matrix material. The matrix material may include a metal or a polymer. The carbon nanotubes may be contacted with the metal to form a metal-based carbon nanotube composite, and the metal-based carbon nanotube composite may be processed to fabricate the turbomachine component.

Abstract: A multistage separation system is provided. The multistage separation system may include a rotary shaft configured to drive a compressor. A rotating separation system may be coupled with the rotary shaft and may have an outlet in fluid communication with an inlet of the compressor. A static separation system may be coupled with a front end portion of the rotating separation system. The static separation system may include an axial inlet configured to receive a fluid and a static separation curve fluidly coupled with and disposed radially outward of the axial inlet. The static separation curve may include an outlet fluidly coupled with an inlet of the rotating separation system.

Abstract: A coast down bushing having a plurality of grooves formed in the inner radial surface thereof. Each groove is filled with a lubricating insert or plug to reduce the contact friction between a rotating shaft and the bushing during coast down or during a rotor shock event or excursion.

Abstract: A compressed air energy storage system including a compressor adapted to receive a process gas and output a compressed process gas. A heat transfer unit may be coupled to the compressor and adapted to receive the compressed process gas and a heat transfer medium and to output a cooled process gas and a heated heat transfer medium. A compressed gas storage unit may be coupled to the heat transfer unit and adapted to receive and store the cooled process gas. A waste heat recovery unit may be coupled to the heat transfer unit and adapted to receive the heated heat transfer medium.

Abstract: Coast-down bearing apparatus and methods are provided. The coast-down bearing includes a plurality of segments each having a radius of curvature substantially equal to an outer radius of a shaft and spaced radially therefrom to define a clearance, with the plurality of segments being configured to receive the shaft when a magnetic bearing drops the shaft. The coast-down bearing also includes a plurality of slots disposed between adjacent ones of the plurality of segments.

Abstract: A coast-down bearing and method for a magnetic bearing system is provided. The bearing includes first, second, and third rings disposed around a shaft. The first, second, and third rings each have an inner diameter that is greater than an outer diameter of the shaft and provide a running clearance therebetween. The first, second, and third rings are eccentrically positioned with respect to each other to form a pocket for receiving the shaft during a drop, radial shock, or both.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for separating a mixed flow into a higher-density component and a lower-density component is provided. The apparatus may include a casing having a fluid entrance assembly, a fluid outlet assembly, and a drain. The apparatus may also include a plurality of rotary separators disposed in the casing. Each of the plurality of rotary separators may include an inlet in fluid communication with the fluid entrance assembly, a discharge in fluid communication with the fluid outlet assembly, and an outlet passage in communication with the drain. At least one of the plurality of rotary separators may include a stationary housing and a rotatable drum disposed at least partially in the stationary housing. The stationary housing may define a slot at least partially providing the outlet passage, and the rotatable drum may be configured to centrifuge the mixed flow.

Abstract: Coast-down bearing apparatus and methods are provided. The coast-down bearing includes a plurality of segments each having a radius of curvature substantially equal to an outer radius of a shaft and spaced radially therefrom to define a clearance, with the plurality of segments being configured to receive the shaft when a magnetic bearing drops the shaft. The coast-down bearing also includes a plurality of slots disposed between adjacent ones of the plurality of segments.

Abstract: A cooling system for a rotating machine, such as a centrifugal compressor. Specifically, the cooling system may be configured to cool radial and axial magnetic bearings in the rotating machine and the bearing control system that controls said bearings. The cooling system includes canned magnetic radial bearings on each end of the rotor and a canned bearing control system. The canned bearings and canned bearing control system may be filled with a dielectric cooling fluid and in fluid communication with each other via sealed conduits. Accordingly, the radial magnetic bearings and the bearing control system may be entirely immersed in the dielectric cooling fluid to regulate heat generation. An axial magnetic bearing may also be canned and fluidly coupled to the cooling system to immerse the axial magnetic bearing in the dielectric cooling fluid.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for separating a fluid, with the apparatus including a rotatable drum having an inner drum wall and an outer drum wall disposed around the inner drum wall to define a separation passage therebetween. The apparatus also includes radial separator blades that are curved in a circumferential direction and are disposed in the separation passage of the drum, the radial separator blades extending radially at least partially between the inner drum wall and the outer drum wall. The apparatus further includes a first circumferential separator blade that is curved in a radial direction and is disposed in the separation passage of the drum, the first circumferential separator blade extending at least partially around the inner drum wall. The apparatus also includes a housing disposed around the drum and configured to receive a higher-density component of the fluid separated in the separation passage.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for separating a fluid, with the apparatus including an inner drum wall disposed around and coupled to a shaft. The apparatus also includes an outer drum wall disposed around the inner drum wall, the outer drum wall being configured to rotate to separate a higher-density component of the fluid from a lower-density component of the fluid. The apparatus further includes a first radial vane disposed between the inner drum wall and the outer drum wall and having first contours configured to turn the fluid in at least one of a radially-inward direction and a radially-outward direction. The apparatus also includes a housing at least partially surrounding the outer drum wall and configured to receive the high-density component of the fluid therefrom.

Abstract: A multistage separation system is provided. The multistage separation system may include a rotary shaft configured to drive a compressor. A rotating separation system may be coupled with the rotary shaft and may have an outlet in fluid communication with an inlet of the compressor. A static separation system may be coupled with a front end portion of the rotating separation system. The static separation system may include an axial inlet configured to receive a fluid and a static separation curve fluidly coupled with and disposed radially outward of the axial inlet. The static separation curve may include an outlet fluidly coupled with an inlet of the rotating separation system.

Abstract: A method and system for expanding, separating, and compressing a multi-phase fluid. An expander receives and expands the multi-phase fluid to generate a lower-pressure fluid which can more efficiently be separated in a separator. Expanding the fluid also drives a main shaft adapted to drive at least the separator and a compressor coupled thereto. The separator receives the lower-pressure fluid, separates any higher-density components from the lower-density components disposed therein, and provides a substantially dry gas to the compressor to be re-compressed and discharged from the system.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for separating a fluid, with the apparatus including an inner drum wall disposed around and coupled to a shaft. The apparatus also includes an outer drum wall disposed around the inner drum wall, the outer drum wall being configured to rotate to separate a higher-density component of the fluid from a lower-density component of the fluid. The apparatus further includes a first radial vane disposed between the inner drum wall and the outer drum wall and having first contours configured to turn the fluid in at least one of a radially-inward direction and a radially-outward direction. The apparatus also includes a housing at least partially surrounding the outer drum wall and configured to receive the high-density component of the fluid therefrom.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for processing a process fluid at a remote location, with the apparatus including a pump located at a first location and configured to provide a pressurized working fluid. The apparatus also includes an umbilical coupled to the pump such that the umbilical receives the pressurized working fluid from the pump and transports the pressurized working fluid therefrom. The apparatus further includes a hydraulic turbine disposed at the remote location and coupled to the umbilical such that the hydraulic turbine receives the pressurized working fluid from the umbilical. The apparatus additionally includes one or more shaft energy conversion devices operatively coupled to the hydraulic turbine and disposed at the remote location.

Abstract: A method and system for expanding, separating, and compressing a multi-phase fluid. An expander receives and expands the multi-phase fluid to generate a lower-pressure fluid which can more efficiently be separated in a separator. Expanding the fluid also drives a main shaft adapted to drive at least the separator and a compressor coupled thereto. The separator receives the lower-pressure fluid, separates any higher-density components from the lower-density components disposed therein, and provides a substantially dry gas to the compressor to be re-compressed and discharged from the system.

Abstract: A “bolt on” static separator is disclosed for use in conjunction with a rotating separator to handle higher liquid volumes that are not able to be effectively separated by the rotating separator alone. The static separator may be positioned upstream of the rotating separator, generally right in front of the rotating separator, i.e., immediately ahead of the inlet to the rotating separator and generally attached directly to the front end of the rotary separator. The static separator may include a significant change in flow path direction that is sufficient to cause coarse fluid separation. The output of the static separator is in communication with the input of the rotating separator. Additionally, the drain of the static separator is in communication with the drain of the rotating separator and is at the same pressure.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for separating a higher-density component from a lower-density component of a mixed flow, with the apparatus including a pressurized casing with a plurality of rotary separators disposed in parallel therein. The casing includes a fluid entrance assembly, a fluid outlet assembly, and a drain. The rotary separators each include an inlet fluidly coupled with the inlet of the fluid entrance assembly, a discharge in communication with the fluid outlet assembly, and an outlet passage in communication with the drain.