Abstract: Compressors achieve in a single stage a high-pressure ratio (r) of greater than or equal to 2.5:1 on a process fluid having a molecular weight of 12-20, such as natural gas. Two or more of the compressor stages are combined serially to increase overall pressure ratio. Each single-stage includes respective inlet and outlet passages and an unshrouded, centrifugal impeller that includes a plurality of impeller blades. Process fluid is discharged from trailing edges of the impeller blades at a rotational velocity greater than or equal to 1400 feet/second into a diffuser passage of the outlet. Dimension ranges of the annular diffuser passage, the centrifugal impeller, and the diffuser vanes vary as a function of pressure ratio (r) and/or the flow coefficient (?) of the process fluid flowing between the inlet and the outlet.

Abstract: A supersonic compressor provided may include an axial inlet and a centrifugal impeller fluidly coupled to the axial inlet. The centrifugal impeller may have a periphery and may be configured to impart energy to process fluid received via the axial inlet and discharge the process fluid from the periphery in at least a partially radial direction. The supersonic compressor may further include a static diffuser circumferentially disposed about the periphery of the centrifugal impeller and configured to receive the process fluid from the centrifugal impeller and convert the energy imparted. The static diffuser may include a plurality of diffuser vanes defining diffuser passageways therebetween. A supersonic ramp may be formed at an end of the at least one diffuser vane proximate the periphery of the centrifugal impeller. The supersonic ramp may be configured to generate a shock wave from the process fluid.

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 (10) and a method for supporting one or more turbomachines, with the apparatus including a first package (12) module including a first frame (32) and a fluid-handling machinery mount coupled to the first frame, the fluid-handling machinery mount being configured to support one or more fluid-handling machines (42). The apparatus also includes a second package module (14) including a second frame (38) and a heat exchanger mount coupled to the second frame, the heat exchanger mount being configured to support one or more process fluid coolers (46), and the second package module being coupled to the first package module. The apparatus further includes an access passage (16) extending between the first and second modules and configured to enable personnel to proceed therethrough.

Abstract: A fluid takeoff assembly for a motor-compressor is provided and includes an outer pipe having an inlet and an outlet, and an inner pipe defining a fluid passage extending from an open axial end toward a closed axial end thereof and a radial opening fluidly coupled with the fluid passage. The inner pipe may be disposed in the outer pipe such that the open axial end and the closed axial end are oriented toward the outlet and the inlet, respectively, and the inner and outer pipes define an annular space therebetween. A cross-flow member may be coupled with the inner pipe and may define a flowpath fluidly coupled with the fluid passage via the radial opening. A vane and the cross-flow member may be disposed in the annular space and configured to at least partially induce a swirling flow in a process fluid flowing through the annular space.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for compressing a process fluid are provided. The system includes a sealed housing configured to be submerged in a body of water, and a compressor disposed in the sealed housing and including a compressor casing, the compressor being configured to compress a process fluid. The system also includes a motor operably coupled to the compressor and disposed in the sealed housing, the motor being configured to drive the compressor. The system further includes a source of hydrogen, such as a hydrogen generator, disposed in the sealed housing or submerged and disposed proximate thereto, the source of hydrogen being fluidly coupled with the compressor and configured to provide the hydrogen gas thereto.

Abstract: A supersonic compressor including an inlet configured to receive and flow therethrough a process fluid. The supersonic compressor may further include a rotary shaft and a centrifugal impeller coupled therewith. The centrifugal impeller may be configured to impart energy to the process fluid received and to discharge the process fluid therefrom in at least a partially radial direction at an exit absolute Mach number of about one or greater. The supersonic compressor may further include a static diffuser circumferentially disposed about the centrifugal impeller and configured to receive the process fluid therefrom and convert the energy imparted. The supersonic compressor may further include a collector fluidly coupled to and configured to collect the process fluid exiting the diffuser, such that the supersonic compressor is configured to provide a compression ratio of at least about 8:1.

Abstract: An impeller includes a hub mountable to a rotary shaft and configured to rotate about a center axis. The impeller may include a plurality of main blades and splitter blades arranged equidistantly and circumferentially about the center axis. A splitter blade having a leading edge and a trailing edge may be positioned between first and second adjacent main blades and canted such that the leading edge is displaced from a blade position equidistant the first and second adjacent main blades a first percentage amount of one half an angular distance between the first and second adjacent main blades. The trailing edge may be displaced from the blade position equidistant the first and second adjacent main blades a second percentage amount of one half the angular distance between the first and second adjacent main blades. The second percentage amount may be greater or less than the first percentage amount.

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: 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 turbomachine system and method, with the system including a slug detector coupled to a main line to detect a slug flow in a multiphase fluid in the main line. The system also includes a compressor fluidly coupled to the main line and disposed downstream of the slug detector, and a bypass line fluidly coupled to the main line upstream of the compressor and downstream of the compressor. The system further includes at least an upstream control valve fluidly coupled to the main line upstream of the compressor and communicably coupled to the slug detector. The upstream control valve is configured to actuate between a normal position, in which the upstream control valve directs fluid to the compressor, and a bypass position, in which the upstream control valve directs fluid to the bypass line, according to when the slug detector detects a slug flow.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for a terminal assembly of a subsea motor-compressor. The terminal assembly may include a plurality of terminal ports extending through a hollow spherical body to a cavity defined therein. The terminal assembly may also include a penetrator detachably coupled with the spherical body about each of the plurality of terminal ports. The terminal assembly may further include a mounting port extending through the spherical body to the cavity defined therein. The mounting port may be configured to couple the terminal assembly with a housing of the motor-compressor.

Abstract: A fluid takeoff assembly for a motor-compressor is provided and includes an outer pipe having an inlet and an outlet, and an inner pipe defining a fluid passage extending from an open axial end toward a closed axial end thereof and a radial opening fluidly coupled with the fluid passage. The inner pipe may be disposed in the outer pipe such that the open axial end and the closed axial end are oriented toward the outlet and the inlet, respectively, and the inner and outer pipes define an annular space therebetween. A cross-flow member may be coupled with the inner pipe and may define a flowpath fluidly coupled with the fluid passage via the radial opening. A vane and the cross-flow member may be disposed in the annular space and configured to at least partially induce a swirling flow in a process fluid flowing through the annular space.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for compressing a process fluid are provided. The system includes a sealed housing configured to be submerged in a body of water, and a compressor disposed in the sealed housing and including a compressor casing, the compressor being configured to compress a process fluid. The system also includes a motor operably coupled to the compressor and disposed in the sealed housing, the motor being configured to drive the compressor. The system further includes a source of hydrogen, such as a hydrogen generator, disposed in the sealed housing or submerged and disposed proximate thereto, the source of hydrogen being fluidly coupled with the compressor and configured to provide the hydrogen gas thereto.

Abstract: A fluid processing system and method are provided for separating a liquid portion from a multiphase fluid. The system and method may include a steam turbine assembly coupled with a rotary shaft, and a separator coupled with the rotary shaft and positioned upstream of the steam turbine assembly. The separator may include an inlet end configured to receive a multiphase fluid, an outlet end fluidly coupled with the steam turbine assembly, and a separation chamber extending from the inlet end to the outlet end. The separation chamber may be configured to separate a liquid portion from the multiphase fluid to thereby provide a substantially gaseous fluid to the steam turbine assembly.

Abstract: A supersonic compressor provided may include an axial inlet and a centrifugal impeller fluidly coupled to the axial inlet. The centrifugal impeller may have a periphery and may be configured to impart energy to process fluid received via the axial inlet and discharge the process fluid from the periphery in at least a partially radial direction. The supersonic compressor may further include a static diffuser circumferentially disposed about the periphery of the centrifugal impeller and configured to receive the process fluid from the centrifugal impeller and convert the energy imparted. The static diffuser may include a plurality of diffuser vanes defining diffuser passageways therebetween. A supersonic ramp may be formed at an end of the at least one diffuser vane proximate the periphery of the centrifugal impeller. The supersonic ramp may be configured to generate a shock wave from the process fluid.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for a terminal assembly of a subsea motor-compressor. The terminal assembly may include a plurality of terminal ports extending through a hollow spherical body to a cavity defined therein. The terminal assembly may also include a penetrator detachably coupled with the spherical body about each of the plurality of terminal ports. The terminal assembly may further include a mounting port extending through the spherical body to the cavity defined therein. The mounting port may be configured to couple the terminal assembly with a housing of the motor-compressor.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) and a method for supporting one or more turbomachines, with the apparatus including a first package (12) module including a first frame (32) and a fluid-handling machinery mount coupled to the first frame, the fluid-handling machinery mount being configured to support one or more fluid-handling machines (42). The apparatus also includes a second package module (14) including a second frame (38) and a heat exchanger mount coupled to the second frame, the heat exchanger mount being configured to support one or more process fluid coolers (46), and the second package module being coupled to the first package module. The apparatus further includes an access passage (16) extending between the first and second modules and configured to enable personnel to proceed therethrough.

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.