Compressors that run on frictionless bearings are an enticing prospect. Here the the compressors operate without metal-to-metal contact by levitating the compressor shaft in a magnetic field. Thus the need for an oil management system is eliminated. Such type of compressors are designed to take advantage of the magnetic bearing technology.
Magnetic bearings:
The lubricated bearings in ordinary systems is replaced by a digitally controlled magnetic bearing system, consisting of both permanent magnets and electromagnets. the compressor shaft” being the only rotating part is is levitated and held in place by magnetic bearings. Four positioning signals take the position to within 0.00005 of center.. This requires an amazing sampling rate of six million times per minute.
The advantages are:
-No friction
-energy efficiency improved by upto 2-4%
-less wear on moving parts.
-The shaft can spin at high speeds
-little vibration.
Oil-free design it eliminates the need for a lubrication system containing the oil pumps, sumps, oil separators, heaters, coolers, etc
Low noise level: less noise is produced by it.
VFD control:
There is a variable frequency drive built in so that speeds to run up to 48,000 RPM.
for full details, refer these links: http://profmaster.blogspot.com/2007/07/f...ssors.html Reference: http://seminarprojects.com/Thread-frictionless-compressor-technology#ixzz2YWRb04rE
Frictionless Compressor Technology is
one of the fast growing Technology in
the mechanical engineering field. In the
Traditional centrifugal compressors use roller bearings and hydrodynamic bearings, both of which consume power and require oil and lubrication system. This can be overcome by the introduction of new compressor technology called frictionless compressor technology. The frictionless compressor technology is compressor with the application of magnetic bearings and permanent magnet synchronous motor.