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A CLEAN HELIUM COMPRESSOR/EXPANDER FOR LONG LIFE CRYOGENIC SERVICE

Award Information
Agency: Department of Energy
Branch: N/A
Contract: N/A
Agency Tracking Number: 3461
Amount: $243,755.00
Phase: Phase II
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: N/A
Solicitation Number: N/A
Timeline
Solicitation Year: N/A
Award Year: 1987
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): N/A
Award End Date (Contract End Date): N/A
Small Business Information
P.o. Box 71, Etna Road
Hanover, NH 03755
United States
DUNS: 072021041
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Dr. Herbert Sixsmith
 Principal Investigator
 (603) 643-3800
Business Contact
Phone: () -
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

CRYOGENIC HELIUM REFRIGERATORS AND LIQUIFIERS CONVENTIONALLYEMPLOY OIL LUBRICATED POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT COMPRESSORS AT THE WARM END AND FREQUENTLY USE PISTON TYPE EXPANSION ENGINES AT THE COLD END. THESE SYSTEMS REQUIRE EXTENSIVE AND VIGILANT MAINTENANCE TO CONTROL CONTAMINATION FROM LUBRICATING OIL AND ITS VOLATILE COMPONENTS MIGRATING TO THE COLD END. HENCE THE NEED FOR LOW MAINTENANCE COMPRESSORS AND EXPANDERS OF CONTAMINATION-FREE DESIGN. WE PROPOSE AN INNOVATIVE RECIPROCATING COMPRESSOR OR EXPANDER CONCEPT WHICH HAS THE POTENTIAL TO ELIMINATE OIL, SEALS, VALVES, WEAR, CONTAMINATION, AND MAINTENANCE. PHASE I OF THIS PROJECT WILL ASSESS THE TECHNICAL FEASIBILITY OF THE PROPOSED COMPRESSOR CONCEPT BY TESTING A PROOF-OF-CONCEPT BREADBOARD DEVICE AND DEVELOPING SCOPING ANALYSES OF EVALUATE ITS EXPECTED RANGE OF APPLICATIONS. IF PROVEN FEASIBLE, A PROTOTYPE CLEAN HELIUM COMPRESSOR WILL BE BUILT AND TESTED IN PHASE II.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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