LINEAR MOTOR COMPRESSOR TECHNOLOGY AND APPLICATIONS ANNUAL INDUSTRY ADVISORY MEETING NOVEMBER 14, 2017

Presenter: Ray Zowarka r.zowarka@cem.utexas.edu

Linear Motor Compressor Technology 2

Developed in partnership with Gas Technology Institute with funding from DOE ARPA-e

Enables reliable, cost effective solution for gas compressor

Reduced Cost and Maintenance

Increased Durability and

Reliability

Simple Design

Single Moving

Part

Reduced Part

Count Oil-Free

Near-Frictionless

Seals

Easy to Service

Linear Motor Compressor Need

•  High pressure and purity applications •  Alternative fuel vehicles (CNG,

Hydrogen) •  Breathing air (SCUBA, SCBA, medical) •  Defense applications (Navy ships, air

sampling)

•  Existing compressors for these applications use traditional reciprocating compressors •  Require lubricated gearbox, if not

lubricated seals as well •  Require short maintenance intervals

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History of Linear Motor Compressor Development

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Demonstrated prototype at 3600 psig Compressor Design •  Engineered and tested custom valves •  Designed for reduced cost and serviceability Linear Motor Design and Testing •  Reluctance motor topology balances cost and

performance •  Resonant frequency operation and tight position control

surpasses efficiency targets Seal and Coating Development in partnership with Argonne National Laboratory •  Tested over two dozen seal and coating systems •  Achieved friction coefficient of 0.05 •  Demonstrated >3,000 hr seal life and still counting! Patent Application Filed •  Covers free piston linear motor compressor system •  Continuation in Part covers control system •  Separate filings being considered for subsystems Commercialization •  Pursuing multiple paths

CEM Expertise •  Grounded in simulation

•  Motor drive power electronics •  Motor controller and motor model •  Motion controller with position and

velocity feedback •  Compressor

•  Real gas properties that vary with pressure and temperature

•  Dynamic check valve mass-spring orifice models to determine flow and pressure losses.

•  Seal and bearing friction •  Seal leakage •  Seal and check valve geometry to

estimate dead volume within the cylinder

•  Intercoolers between each stage with heat transfer models to size the intercoolers so that gas inlet into next stage is 15°C above ambient

•  Prototype build and test

capability, etc.

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Ongoing LMC Projects

•  Scale up investigation •  Sponsored by Gas Technology Institute

•  Large Scale Hydrogen and CNG •  Industry sponsored •  Initial investigation

•  Large Scale Air •  Industry sponsored •  Preliminary investigation

•  Medium Scale Air •  Department of Energy STTR •  Whole Air Gas Sampling for Nuclear Treaty

Monitoring

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FPLMC

Commercial

Early study results show the FPLMC to be more efficient than comparable commercial compressor

Large Scale Applications – 20+ kW

•  Industry sponsors interests include low cost, reliability, and oil free operation •  In the case of Hydrogen, industry

sponsor does not have a solution

•  Goals of preliminary investigations •  Determine scalability and application

feasibility •  Address use of commercially available

linear motors

•  Outcomes so far •  The technology is scalable with no show

stoppers •  Both permanent magnet and reluctance

motor topologies are viable with cost versus performance trades

•  Commercially available linear motors appear viable but questions remain regarding motor drive capability

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Whole Air Gas Sampling – Nuclear Treaty

•  Ground-based Nuclear Detonation Detection Research and Development (GNDD R&D) Program

•  A near zero-maintenance, high pressure, manufacture-able, whole-air gas compressor is needed to improve gas collection technologies used in environmental sampling applications and nuclear test-ban treaty monitoring technologies

•  Specifications: •  2.8 kW (28 Vdc) •  2.5 SCFM up to 3000 psia •  10 psia inlet (high altitude) •  35 lbs •  ~Φ12 inch x 16 inch long

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Size and weight are major challenges

Whole Air Gas Sampling – Nuclear Treaty

•  Project Partners •  Koo and Associates Inc. •  Gas Technology Institute

•  Funded by DOE SBIR/STTR Program

•  Project recently awarded and in its infancy

•  Phase I goal is to show technical feasibility and viable commercialization plan

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Up Next for Linear Motor Compressors

•  Continue industry partnerships for large scale applications •  Move from investigation phase to prototype demonstration phase •  Cost of demonstration phase may be a hurdle •  IP licensing must also be addressed

•  Develop industry relationships for smaller scale markets •  Nuclear treaty air sampling market is too small to support a business •  Need alternative applications and markets •  Your help is welcome!

•  Continue exploring original avenue of home refueling and search for grant opportunities

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