Drew Devitt describes some modifications to the Super Critical CO2 test core that included adding air drive for a spindle assembly. The spindle assembly has been modified by milling cups into the surface that allow air to move from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure. This allows the core to spin as high air pressure enters one side and low air presser exits on the other side. In this setup, the air input pressure is 70 PSI and the spindle reaches a top speed of over 13,000 RPM.

This equipment has been donated to the Turbo Lab at Texas A&M. Professor Adolfo Delgado will be presenting a paper at this year’s Super Critical CO2 Symposium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Bently Bearings by New Way Air Bearings will also be at the Super Critical CO2 Symposium in that is taking place Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania at the Sheraton Pittsburgh Hotel at Station Square. The Symposium will run from March 27, 2018 to March 29, 2018. More information about Bently Bearings can be found online at here. More information on the Super Critical CO2 Symposium can be found online at this link.

Adding air drive for a spindle assembly allows it to reach speeds of over 10,000 RPM.

Adding air drive to the spindle assembly allows it to reach speeds of over 10,000 RPM.