Liquid-Cooled Scroll Technology
Patented liquid-cooled scroll technology from Air Squared makes the efficient, quiet, and reliable performance of traditional oil-free scroll compressors available for high-pressure operation.
By introducing effective cooling to the fixed scroll and orbiting scroll, liquid-cooled scroll compressors are capable of operating 100% oil-free at higher pressure ratios and managing elevated temperatures over a wide-range of working fluids.
An oil-free scroll compressor requires tight running clearance between the orbiting scroll and fixed scroll to operate efficiently. As temperature increases with pressure throughout the compression process, mitigating thermal expansion with effective cooling is critical in an oil-free scroll design. While air cooling is adequate at lower pressure ratios, there are numerous benefits associated with liquid cooling at higher pressure ratios.
Learn MoreFeatures
- 100% Oil-Free
- Maintain the purity of your system with oil-free scroll technology
- Quiet, Smooth Operation
- Dynamically balanced, valve-less, and nearly pulsation-free
- Efficient, High-Pressure Performance
- Liquid cooling for high-pressure operation with volumetric efficiency up to 90%
- Sealed or Semi-Hermetic Design
- Immersion protection and configurable for gases other than air
- Reliable, Durable Solution
- Extended life, long service intervals, and simple field maintenance
- Compact, Lightweight Design
- Space-saving cooling system and fewer moving parts than competing technology
Applications
- Electric and Hybrid Bus
- Air Braking System
- Air Suspension System
- Military Vehicle (Under-the-Hood)
- Medical, Hospital, and Dental Air System
- Industrial Air and Gas Processing
- Natural Gas Booster
- Nitrogen and Oxygen Generation
Liquid-Cooled Scroll Compressor Products and Projects
Find your oil-free solution through a growing line of liquid-cooled scroll compressors engineered specifically for OEMs and view past projects that supported liquid-cooled scroll technology development.
Liquid-Cooled Scroll Technology Products
Liquid-Cooled Scroll Technology Projects
Oil-Free Scroll Compressor for Space Refrigerator
November 09, 2020
Vapor-compression refrigeration systems commonly use widely-manufactured oil-lubricated scroll and reciprocating compressors to superheat saturated vapor from the evaporator and circulate to the condenser. For operation in space, however, a vapor-compression cycle requires an oil-free compressor solution, as the zero-gravity environment causes standard oil return mechanisms to fail. Intended to support the Zero-Gravity Vapor Compression Refrigerator […]
Scroll Vacuum Pump for the International Space Station
April 13, 2020
Highly efficient, lightweight, and compact, the V06H014A-BLDC-SH-LC scroll vacuum pump is designed to support environmental control and life support systems (ECLSS) on board the International Space Station (ISS). It is the second Air Squared design scheduled for space flight in 2020. The V06H014A-BLDC-SH-LC will replace peristaltic pumps used for in-situ urine processing. The compact design […]
Liquid-Cooled, All-Metal Scroll Vacuum Pump
May 01, 2018
After over a decade of collaboration with nuclear laboratories across North America, Air Squared has developed a liquid-cooled, all-metal (LCAM) scroll vacuum pump. The V16H034D-BLDC-H-LC LCAM scroll vacuum pump is capable of pumping 15 m3/hr and features integrated water or oil cooling. The patented liquid cooling integrated into the LCAM scroll vacuum pump increases operating […]
Quiet, High-Pressure Compressor for Commercial EV
April 28, 2018
Air Squared has completed development of a liquid-cooled scroll compressor for a commercial electric vehicle application. The application required a durable, oil-free compressor capable of delivering 150 lpmv at 10.5 barg. A major source of noise for EV applications is the compressor used in the air-braking system, so quiet operation was also a critical requirement. […]
Liquid-Cooled Scroll Compressor for Electric Bus
April 02, 2018
Continuing development of its patented liquid-cooled scroll technology, Air Squared has completed a custom scroll compressor for an electric bus application. The application required an oil-free air compressor capable of delivering 350 lpm v at 10.5 barg with nominal sound levels below 50 dB(A). With growing populations in urban centers around the world, cities looking […]
Liquid-Cooled Scroll Compressor with Integrated Motor for Fuel Cell Vehicles
January 22, 2016
Fuel cell applications require oil-free air to prevent contamination of the fuel cell stack. When a major automotive company approached Air Squared in search of an oil-free air compressor, they knew they would find the compact, reliable, efficient, and oil-free product needed for a fuel cell-powered vehicle. Providing 700 SLPM of air at 3 barg, […]
Semi-Hermetic Scroll Compressor with Integrated Water-Cooling
January 02, 2015
Designed for an industrial gas processing application with high-sensitivity to any contamination of the working fluid, the oil-free P32H080A-AC-SH-WC is capable of compressing helium from 1 bara to 3.5 bara at a flow rate of 1,500 lpmv. The novel scroll compressor incorporates two innovations patented by Air Squared – semi-hermetic design using a magnetic coupling […]
Stainless O2 and H2 Recirculation Pump
March 14, 2010
The stainless steel hydrogen and oxygen recirculation pump was developed for Lockheed Martin’s ISIS program as part of the on-board fuel cell system. Excess electricity provided by the photovoltaic cells during the day is used to convert water into oxygen and hydrogen, which is used by the fuel cell system to power the dirigible during […]
High-Pressure Water-Cooled Compressor
September 01, 2007
The world’s first water-cooled scroll unit was designed for the US Army to fit inside a military vehicle with a small envelope and no available air cooling. The unit is water-cooled using a bellows to transfer coolant around the orbiting scroll. The patented design uses a BLDC motor and delivers approximately 350 lpm of air […]
Liquid-Cooled Scroll Technology News
Spacesuit Spinning Scroll Boost Compressor Development Continues
June 24, 2020
Broomfield, CO – After successfully completing feasibility testing in 2019, Air Squared has received small business innovation research (SBIR) Phase II funding from NASA to continue the development of its pressure swing adsorption CO2 and H20-removal spinning scroll boost compressor (SSBC). Following the topic Exploration Portable Life Support System (xPLSS) for deep space and surface […]
Comparative Study on Decompression Pumps for Dry Combat Submersible
August 23, 2019
USSOCOM is investigating the achievable possibilities to depressurize dry combat submersible (DCS) hyperbaric spaces while at diving depth. Regulating decompression on ascent following underwater activity significantly decreases the risk of oxygen toxicity, nitrogen narcosis, and decompression sickness. Existing crewed decompression is achieved via surface decompression or staged decompression obligations; however, surface decompression requires supplemental shipboard […]
Liquid-Cooled, All-Metal Scroll Vacuum Pump Awarded Phase II Funding to Support Fusion Project
October 10, 2018
Following a success Phase I Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) effort to develop a small-scale (15 m3/hr) liquid-cooled, all-metal (LCAM) scroll vacuum pump compatible with radioactive Tritium, the Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded Air Squared Phase II funding to develop a full-scale (150 m3/hr) LCAM scroll vacuum pump by 2020. The award is funded […]
All-Metal Scroll Pump Development Continues
August 02, 2017
Broomfield, CO — Air Squared has been awarded Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) funding through the US Department of Energy (DOE) under the topic Advanced Technologies and Materials for Fusion Energy Systems. The development is a continuation of an Air Squared internal development that resulted in an air-cooled, all-metal scroll pump with 15 […]
Development for Fuel Cell Recirculation Pumps
August 12, 2011
High-reliability oxygen and hydrogen fuel cell recirculation pumps for a lighter-than-air aircraft application.
Custom Scroll Design
Contact Air Squared to learn how a custom liquid-cooled scroll compressor can support your application by providing the most advanced oil-free, high-pressure compressor solution available.
Advanced Custom Design Capability with Liquid-Cooled Scroll Technology
For over twenty-five years, Air Squared has continuously challenged the limits of possibility with scroll technology. With the intoduction of patented liquid-cooled scroll technology and an ever-expanding range of custom design capability, put our innovations to work in your application.
Oil-Free Scroll Design
Orbiting scroll technology offers a quiet oil-free alternative to traditional technology like piston, diaphragm, and vain.
High-Pressure
With patented liquid-cooled scroll technology, scroll compressors can now be designed for pressure ratios that were previously unattainable.
Gases other than Air
With several patented sealed and semi-hermetic configurations, liquid-cooled scroll compressors can be designed for compatibility with a wide-range of working fluids.
Elevated Temperatures
With highly effective liquid cooling, scroll compressors can be designed to withstand harsh temperatures and enviormental conditions.
High-Efficiency
When minimal power consumption is critical, leverage the inherent efficiency advantage of scroll technology.
Compact Footprint
Liquid cooling allows for a compact scroll compressor design that can fit in tight envelopes without sacrificing reliability or performance.
Liquid-Cooled Scroll Technology Explained
Liquid-cooled scroll technology significantly expands the performance capability of oil-free scroll compressors. This is the best place to start for a basic understanding of the technology behind liquid-cooled scroll designs and how it can support your application.
Performance
Range Capability
Fluid Compatibility
By Configuration
While liquid cooling for oil-free and lubricated scroll compressor has been investigated in the past, patented liquid-cooled scroll technology from Air Squared offers the first oil-free scroll compressor design that provides effective cooling to both the fixed scroll and orbiting scroll. The patented technology allows coolant to be transferred between the fixed scroll and orbiting scroll without the use of dynamic seals.
Liquid-Cooled Scroll Compressor Demo
Air-cooled scroll compressor designs are pressure-limited because the heat generated during compression causes the primary working components to thermally expand. The thermal expansion causes interference between the fixed scroll and orbiting scroll, eventually leading to mechanical failure. While the running clearance between the fixed scroll and orbiting scroll can be increased to avoid interference, this approach also decreases volumetric efficiency and pressure capability.
Liquid cooling allows for significantly more control over operating temperatures throughout the compression process. By removing heat generated during the compression process more effectively, thermal expansion is mitigated, allowing for high-pressure operation without sacrificing efficiency or reliability.
Sealed and Semi-Hermetic Configurations
Compared to air-cooled scroll compressor designs, liquid cooling offers superior isolation of working fluid to ambient and drive componentry (i.e., motor). Air-cooled compressors cool the fixed scroll and orbiting scroll with ambient air. While this approach is adequate with an open-housing compressor design, air cooling is far less effective if the compression process is fully enclosed (e.g., sealed or semi-hermetic). Liquid-cooling solves this issue by providing highly effective cooling to the fixed scroll and orbiting scroll, even if the compressor is semi-hermetically sealed.
Liquid cooling also operates independently of ambient conditions. This allows for effective cooling even if the compressor is exposed to elevated ambient temperatures – as in under-the-hood vehicle applications.
For operation with flammable gases, such as O2 and H2, the “independent drive” series of liquid-cooled scroll compressors are easily configured with a magnetic coupling that fully isolates the working fluid from the motor.
Drive Configurations
Air Squared offers two drive configurations for liquid-cooled scroll compressor designs.
Integrated Drive Series
The integrated drive configuration uses a liquid-cooled BLDC motor. With liquid cooling available to the motor, as well as the compressor head, liquid-cooled scroll compressors with an integrated drive configuration are more efficient and compact.
With the cooling system fully integrated with both the motor and compressor head, custom motor requirements are difficult with an integrated drive configuration. Operation with flammable gases is also not recommended, as the motor is not isolated from the working fluid.
Independent Drive Series
The independent drive configuration is ideal for customers with custom motor requirements or operation with flammable gases. The independent drive configuration removes all rotating radial loads on the motor bearings, leaving only the torque radial loads. This allows for flexibility in motor selection, as well use of a magnetic drive coupling that fully isolates the motor from the working fluid.
Cooling Loop Integration
If your application requires an independent cooling loop, Air Squared offers integration of a single-phase liquid cooling loop, which includes all necessary hardware to circulate the coolant and discharge thermal energy.
Liquid-cooled scroll technology from Air Squared has a size, efficiency, reliability, noise, and sealing advantage over air-cooled designs. With axillary components (e.g., cooling fins, fans, ducting) no longer necessary, the size and part-count of the compressor are substantially reduced. By running the coolant in close proximity to the compression process, an order of magnitude more heat can be removed during the compression process, which allows more isothermal compression for increased efficiency. The coolant also provides a thermal barrier between the compression process and bearings. This allows the bearings to run much cooler for vastly improved reliability. Because the compressor does not rely on ambient air to directly cool the fixed scroll and orbiting scroll, the compressor housing is enclosed, which offers protection against dust and debris, as well as reduced noise.
