A turbomachine is a system that transfers energy between a rotating part, called a rotor, and a fluid. Absolut System supplies motor-compressors and turbo-alternators specifically designed for applications at cryogenic temperatures (<120K).
Our turbomachines are made up of two main parts: the stator part, comprising an electric motor or alternator, and the rotor part, comprising the rotating shaft through which the fluid flows.
The system’s key components are a cryogenic circulator and a high-efficiency heat exchanger, developed by Absolut System.
For very low-temperature applications (< 2K), we add a Joule-Thomson (JT) cooler stage, also operating in a closed cycle.
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When a turbo-alternator and a motor-compressor are included in the same thermodynamic cycle, part of the energy recovered by the turbine alternator is used to power the electric motor driving the compressor rotor. This management of electrical energy results in a better energy ratio (cooling power/overall operating power).
Turbomachines designed by Absolut System use radial impellers. Driving the fluid in a radial direction increases the energy transferred. Our teams can custom-design impellers to meet your specific compression or expansion requirements.
Our compressors and turbines, using centrifugal or centripetal impellers, have the advantage of being more compact than iso-performance axial turbomachines.
Absolut System turbomachinery uses gas bearings to support the rotors at speeds from 100,000 to 600,000 rpm. The low-mass rotors are the only moving parts in the systems, and because they are precisely balanced, the systems are inherently vibration-free. No vibration-cancelling electronics are required. Gas bearings also enable non-contact operation, so performance degradation resulting from wear or debris build-up is absent. Our systems are generally capable of maintenance-free operation for 5 to 20 years.
Absolut System has a heritage of over 30 years in the design of hydrodynamic bearings. This innovative technology uses shaft rotation to create local fluid overpressure. As a result, the rotor is held in its axis by a thin layer of fluid rotating between the rotor and stator parts of the bearing. This rotor support system offers numerous advantages in terms of economy, autonomy and longevity (>10 years). Absolut System turbomachines are ideal for on-board systems, particularly for space applications or where maintenance is a constraint.
Flow Low flow
Flow (L/s) 1 to 4
Speed Fast
Rpm max 50000
Power (W) 108
Compression rate 1,01
Technical Leaflets Available soon
Flow Low flow
Flow (L/s) 0,03 to 1
Speed Slow
Rpm max 18000
Power (W) 18000
Compression rate 1,03
Technical Leaflets Available soon
Flow High Flow
Flow (L/s) 5 to 124
Speed Fast
Rpm max 50000
Power (W) 50000
Compression rate 1,05
Technical Leaflets Available soon
Rpm max 5250
Power (W) 141
Compression rate 2,7
Technical Leaflets Available soon
Cryogenic cooler based on an inverted Turbo-Brayton thermodynamic cycle: terrestrial and space applications.
The entire laser system is being developed in collaboration between the STFC (Science and Technology Facilities Council) and the Hilase Center. Absolut System has developed high-reliability, high-performance cryogenic circulators with hydrodynamic gas bearings, enabling contamination-free movement of cold helium in the optical cryostat.
