This was the idea behind LightSail actually, but it's a really hard problem. I'm sure @DanielleFong could regale us with crazy stories.
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we did a 200 bar two stage compressor with water spray, it was reciprocating, not a centrifugal, we did custom water injectors and valves so that we could compress and expand across a wide range of pressures worked well, problem was consistency of funding
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Yea, I've been there too... There's more funds talking about industrial tech, but most just want to fund the software around the edges. Unaware of anyone specializing in doing fundamental engineering investments. May be hard to get dealflow bc the community isn't built out yet.
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find a way to profit early, do software first, or work with elon, i guess the biggest meta mistake was the idea that, having demonstrated the tech working at the most extreme physics regimes, VCs and industrials will invest, having removed the science risk. actually...
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I also find the industrials (especially in the mfg. space) have little/no risk capital. They just want to pick the fruit that ripens, not water any seeds. They also view a lot of startups as possible competitors and don't understand how to work with them.
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Replying to @NickPinkston @DanielleFong and
BTW
@DanielleFong, did you see the@carnotcompress folks on this thread before? I'd be interested to get your take.1 reply 0 retweets 1 like -
i think i saw them waaaay back when. we had simular ideas and even iirc patented some but the physics of how water droplets actually behave in a centrifugal compression cycle is really complex, so it’s an experimental and design program. you can’t just use reg design rules...
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Replying to @DanielleFong @NickPinkston and
for centrifugal compressors, the multiphase flow makes it rather different. the difference between < 25 micron droplets and larger ones is extreme, the larger droplets will rapidly exit the flow, so you need very well developed nozzle tech also
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Yea that makes sense, but was definitely not my first thought. I'm sure there's so many things like this.
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Actually our concept is basically a centrifugal trompe. Think of the Taylor compressor shrunk from 345 feet to 18 inches and spinning 2500-3600 rpm
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makes sense if you can get really fine droplets, that was a key area of development that we had. the two most promising nozzle technologies, i felt, were impingement nozzles, and nozzles with very fine orifices made with laser cutting (same tech used in magsafe indicator lights)
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Sounds like they do it with bubbles rather than droplets. Liquid-dominant two-phase. Just have to make the bubbles smallish. No really tight constraint afawct.
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bubbles can work, but as far as i can remember at those pressures you’d end up using a lot of extra water and managing that can cut into your efficiency.
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