The turbo expander system is used to provide cryogenic refrigeration for a specific gas e.g. nitrogen liquefaction or air separation. The head drop is transformed into mechanical energy to be absorbed by the compressor.

This is a Cryostar TC-ECO series turboexpander-compressor, a precision cryogenic rotating machine designed for nitrogen refrigeration and liquefaction service. The unit operates on the Joule-Thomson expansion principle: high-pressure nitrogen gas is expanded through a radial inflow turbine wheel, producing a refrigeration effect, while the recovered shaft energy is used to drive an integral centrifugal booster compressor on the same shaft. The result is a highly efficient, self-contained expansion and compression stage with no external driver required.

The machine was originally engineered and supplied by Cryostar SAS for an LNG peak shaver facility, where it served as the primary expansion stage in a nitrogen refrigeration cycle used to liquefy natural gas. It is rated for cryogenic service down to −196°C (−320°F) and is built to handle the demanding thermal cycling and high rotational speeds characteristic of industrial liquefaction plant operation.

The package includes the turboexpander-compressor unit, the blue-painted structural skid and support frame, the lube oil and seal gas system, the instrumentation and control panel, and all associated piping within the package boundary. The original Installation, Operation and Maintenance Manual (Cryostar document FCC41-D14) is included with the sale.

The TC-ECO series uses gas-lubricated bearings on the high-speed rotating assembly, eliminating oil contamination risk to the process gas stream and reducing maintenance requirements on the expander cartridge itself. The rotating cartridge is a field-replaceable unit — it can be removed and swapped without disconnecting the expander housing from the process piping, minimizing downtime during overhaul.

The integral lube oil and seal gas system is mounted on the same skid and includes a screw-type lube oil pump, stainless steel accumulator vessels, seal gas filter with differential pressure monitoring, and all associated instrumentation. The system is designed for ambient temperatures ranging from −35°C to +40°C standard, with cold-ambient capability to −60°C.

The control and instrumentation package includes an explosion-proof local control enclosure (Cryostar-branded, with E-stop), a speed converter/drive, surge logic, and a full instrument panel with pressure gauges. The electrical documentation package (wiring diagram FCC41-D06, logic diagram FCC41-D05, I/O list FCC41-D07) is included in the manual.

The unit is being offered as removed from service at an LNG peak shaver facility. It is available for inspection by appointment. Buyers are encouraged to engage a qualified cryogenic process engineer to confirm integration requirements prior to purchase. The full documentation package, including the IOM manual and all reference drawings listed above, transfers with the unit.