A centrifugal compressor includes a casing, an impeller, a motor, a diffuser, a magnetic bearing, and a magnetic bearing backup system including at least one dynamic gas bearing and at least one hydrostatic gas bearing. The impeller is attached to a shaft rotatable about a rotation axis. The motor is configured and arranged to rotate the shaft in order to rotate the impeller. The magnetic bearing rotatably supports the shaft. The magnetic bearing backup system is configured and arranged to support the shaft when the magnetic bearing stops operating. The at least one dynamic gas bearing and the at least one hydrostatic gas bearing of the magnetic bearing backup system are disposed radially inwardly relative to the magnetic bearing.

A housing of an air-conditioning compressor comprising at least two housing components is proposed, wherein the at least two housing components are sealed with respect to each other and are connected to each other by means of screws, and the housing components comprise aluminum or an aluminum alloy and the screws are ultra-high-strength screws. UHS screws are means for further ensuring an excess pressure safety function.

A method for controlling multi-stage centrifugal compressors is provided. It allows an optimization of compressor head and efficiency at each compression stage and is specifically valuable at reduced compressor flow.

There is provided a system and method for producing liquefied natural gas (LNG). An exemplary method includes flowing a high-pressure stream of LNG through a first series of liquid turbines. The exemplary method also includes generating electricity by reducing the pressure of the high-pressure stream of LNG to form a low-pressure stream of LNG. The exemplary method additionally includes bypassing any one the liquid turbines that has a failure while continuing to produce electricity from the first series.