Fluid compression apparatus and method

Abstract

The invention relates to a fluid compression apparatus (1) comprising a sealed enclosure (13) intended to contain a bath (16) of cryogenic fluid, a first (3) and a second compression chamber (4), a system (2) for admission into the first chamber (3), a system (6) for transfer from the first (3) to the second (4) chamber, the apparatus (1) further comprising a communicating discharge orifice (7) for the outlet of compressed fluid from the second chamber, the apparatus (1) further comprising a discharge orifice provided with a valve (9) for discharging from the first compression chamber (3) to the bath (16) to allow excess liquid to escape during compression of fluid in the first chamber (3), the discharge orifice communicating with the enclosure (13) via at least one flow retarder (10) configured to attenuate the speed and / or intensity of the flow of liquid discharged by limiting its pressure drop. Abstract figure: Fig. 1