Integral and fully enclosed reciprocating engine-compressor assembly

Abstract

An integral and fully enclosed reciprocating engine-compressor assembly is disclosed. The assembly comprises - one or more compressor enclosed spaces (10) configured to receive the gas to be compressed, hold the gas during compression and release the gas after compression; - one or more compressor pistons (15) configured to move in alternating motion within the compressor enclosed spaces (10); - one or more engine enclosed spaces (20) configured to receive a compressed 10 motion gas, hold the motion gas during expansion of the motion gas and release the motion gas after expansion; - one or more engine pistons (25) configured to move in alternating motion within the engine enclosed spaces (20); - the engine pistons (25) being integral with the compressor pistons (15). In particular, the gas to be compressed is the same as the motion gas and the one or more compressor enclosed spaces (10) and the one or more engine enclosed spaces (20) are configured as an integral and fully enclosed space.

Description

Integral and fully enclosed reciprocating engine-compressor assemblyDescriptionTECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure concerns a compressor system. Embodiments disclosed herein specifically concern an environmentally friendly, high-pressure reciprocating compressor system that integrates the compressor and engine pistons, eliminating gas leakages and enhancing internal sealing performance.BACKGROUND ART

[0002] The field of energy transformation compressors has been a subject of continuous development and innovation. These compressors play a crucial role in various industrial applications, including energy storage, power generation, oil and gas, and chemical processing.

[0003] Traditional reciprocating compressor designs comprise one or more cylinders where a gas is compressed by a piston moving in a reciprocating motion inside a cylinder. The reciprocating piston movement is typically driven through a slider-crank mechanism. Such compressor arrangement has to face challenges related to external and internal sealing performance, especially at high pressures. In particular, such challenges are even more important where the sealing system has to be operated in dry conditions (i.e. in the absence of a lubricating oil) to avoid contamination of the compressed fluid.

[0004] Gas leakages not only lead to loss of efficiency but also can pose environmental concerns. Moreover, maintaining optimal sealing performance at high pressures is a complex task that requires advanced design and material considerations. The sealing system’s behavior is crucial for the compressors overall performance and reliability, and any leakage can significantly impact its efficiency.

[0005] The design of the compressor cylinder and the piston motion mechanism plays a significant role in the compressor's performance. Moreover, the need for dynamic sealing systems to separate the cylinder chamber from the external environment adds to the complexity of the design and increases the risk of leakages. Additionally,the efficiency of the compressor is also influenced by the gas type handled by the compressor. Lastly, the ability to control the capacity of the compressor is another important aspect that influences its performance and efficiency. Traditional compressor designs often struggle with providing easy and wide capacity control, which can limit their applicability in various industrial applications.

[0006] Therefore, there is a need for improved compressor designs that can address these challenges and provide efficient and reliable performance in various industrial applications.SUMMARY

[0007] In one aspect, the subject matter disclosed herein is directed to a compressor system configured to optimize sealing performance (in particular when the sealing system has to operate in dry conditions), both internal and external to the system, through a configuration allowing for the use of a same fluid on the compressor side and the engine side of the compressor system, and wherein sealing with respect to the external environment is obtained through the use of static sealings. The result is a compressor system, herein below also defined engine-compressor assembly, configured to compress a gas and ate the same time to avoid any external leakage, to allow full recovery of engine expanding gas and to avoid any gas contamination between compressor and engine sides.

[0008] In accordance with embodiments, a compressor system is provided. The system includes one or more enclosed spaces designed to hold fluid, one or more compressor components integral with one or more engine components, enclosed within said enclosed spaces, and one or more engine systems designed to propel mechanical motion, integral with said compressor components. The system also includes a containment system designed to ensure fluid containment, preventing fluid leakages to the surrounding environment, and a working fluid, same as the fluid to be compressed, designed to circulate through the engine space. The compressor system can be designed to operate at a low operational velocity, with long strokes (depending on the selected / designed sealing system requirements), and without causing fluid leakages to the surrounding environment. The compressor system can comprise a lubricated sealing system but it can also operate with a dry sealing system.

[0009] The system of the present disclosure allows to maintain consistency of fluid type across the compressor and engine systems, any possible leakage from one of these systems remaining inside the assembly and not being lost, thus ensuring effective containment with more efficient and reliable containment components. Additionally, the system of the present disclosure allows to optimize system size, maintaining a limited footprint, because it can be operated with a smaller number of auxiliaries, resulting in a more compact system. Moreover, the system allows to provide flexible operational control, offering easy and wide capacity control since it adds simplicity to increas- ing / reducing the piston speed, and consequently the handled capacity.

[0010] When combined with a conventional compressor system, the system of the present disclosure allows to enhance output pressure, being able to reach higher pressure compared to reciprocating compressors according to the prior art. Additionally, when combined with a conventional compressor system, the solution according to the present disclosure also allows to recover all gas leakages from the conventional compressor.

[0011] In another aspect, the subject matter disclosed herein concerns a method of operating a compressor system. The method includes propelling mechanical motion with one or more engine systems, coordinating one or more compressor components with one or more engine components, holding fluid in one or more enclosed spaces, maintaining consistency of fluid type across the compressor and engine systems, circulating a working fluid through the engine space, ensuring fluid containment with a containment system, maintaining a low operational velocity, thus optimizing the operation of the sealing system, and providing flexible operational control. The method may further include enhancing output pressure when combined with a conventional compressor system, managing fluid leakages when combined with a conventional compressor system, withstanding fluid intake without causing catastrophic damages, optimizing system size, maintaining a limited footprint, ensuring effective containment with more efficient and reliable containment components, and operating under controlled conditions, making operational phases close to isothermal.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] A more complete appreciation of the disclosed embodiments of the invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:Fig. l illustrates a schematic of an integral and fully enclosed reciprocating engine compressor assembly, according to a first embodiment;Fig.2 illustrates a schematic of an integral and fully enclosed reciprocating engine compressor assembly, according to a second embodiment;Fig.3 illustrates a schematic of an integral and fully enclosed reciprocating engine compressor assembly, according to a third embodiment;Fig.4 illustrates a schematic of a combination of an integral and fully enclosed reciprocating engine compressor assembly and a multi stage compressor, according to a first embodiment;Fig.5 illustrates a schematic of a combination of an integral and fully enclosed reciprocating engine compressor assembly and a multi stage compressor, according to a second embodiment;Fig.6 illustrates a schematic of a combination of an integral and fully enclosed reciprocating engine compressor assembly and a multi stage compressor, according to a third embodiment; andFig.7 illustrates a schematic of a combination of a plurality of integral and fully enclosed reciprocating engine compressor assemblies, according to a further embodiment.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0013] According to one aspect, the present subject matter is directed to an enginecompressor assembly configured to compress a gas, designed to avoid any external leakage, to allow full recovery of engine expanding gas and to avoid any gas contamination between compressor and engine sides, comprising: one or more compressor enclosed spaces configured to receive the gas to be compressed, hold the gas during compression and release the gas after compression; one or more compressor pistons configured to move in alternating motionwithin the compressor enclosed spaces; one or more engine enclosed spaces configured to receive a compressed motion gas, hold the motion gas during expansion of the motion gas and release the motion gas after expansion; one or more engine pistons configured to move in alternating motion within the engine enclosed spaces;- the engine pistons being integral with the compressor pistons; wherein the gas to be compressed is the same as the motion gas and the one or more compressor enclosed spaces and the one or more engine enclosed spaces are configured as an integral and fully enclosed space.

[0014] Engine is provided with externally driven / controlled inlet / outlet valves so to control the compressor / engine motion in a continuous manner.

[0015] According to one aspect, the engine-compressor assembly further comprises a multi stage compressor, configured to compress the motion gas of the engine enclosed spaces, the outlet of the multi stage compressor being fluidly coupled with the inlet of the engine enclosed spaces, the engine-compressor assembly further comprising a motion gas recirculation line, the outlet of the engine enclosed spaces being fluidly coupled with the inlet of one of the stages of the multi stage compressor through said motion gas recirculation line.

[0016] In one aspect, the engine-compressor assembly is configured to operate at a low operational velocity, with the aim to enable two major benefits for a volumetric compressor:- allow a very efficient heat exchange between the compressed gas and the cylinder cooling system increasing the compressor efficiency (which would move near to isothermal compression), and allow the use of self energized sealing system instead of traditional gas energized sealing elements, with the advantage to operate in dry conditions even at very high pressure.

[0017] In one aspect, the engine-compressor assembly is configured to operate with long strokes, helping the addition of cylinder cooling devices to further improve the heat exchange capabilities previously discussed.

[0018] According to further aspects, the engine-compressor assembly (100) can comprises a lubricated sealing system and / or a dry sealing system.

[0019] According to another aspect, the present subj ect matter is directed to a method of operating the previously defined engine-compressor assembly, the method comprising the following steps:- propelling mechanical motion with one or more engine systems; coordinating one or more compressor components with one or more engine components of the engine systems;- holding fluid in one or more enclosed spaces;- maintaining consistency of fluid type across the compressor system and the engine system; and- ensuring fluid containment with a containment system.

[0020] In one aspect, the method further comprises a step of recirculating the fluid of the engine space to a compression stage of the engine systems.

[0021] According to additional aspects, the method can further comprise: enhancing output pressure when combined with a conventional compressor system and / or managing fluid leakages when combined with a conventional compressor system and / or withstanding fluid intake without causing catastrophic damages and / or optimizing system size, maintaining a limited footprint and / or ensuring effective containment with more efficient and reliable containment components and / or operating under controlled conditions, making operational phases close to isothermal.

[0022] Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the disclosure, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the disclosure, not limitation of the disclosure. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present disclosure without departing from the scope or spirit of the disclosure. Reference throughout the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” or “some embodiments” means that the particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the subject matter disclosed. Thus, the appearance of the phrase “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” or “in some embodiments” in various placesthroughout the specification is not necessarily referring to the same embodiment s). Further, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[0023] When introducing elements of various embodiments the articles “a”, “an”, “the”, and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising”, “including”, and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.

[0024] Referring now to the drawings, Fig.1 shows a schematic of an engine-compressor assembly 100, specifically a reciprocating engine-compressor assembly 100. The engine-compressor assembly 100 comprises a compressor side 110 and an engine side 120. The compressor side 110 of the engine-compressor assembly 100 comprises a compressor enclosed space 10, specifically a compressor cylinder 10, with a compressor cylinder inlet 11 and a compressor cylinder outlet 12. This compressor cylinder 10 is similar to a hydraulic cylinder, pneumatic cylinder, or steam cylinder, all of which are designed to separate enclosed spaces, or cylinder chambers, from the surrounding environment. The compressor cylinder 10 processes a specific type of fluid, which enters the compressor cylinder 10 through the compressor cylinder inlet 11 and can be hydrogen, natural gas, compressed air, or steam, and outputs the same fluid at a higher pressure through the compressor cylinder outlet 12. In particular, the compressor cylinder inlet 11 and the compressor cylinder outlet 12 are provided with valves, which can be automatic or controlled valves.

[0025] Within the compressor cylinder 10 is arranged a compressor piston 15. The compressor piston 15 compresses the fluid of the compressor cylinder by coordinating with the components of the engine side 120 of the engine-compressor assembly 100. In particular, the engine side 120 comprises an engine enclosed space 20, specifically an engine cylinder 20, with at least two engine cylinder inlets 21, 22, namely a first engine cylinder inlet 21 and a second engine cylinder inlet 22 and with at least two engine cylinder outlets 23, 24, namely a first engine cylinder outlet 23 and a second engine cylinder outlet 24. The fluid processed by the engine cylinder 20 is the same as the fluid of the compressor cylinder 10. The same fluid being processed within both the compressor side 110 and the engine side 120 of the engine-compressor assembly100, any leakage remains internal to the engine-compressor assembly 100 with no external leakages.

[0026] The engine cylinder 20 is similar to a hydraulic cylinder, pneumatic cylinder, or steam cylinder, all of which are designed to separate enclosed spaces, or cylinder chambers, from the surrounding environment. Within the engine cylinder 20 is processed the same working fluid of the one processed within the compressor cylinder 10 and which ca be hydrogen, natural gas, compressed air, or steam.

[0027] Within the engine cylinder 20 is arranged an engine piston 25. The engine piston 25 can be a Stirling engine piston, a steam engine piston or simply a gas / pneu- matic actuator system. The engine piston 25 moves inside the engine cylinder 20 and separates the engine cylinder 20 into a first engine cylinder portion 26 and a second engine cylinder portion 27. The first engine cylinder portion 26 is connected to said first engine cylinder inlet 21 and to said first engine cylinder outlet 23 while the second engine cylinder portion 27 is connected to said second engine cylinder inlet 22 and to said second engine cylinder outlet 24. The engine cylinder inlets 21, 22, and the engine cylinder outlets 23, 24 are controlled (i.e. opened and closed) by valves alternatively allowing the fluid entering the first engine cylinder portion 26 through the first engine cylinder inlet 21 to move the engine piston 25 towards a first direction, expelling the fluid of the second engine cylinder portion 27 through the second engine cylinder outlet 24 and the fluid entering the second engine cylinder portion 27 through the second engine cylinder inlet 22 to move the engine piston 25 towards a second direction, opposed to the first direction, expelling the fluid of the first engine cylinder portion 26 through the first engine cylinder outlet 23. In particular, the valves controlling the engine cylinder inlets 21, 22 and the engine cylinder outlets 23, 24 are controlled valves.

[0028] The engine piston 25 is integral with the compressor piston 15. In particular, the engine piston 25 and the compressor piston 15 are rigidly connected through a connecting rod 30, so that the motion of the engine piston 25 moves the compressor piston 15 to compress the gas within the compressor cylinder 10. As a consequence, when the fluid entering the first engine cylinder portion 26 through the first engine cylinder inlet 21 moves the engine piston 25 towards the first direction, the fluid within the compressor cylinder 10 is compressed, the compressor cylinder inlet 11 and thecompressor cylinder outlet 12 being closed by the respective valves. After compression, the valve of the compressor cylinder outlet 12 opens and the compressed gas exits the compressor cylinder 10. Conversely, when the fluid entering the second engine cylinder portion 27 through the second engine cylinder inlet 22 moves the engine piston 25 towards the second direction, the valve of the compressor cylinder inlet 11 opens and the gas to be compressed enters the compressor cylinder 10.

[0029] The sealing system (not shown) to avoid leakage of the fluid processed within the compressor cylinder 10 and the engine cylinder 20 to the surrounding environment is an essential part of the system, ensuring fluid containment. This is achieved through static mechanical seals, gasket seals, or O-ring seals or other sealing systems according to the prior art.

[0030] In summary, the current invention is a compressor system that effectively processes a specific type of fluid, propels the system through coordinated motion between the compressor and engine pistons, and ensures fluid containment through an effective sealing system. The system is flexible, allowing for different configurations, and operates under controlled conditions, making compression and expansion phases close to isothermal. The system also provides easy and wide capacity control, making it a versatile solution for various applications.

[0031] Figure 1 shows a cylinder design concept only, different arrangements can be proposed as shown in the next figures.

[0032] Several embodiments of possible engine-compressor assembly arrangements will be described below with reference to the following Figs 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. Some of these engine-compressor assembly arrangements are described in functional relationship with multi stage compressors according to the prior art. At least some of said engine-compressor assembly arrangements could well be functionally coupled to another engine-compressor assembly arrangement according to the present disclosure.

[0033] With continuing reference to Fig.1 , Fig.2 illustrates a different embodiment of an engine-compressor assembly arrangement. The same reference numbers designate the same or corresponding parts, elements or components already illustrated in Fig. l and described above, and which will not be described again. The engine-compressor assembly 100’ of Fig.2 differs from the engine-compressor assembly 100 ofFig.1 mainly in that the engine side 120 is coupled with the compressor side 110 and also with an additional compressor side 110’, the same engine piston 25 being integral with both the compressor piston 15 of the compressor cylinder 10 and an additional compressor piston 15’ of an additional compressor cylinder 10’ moving in an additional compressor cylinder 20’ of the additional compressor side 110’, through an additional connecting rod 30’ . The additional compressor cylinder has an additional compressor cylinder inlet 11’ and an additional compressor cylinder outlet 12’.

[0034] The common integral assembly of the compressor piston 15, engine piston 25 and additional compressor piston 15’ is moving with a reciprocating motion. The two compressor sides 110, 110’ of the engine-compressor assembly 100’ are arranged to compress the fluid to be compressed and the central engine side 120 is arranged for the same fluid to be processed as an engine fluid generating motion. The same fluid being processed by both the compressor sides 110, 100’ and the engine side 120 of the engine-compressor assembly 100 results in that any leakage remains internal to the assembly with no external leakages. The two compressor sides 110, 110’ can be identical and operating with same pressure to get an optimized balance of the axial forces, minimizing the required engine forces to keep a continuous reciprocating motion.

[0035] With continuing reference to Figs 1 and 2, a further embodiment of an enginecompressor assembly according to the present disclosure is shown in Fig.3. The same reference numbers designate the same or corresponding parts, elements or components already illustrated in Fig.2 and described above, and which will not be described again. The engine-compressor assembly 100” of Fig.3 differs from the engine-compressor assembly 100’ of Fig.2 mainly in that each of the compressor sides 110a, 110a’ is arranged with the respective compressor cylinder 10a, 10a’ being divided into two compression chambers, so that two different compression stages can be accommodated on the same compressor cylinder 10a, 10a’. The same fluid is processed within the engine side 120 and both the compressor sides 110a, 110a’ so that any leakage remains internal to the engine-compressor assembly 100” with no external leakages.

[0036] With continuing reference to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, Fig. 4 illustrates a further embodiment of the engine-compressor assembly. The same reference numbers used in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 are used in Fig. 4 to designate the same or corresponding parts, components or elements, which will not be described again. The embodiment of Fig. 4differs from the embodiment of Fig. 1 mainly in that the engine-compressor assembly 100 is coupled with a multi stage compressor 200 according to the prior art. In particular, the multi stage compressor 200 is coupled with the engine side of the enginecompressor assembly 100, the compressed gas of the multi stage compressor 200 being used as working fluid in the engine cylinder 20. The multi stage compressor 200 comprises a plurality of compression stages, namely a first compression stage 210, a second compression stage 220, a third compression stage 230 and a fourth or last compression stage 240, to compress the working fluid from a first pressure Pl, to a final pressure P5, through intermediate pressures P2, P3, P4. The working fluid at the outlet of the engine cylinder 20 is recirculated to the last compression stage 240 through a recirculation line 250.

[0037] The configuration of Fig.4 allows for operating the integral and fully enclosed compressor / engine of the present disclosure without venting the motion gas to the atmosphere, then allowing for the application of the compressor / engine to any kind of gas to be compressed. Moreover, the configuration of Fig.4 leverages the integral and fully enclosed compressor / engine of the present disclosure to furtherly increase the pressure downstream of the last stage of the multi stage compressor 200 for a portion of the total gas flow handled by the multi stage compressor 200. The working fluid to drive the cylinder engine 20 is also taken from the last compression stage 240 of the multi stage compressor 200 and sent back to the suction of the same stage after it has expanded inside the cylinder engine 20. With such configuration it is possible to store the compressed gas at two different pressure level, one filling a medium pressure storage 260 taking the gas from the last stage 240 of the multi stage compressor 200 and one filling a high pressure storage 270 taking the gas from the outlet of the compressor cylinder 10 part of the integral and fully enclosed compressor / engine 100.

[0038] Referring to Fig.5, with continuing reference to Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4, a further embodiment of the engine-compressor assembly arrangement is shown. Again, the same reference numbers designate the same or corresponding parts, elements or components already illustrated in Figs.1-4 and described above, and which will not be described again. The engine-compressor assembly of Fig.5 differs from the engine-compressor assembly of Fig.4 mainly in that the coupling with the traditional multi stage compressor 200 provides for the working fluid of the engine side of the engine-com-pressor assembly 100 being taken from an intermediate stage, namely the second compression stage 220 of the multi stage compressor 200, the recirculation line 250’ also connecting the outlet of the engine cylinder to the inlet of the same intermediate stage 220.

[0039] With continuing reference to Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, Fig. 6 illustrates a further embodiment of the engine-compressor assembly. The same reference numbers used in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 are used in Fig. 6 to designate the same or corresponding parts, components or elements, which will not be described again. The embodiment of Fig.6 differs from the embodiment of Figs. 4 and 5 mainly in that the engine-compressor assembly 100 is coupled with a multi stage compressor 200 to recover all gas leakages from the compression stages 210, 220, 230 through a recover line 280 sending the leaked gas of the multi stage compressor 200 to the compressor cylinder 10 of the engine-compressor assembly 100 to be compressed and sent back to the inlet of the first compression stage 210 of the multi stage compressor 200 through the recovered gas line 280’. The gas to drive the engine piston 25 moving inside the engine cylinder 20 of the engine-compressor assembly 100 is taken from one stage of the multi stage compressor 200, as an example from the discharge of the first stage 210, through the compressed fluid line 290, but it can be from any other compression stage, and sent back at the suction of the same stage 210 through the recirculation fluid line 290’.

[0040] Finally, with continuing reference to Fig. 1, Fig. 7 illustrates a further embodiment of the engine-compressor assembly. The same reference numbers used in Fig. 1 are used in Fig. 7 to designate the same or corresponding parts, components or elements, which will not be described again. The embodiment of Fig. 7 differs from the embodiment of Fig. 1 mainly in that a plurality of engine-compressor assemblies 100 are connected to form a multi stage compressor 500. In particular, the engine cylinders 20 of each engine-compressor assembly 100 forming the multi stage compressor 500 are fed by a common working fluid feed line 510, while the fluid coming from the engine cylinders 20 is collected by a common working fluid outlet line 520. On the compressor side, the compressor cylinder outlet 12 of each engine-compressor assembly 100 is connected to the compressor cylinder inlet 11 of a downstream engine-compressor assembly 100 through a respective compressed gas line 530. Such a configuration can be used when high total compression ratio is required.

[0041] In some embodiments, the bore of the engine cylinder 20 of each enginecompressor assembly 100 is greater than the bore of the engine cylinder 20 of the upstream engine-compressor assembly 100. In some other embodiments, the pressure of the working fluid entering each engine cylinder 20 of each engine-compressor assem- bly 100 is greater than the pressure of the working fluid entering the engine cylinder 20 of the upstream engine-compressor assembly 100.

[0042] While aspects of the invention has been described in terms of various specific embodiments, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications, changes, and omissions are possible without departing form the spirit and scope of the claims. In addition, unless specified otherwise herein, the order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments.

Claims

Integral and fully enclosed reciprocating engine-compressor assemblyCLAIMS1. An engine-compressor assembly (100) configured to compress a gas, comprising: one or more compressor enclosed spaces (10) configured to receive the gas to be compressed, hold the gas during compression and release the gas after compression; one or more compressor pistons (15) configured to move in alternating motion within the compressor enclosed spaces (10); one or more engine enclosed spaces (20) configured to receive a compressed motion gas, hold the motion gas during expansion of the motion gas and release the motion gas after expansion; one or more engine pistons (25) configured to move in alternating motion within the engine enclosed spaces (20);- the engine pistons (25) being integral with the compressor pistons (15); wherein the gas to be compressed is the same as the motion gas and the one or more compressor enclosed spaces (10) and the one or more engine enclosed spaces (20) are configured as an integral and fully enclosed space.

2. The engine-compressor assembly (100) of claim 1, wherein said engine-compressor assembly (100) further comprises a multi stage compressor (200), configured to compress the motion gas of the engine enclosed spaces (20), the outlet of the multi stage compressor (200) being fluidly coupled with the inlet of the engine enclosed spaces (20), the engine-compressor assembly (100) further comprising a motion gas recirculation line (250), the outlet of the engine enclosed spaces (20) being fluidly coupled with the inlet of one of the stages of the multi stage compressor (200) through said motion gas recirculation line (250).

3. The engine-compressor assembly (100) of claim 1 or 2, wherein said engine-compressor assembly (100) is configured to operate at a low operational velocity-4. The engine-compressor assembly (100) of one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said engine-compressor assembly (100) is configured to operate with long strokes.

5. The engine-compressor assembly (100) of one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said engine-compressor assembly (100) comprises a lubricated sealing system.

6. The engine-compressor assembly (100) of one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said engine-compressor assembly (100) comprises a dry sealing system.

7. A method of operating an engine-compressor assembly (100) according to any of claims 1-6, comprising: propelling mechanical motion with one or more engine systems (120); coordinating one or more compressor components (11, 12, 15) with one or more engine components (21, 22, 23, 24, 25); holding fluid in one or more enclosed spaces (10); maintaining consistency of fluid type across the compressor system (110) and the engine system (120); and ensuring fluid containment with a containment system.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising recirculating the fluid of the engine space to a compression stage of the engine systems.

9. The method of claim 7 or 8, further comprising enhancing output pressure when combined with a conventional compressor system (200).

10. The method of one or more of claims 7-9, further comprising managing fluid leakages when combined with a conventional compressor system (200).

11. The method of one or more of claims 7-10, further comprising withstanding fluid intake without causing catastrophic damages.

12. The method of one or more of claims 7-11, further comprising optimizing system size, maintaining a limited footprint.

13. The method of one or more of claims 7-12, further comprising ensuring effective containment with more efficient and reliable containment components.

14. The method of one or more of claims 7-13, further comprising oper- ating under controlled conditions, making operational phases close to isothermal.

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