The project for Durand-Hollis Rupe Architects consisted of a new 9,680 SF Research Test Facility at the Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio, Texas. The new facility was designed to test a full-scale centrifugal compressor that separates out CO2 gases produced from burning coal and then liquefy that product so that it can be piped out and disposed of in an environmentally safe way.
The Turbomachinery Research Facility consisted of two High-Bay Spaces with a maximum interior height from floor slab to roof ridge approximately 45 feet, one for a Rotor Dynamics Lab and the other a Mixed Gas Lab, and a Control Room, Spin Pit, Tool Room, Equipment Storage, Restrooms, Communication Equipment Closet, Fire Riser Room and Electrical Room. The entire facility requires a temperature controlled environment.
Southwest Research Institute received a $9.9 million award from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for the project to improve compression technologies that help reduce carbon dioxide emissions at power plants. The project helps reduce utility bills and SwRI’s objective is to find the way to do this that will be the least expensive and most cost effective for less cost to be passed on to consumers.
Architect: DHR Architects
AAI: 1173