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Sapphire Technologies expands into data center cooling compressors
November 11, 2026
New oil-free centrifugal compressor platform incorporates magnetic bearing technology used in the company’s natural gas turboexpanders
Sapphire Technologies has launched a new line of oil-free centrifugal compressors designed for air-cooled chillers serving AI data centers, expanding its turbomachinery business beyond natural gas infrastructure and energy recovery applications.
The Cypress, California-based company said its High Lift Oil-Free Compressor platform is designed to operate in demanding cooling environments, including ambient temperatures up to 140 degrees F. The compressors are intended to help chiller manufacturers meet growing demand for cooling equipment as data center development accelerates.
The two-stage centrifugal compressors feature high-speed permanent-magnet motors supported by active magnetic bearings. The platform supports configurations with refrigeration capacities up to 8,000 tons, according to the company.
Sapphire said the compressors can operate with AC or DC power supplies, including an 800 VDC configuration designed for emerging data center electrical distribution systems.
“Chiller manufacturers are responding to hyperscaler demand by launching new air-cooled chiller models,” said Freddie Sarhan, CEO of Sapphire Technologies. “But the compressors the industry relies on were built for a different era and a different duty.”
The new product line builds on technology developed by Sapphire and parent company Calnetix for industrial and defense applications, as well as Sapphire’s FreeSpin in-line turboexpanders, which recover energy from pressure reductions in natural gas pipelines.
Sapphire said it used magnetic bearing and permanent-magnet rotor components from its existing turbomachinery products to accelerate development of the new compressor platform.
The company has begun accepting orders and expects to deliver its first commercial compressors by February 2027.
Sapphire also supplies magnetic bearings, controls and power electronics to chiller manufacturers and develops power generation and cooling technologies for natural gas infrastructure and industrial applications.
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