REFRIGERANT CIRCUIT WITH COMPRESSOR GAS BEARING FEED

A method is described for operating a refrigerant circuit that includes a compressor (10) with a driveshaft (18) and one or more gas bearings (22) for supporting the driveshaft. The method includes operating the refrigerant circuit in a first mode which includes supplying gaseous working fluid compressed by the compressor to the one or more gas bearings of the compressor, and the one or more gas bearings using the compressed gaseous working fluid to support the driveshaft. The method includes operating the refrigerant circuit in a second mode which includes supplying liquid working fluid to the one or more gas bearings of the compressor, and the one or more gas bearings using the liquid working fluid to support the driveshaft. A refrigerant circuit includes a compressor, a condenser (30), an expander (40), an evaporator (50), and a controller (90) configured to selectively operate the refrigerant circuit in at least a first mode and a second mode.