Fluid flow converter with support arrangement

An apparatus for converting fluid flow to rotation around a rotational axis, comprising:

• an apparatus inlet for receiving gaseous pressurized first fluid having a first density;
• an apparatus outlet for output of depressurized first fluid from the apparatus;
• at least a first stage including a coiled fluid conduit for accommodating transport of alternating batches of the first fluid and batches of a liquid second fluid having a second density from an inlet of the coiled fluid conduit of the first stage in fluid communication with the apparatus inlet towards an outlet of the coiled fluid conduit of the first stage when the coiled fluid conduit of the first stage rotates around the rotational axis, while depressurizing the first fluid and the second fluid to provide a pressure differential between the outlet and the inlet of the coiled fluid conduit of the first stage;
• a support arrangement holding the coiled fluid conduit of the first stage in such a way that a vertical level of a center of a circle formed by the inlet when the coiled fluid conduit is rotated around the rotational axis is lower than a vertical level of a center of a circle formed by the outlet when the coiled fluid conduit is rotated around the rotational axis, by a vertical offset distance selected such that a pressure exerted by a fluid column of second fluid having a height that is equal to the vertical offset distance substantially corresponds in magnitude to the pressure differential between the outlet and the inlet of the coiled fluid conduit of the first stage;
• and
• a first fluid separator of the first stage configured to receive the batches of the first fluid and the batches of the second fluid from the outlet of the coiled fluid conduit of the first stage, and separate the first fluid and the second fluid,
• wherein the first stage further comprises an intrastage flow channel of the first stage connecting the first fluid separator of the first stage with the inlet of the coiled fluid conduit of the first stage to allow second fluid separated by the first fluid separator of the first stage to be transported back towards the inlet of the coiled fluid conduit of the first stage.