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Article | REF: BE9816 V1

Helium liquefaction and medium and high energy consumption helium refrigeration.

Author: Guy GISTAU BAGUER

Publication date: July 10, 2012

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ABSTRACT

This article presents two related activities: helium liquefaction and helium refrigeration (also called liquefaction/refrigeration). It aims to provide an understanding of the operation of the machinery, and presents certain design and construction methodologies. It uses examples to outline basic liquefaction/refrigeration cycles, and simple calculations relating to the key parameters of these cycles. Specific cycles, used to obtain high levels of power or temperatures below -268.65°C are then described and discussed. Several concise technological reminders on key components are given, focusing on the specific aspects of the use of these components for refrigeration/liquefaction purposes. Finally, the control process is described and linked to the continued effectiveness aspect according to the operating conditions.

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AUTHOR

  • Guy GISTAU BAGUER: Engineer École Nationale Supérieure des Arts et Métiers ENSAM - Former head of helium liquefaction/refrigeration at Air Liquide - Cryogenics Consultant

 INTRODUCTION

This dossier is part of a series of articles on cryogenics.

All cryogenic activity starts with obtaining low temperatures.

Temperatures above 80 K (– 193 °C), the approximate boiling point of liquid nitrogen, are obtained industrially during the liquefaction of natural gas (methane) [J 3 601] and the separation of gases from air [J 3 600] .

Liquid hydrogen, which boils at around 20 K (– 253°C), is also liquefied industrially in much smaller quantities [J 3 603] .

Helium, on the other hand, has a boiling point of around 4 K (– 269°C), and is a rarer, more expensive gas, reserved for uses such as superconductivity, which require very low temperatures. Helium liquefaction/refrigeration is currently an industrial activity, but its diffusion is still relatively limited, as it is linked to the development of superconductivity. The two main fields concerned are :

  • helium cooling and maintenance of the huge cryogenic structures of large gas pedals and particle storage rings for physics research;

  • helium liquefaction at production sites (helium is extracted from natural gas [J 3 605] for transportation and commercial distribution in liquid form, in order to reduce costs).

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KEYWORDS

hélium   |     |     |     |   cryogenic   |   refrigeration   |   liquéfaction

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Helium liquefaction and medium- to high-power helium refrigeration
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