Development of a high capacity single stage GM cryocooler at 30 K range

Abstract

Recently, there has been a demand for high-performance cryocoolers at the 30 K range to support emerging developments in high-temperature superconductors, green hydrogen power systems and circulating cooling system applications. The Low Pressure Cooler (LPC), a mobile circulating cooling system used to cool down superconducting magnets, mainly MRI’s, is currently a four cold head system running with four compressors. There is a strong demand to develop a more compact system to replace the LPC to cool down legacy and helium-free MRI magnets, which addresses ease of use, faster cool down, low power consumption, and simplifies handling and logistics. A more efficient large capacity cold head can replace multiple smaller cold heads and achieve these demands. Sumitomo (SHI) Cryogenics of America, Inc. has developed a high-capacity single-stage GM cryocooler, CH-160D2LT, for low temperature, circulating cooling and HTS applications. It has a capacity of 200 W around 30 K at 60 Hz, which is described in this paper. This cryocooler is part of the high-performance, low-noise, high capacity single-stage CH-160D2 Cryocooler family. This paper will discuss developments such as the cryocooler’s performance, heat exchanger efficiencies and regenerator designs.