Effect of channel restrictions on the axial heat transport in subcooled superfluid helium

Abstract

The present study investigates the influence of partial restrictions on the axial heat transport and critical heat flux limits in subcooled superfluid helium (helium II) channels. Different size orifices are used to simulate partial plugging of superconducting magnets cooling channels by frozen oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, neon or moisture during the cool down process. Thin stainless steel sharp edged orifices of sizes 0.5, 1, 2 and 5 mm id are mounted between stainless steel flanges attached to 9 mm diameter (helium II) channel. The helium II channel is heated at one end with a copper block heater while the other end heat sinks to an atmospheric superfluid helium heat exchange. Temperature drop across the restriction is measured by two calibrated carbon resistors. Measurements are carried out at both temperatures ranging from 1.8 to 2.2 K. As the orifice/channel area ratio decreases, data show a considerable decrease in the axial heat transported by internal convection process resulting in lower critical heat flux at the phase transition from helium II to helium I by the destruction of superfluidity and inititation of boiling. A linear correlation between critical channel heat flux and orificeI channel area ratio gives a good fit to the experimental data. For heat fluxes higher than the critical heat flux, transient temperature measurements for a step heat input are correlated with the time required to reach the phase transition.