Efficient helium recondensing using a 4 K pulse tube cryocooler

Abstract

This paper introduces helium recondensing in a 4000 l dewar using a 4 K pulse tube cryocooler at Amundsen–Scott research station at the South Pole. The helium dewar has a normal boil-off rate of 14 l/day. Two features of cooling the dewar neck by helium vapor and precooling helium gas to be liquefied ensured high efficiency of the pulse tube recondenser in this application. The liquefier/recondenser has being successfully operating in the dewar at South Pole station since February 2005. It not only maintains zero boil-off of the dewar, but also liquefies helium gas supplied from outside of the dewar with a rate around 2.7 l/day.