Cryogenic Liquid Research Articles

Autonomous Vibrationless Temperature-Controlled Cryosystem for Optical Studies with a Spectroscopic Ellipsometer

Introduction. Ellipsometry is a highly sensitive, non-destructive optical method used to study the optical and structural properties of materials and thin films.Problem Statement. At the Institute of Semiconductor Physics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, the first in Ukraine serial spectroscopic ellipsometer SE-2000 (manufactured by SEMILAB Ltd., Hungary) has been employed for research, but its measurement capabilities are currently limited to room temperature.Purpose. This research aims to expand the functionality of the SE-2000 by creating a temperature-controlled cryosystem that operates within a temperature range from –195 оC to +80 оC (approximately 80—353 K).Materials and Methods. An autonomous, precision, vibrationless, cryosystem has been designed and manufactured for low-temperature optical investigations in reflection mode, based on a gas-flow cryostat. The cryosystem includes a cryostat, a microprocessor temperature controller, and an adjustment table.Results. The cryostat operates on a gas-flow principle. A laminar gas flow is generated by excess pressure achieved through the heating of cryogenic liquid by a heater-evaporator in the feeder tank. The flow intensity is regulated by adjusting the power supplied to the heating element, eliminating vibrations in the cryostat and sample. The heat exchange chamber is positioned at the top of the nitrogen tank, with the test sample mounted in horizontal plane. Incident and reflected light beams interact with the sample from the upper hemisphere. Sample positioning is adjustable via translational motion along three Cartesian coordinates and by tilting the cryostat with the help of the adjustment table.Conclusions. This system is suitable for use in optical devices that operate in specular reflection mode, with access to the sample surface from the upper hemisphere.

Jc(B) transformer rectifier flux pump optimisation via simulation

Abstract Superconducting power supplies commonly known as flux pumps are becoming viable products in various industries. In this work we investigate magnetically switched ( J c ( B ) ) half-wave transformer rectifier flux pumps (TRFPs) via a simulation previously validated against an experimental system. Upgrades to the model are introduced, namely the transition to a fully hysteretic transformer reluctance model and the introduction of a conduction cooling thermal model. The conduction cooling model allows direct comparison between liquid cryogen and conduction cooled systems, highlighting the distinct variations in response. This study focuses on parameter sweeps over some of the most important aspects of a TRFP such as; input power, cooling paths and switch length. The findings from these variable sweeps shed light on how to best design the different aspects of a TRFP for most applications and the conclusions drawn throughout this work can be applied to most TRFP types. Some of the major findings from this work are; i. the need for dedicated cooling busses in TRFP switches, ii. that increased switch lengths increase voltage generation but negatively impact cooling effectiveness iii. that the reduction of the metallic coatings surrounding commercial coated conductors results in larger switch voltages.

Potential of thermal protection improvements in large-scale cryostat development

Tremendous efforts are being pursued by experimentalists worldwide in the designing of cryostats to minimize the most dominant radiation heat load over the cryogenic liquid kept inside it. These endeavors are imperative to secure the safe, consistent, and reliable performance of detectors, notably for experiments delving into the investigation of rare physics events, particularly those moving towards ton-scale capacities. In these experiments, maintaining a stable temperature of the cryogenic liquid is crucial. This stability helps in minimizing thermal noise and reducing the loss of cryogenic liquid by mitigating its evaporation rate, and this can be accomplished by reducing the ambient heat load coming from the outer hot wall towards the inner cold wall of the cryostat. Current work scrutinized the impacts of having no insulation, a single-layer insulation, and Multilayer Insulation (MLI) techniques on thermal protection from environmental heat loads at the cryostat’s cold wall boundary, with a particular emphasis on the effectiveness of a single-layer insulation strategy against radiative heat load, a key precursor to MLI technology. The effectiveness of single-layer insulation was quantitatively analyzed for reducing heat load in large-scale rare event searches, using GERDA as an illustrative example and focusing on an optimized configuration. Performance metrics include ambient temperature, cryogenic liquid, emissivity, and the placement of insulation for optimal efficiency. The incorporation of a single intermediate layer positioned near the cold wall boundary results in a significant heat load reduction of 57% for the GERDA geometry compared to a scenario without such a layer. A feasible decrease in emissivity from the customary O(0.01) for insulation materials down to O(0.001–0.0001) could bring about substantial reductions in heat load, potentially by factors spanning approximately 8 to 90. In the scenario involving liquid helium (4.15 K), for example, as the ambient temperature surrounding the cryogen is lowered to (200, 150, 100, 50) K from room temperature, the heat load diminishes by 80%, 94%, 98.8%, and 99.9%, respectively. Moreover, optimally positioning single intermediate layer, crafted from ultra-radiopure material, as close as achievable to the cold wall boundary with minimal emissivity can yield a substantial reduction in heat load, estimated ∼(40–60)%, thereby diminishing the evaporation rate of the cryogenic liquid.

Risk assessment of gas plume dispersion in bunkering of alternative fuel through validated computational fluid dynamics approach

Abstract Maritime decarbonization is crucial in fighting climate change. Adopting low-carbon alternative fuels could help reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 50% by 2050 compared to 2008. While liquified natural gas (LNG) has gained a strong foothold in the maritime sector over the past decades, the trend is shifting toward adopting lower and zero-carbon hydrogen and its carriers, such as methanol and ammonia, as alternative fuels. Quantifying risks from accidental leakages during storage and transfer of these alternative fuels using numerical models is required and commonly adopted in industries. The process leverages multiple models and tools for risk assessments with different accuracy levels and costs ranging from integral models to Lagrangian techniques and Eulerian approaches such as computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Increasingly, CFD approaches are employed for near-field dispersion analysis to assess the risk of accidental leakages. Despite their high computational cost, CFD models offer better accuracy than integral and Lagrangian models. In this work, we developed a CFD-based framework as a quantitative tool for risk assessment purposes. Our framework aims to (1) offer finer gas dispersion resolution with a detailed representation of surrounding structures and geometries, (2) minimize reliance on assumptions and empirical models to capture flow dynamics and gas dispersions accurately, and (3) mitigate conservative estimates and over-design of safety measures. The framework was validated using experimental data from various field tests, including a recent one involving releasing cryogenic liquids into the atmosphere. After successfully validating and comparing with experiments and other available tools, the proposed framework investigated gas plume dispersion from accidental leakages during fuel bunkering operations in ship-to-ship and shore-to-ship scenarios. The data obtained from CFD simulations was subsequently utilized to construct a surrogate model for fast prediction of gas plume behavior under varying environmental conditions. This facilitated the development of an effective emergency response plan.

Transforming Traditional Photovoltaic Panels into Thermal/ Photovoltaic Panels Incorporating Composite-Phase Change Materials

Solar panels are constantly evolving, with changes occurring in the materials used, panel shapes, and the method used to attach solar cells to the panels. Solar radiation consists of two components: photovoltaic energy, which is used to generate electricity via photovoltaic panels, and thermal energy, which, on the other hand, can reduce the efficiency of photovoltaic panels. Thermal photovoltaic panels are a recent breakthrough in the industry as they use light to generate energy and heat to reheat cryogenic liquid for a variety of purposes. One subtype that is gaining popularity is hybrid photovoltaic thermal panels, which are designed to enhance heat use by adding a heat storage medium, with phase change materials being a noteworthy example. ​ Despite their numerous benefits, these materials have limited heat conductivity, necessitating substantial research efforts to improve this attribute. However, most research focus solely on enhancing conductivity without applying the findings to PV panels in a comprehensive manner. This study fills this gap by reviewing the phase change materials accessible locally, picking Iraqi wax, researching additions, selecting micro- particles of aluminum oxide (Al2O3), investigating the mixing procedure, and calculating the ideal mixing ratio (6% additive to wax). The combination is then placed to a normal solar panel, resulting in a hybrid photovoltaic panel with a complicated phase transition material reinforced with aluminum oxide.

A large-scale-outdoor continuous release of cryogenic liquid onto ground

The accidental release of cryogenic liquids can cause several hazards to humans, assets, and the environment. Therefore, this phenomenon has drawn significant attention and has been investigated as part of quantitative risk assessment associated with the use of cryogenic liquids. However, the effects of release conditions on pool spread have not been thoroughly studied, and the mechanism of pool retraction has not been discussed. In this study, an attempt was made to address these gaps by both experimental and numerical analyses. Firstly, large-scale-outdoor release tests with a systematic measurement system were performed using liquid nitrogen to compare with large-scale release tests of liquid hydrogen. The release height and orientation were varied. It was observed that the pool shape was affected by the release orientation. However, the maximum pool size and average vaporization rate were insensitive to both the release height and orientation. The conductive heat from the ground was confirmed to be the major heat source for pool vaporization, accounting for over 90 % of the total heat transferred into the liquid pool. Subsequently, release scenarios were simulated using integral source models. Especially, several hypotheses were thoroughly discussed, implemented in the source models, and validated against experimental results to determine the most appropriate mechanism for pool retraction. The findings of this study are expected to be beneficial for the consequence estimation of cryogenic release scenarios and for the validation and improvement of source models.

Some aspects of reliability prediction of chemical industry and hydrogen energy facilities (vessels, machinery and equipment) operated in emergency situations and extreme conditions

This work is aimed at a comprehensive solution to the problem of reliable and safe operation of a transport energy system with a high energy concentration based on a universal energy carrier - cryogenic liquid hydrogen.The article discusses the possibility of using various methods and techniques to assess the reliability of machines and equipment operated in emergency situations and extreme conditions. The obtained results are analyzed.Currently, the oil and gas complex pays great attention to the development of hydrogen technologies, as well as hydrogen energy in connection with the relevance of the Climate Agenda. In this regard, hydrogen energy facilities are of the greatest interest: cryogenic hydrogen reservoirs, cryogenic hydrogen pipelines, cryogenic oxygen reservoirs and cryogenic oxygen pipelines, as well as cryogenic reservoirs and pipelines for storing process nitrogen gas. An important role for global energy exchange is played by LH2 tankers for transporting cryogenic hydrogen. For example, Australia and Japan built the first LH2 tanker to transport hydrogen from Australia to Japan. In addition, another 85 LH2 tankers are expected to be built.After transportation, cryogenic hydrogen is stored in cryogenic hydrogen storages, usually also representing cryogenic hydrogen tanks with piping in the form of cryogenic pipelines, as well as cryogenic nitrogen tanks for storing process nitrogen gas. Further, hydrogen is used in road transport, aviation, ship fleet, industry, and energy. The main elements of mobile, stationary and airborne hydrogen storage systems are under critical loads and are in the area of increased study and attention.In this regard, we considered the functions of changing the main operational characteristics, made proposals on the possibility of predicting the development of accumulated faults and proposals for ensuring safety and extending the life of objects, taking into account the determination of local and integral damage to cryogenic tanks and pipelines.

Experimental study on the mechanism of nanoparticles improving the stability of high expansion foam

AbstractHigh expansion (Hi‐Ex) foam is recommended to suppress the leakage and diffusion of cryogenic liquid due to its light weight and large volume. However, the disadvantages of low stability and high break rate under environmental conditions are all limited the further application in vapor mitigation and fire extinguishing. So that, this paper focus on the effect and mechanism of nanoparticles in stabilizing Hi‐Ex foam. Three kinds of nanoparticles with different concentration were selected to evaluate the effect of foam half‐life and the mechanism of particles on improving the foam stability. The results indicated that different particle concentrations can improve the foam stability to a specific extent, and the maximum improving of half‐life can increase by 95.4% in the presence of the hydrophilic SiO2 at .5 wt%. Meanwhile, the hydrophilicity, size, and morphology of the particles have a specific impact on the foam stability. The foam expansion rate first increased and then decreased. From the microscopic point of view, the bubble size gradually increases with time by two processes of ripening and coalescence and satisfied in a logarithmic distribution. While, the liquid film thickness remarkably decreases due to foam drainage without particles and the adsorption and accumulation of nanoparticles on foam lamella can provide a spatial barrier for the film thinning and the inter bubble diffusion. Finally, the microscopic interaction mechanism on improving the foam stability has been further explored and revealed in these two aspects.

Freeze-Vulnerable Plastic Crystal to Cryogenic Liquid Electrolyte for Lithium Batteries by Deep Freezing-Point Depression.

Low-Tf solvents (Tf = freezing point) are considered and employed for low-temperature lithium-ion battery (LIB) electrolytes to keep electrolytes in the liquid phase at low temperatures. Unfortunately, Tf is synchronized with Tb (boiling point) so low Tf brings Tb down and therefore discourages the thermal stability of electrolytes using low-Tf solvents. In this work, 1) the hot wing of LIB-working temperature by employing a high-Tb (inevitably high-Tf) solvent and 2) the cold wing by using a significant Tf depression is secured. Sulfolane is employed as the high-Tf (therefore, high-Tb) and high-Kf (Kf = cryoscopic constant) solvent since its mesomorphic state between solid and liquid. That abnormally and significantly decreases the enthalpy of fusion, and resultantly grants extremely high Kf at 66.4Km-1. By employing sulfolane with 2m lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI), the liquid-phase temperature window down to <-80°C for the cold wing and simultaneously guaranteed its flash point at >+150°C for the hot wing is successfully extended. LIB cells with lithium iron phosphate and lithium metal worked in a good stand with 2m LiTFSI/sulfolane at room temperature, -30°C as an ambient cold, -74°C as a deep cold, and +80°C as a deep hot.

Simulation of the micro-gas desublimation crystallization during pressurization of cryogenic propellant

The desublimation crystallization of trace impurity gas at the temperature of liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen is a common problem in cryogenic engineering, which usually leads to the failure of cryogenic liquid transportation. Liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen are important aerospace propellants. In the pressurization process of cryogenic liquid propellant, a small amount of water vapor and other gases in the pressurized gas would appear desublimation and crystallization at low temperature. Inevitably, as the tail gas of hydrogen combustion, water vapor sometimes diffused into cryogenic liquid. This kind of desublimation crystallization was accompanied by heat and mass transfer, accompanied by gas-solid phase transition, moving boundary, random and extremely complicated crystallization growth process. It was of great engineering practical significance to study the heat and mass transfer mechanism and law of this complex desublimation phase change phenomenon for the progress and development of engineering technologies such as refrigeration, cryogenics and aerospace. In this paper, based on the homogeneous desublimation theory, the pressurization system of liquid oxygen tank with oxygen containing trace water vapor was taken as the research object, and the basic data of ice crystal formation and growth during pressurization, such as crystallization quantity, crystallization speed and size distribution, were calculated theoretically. It provided a theoretical basis for the experimental study of the real dynamic characteristics and laws of desublimation crystallization in the propulsion system. The research methods and conclusions in this paper also had some guiding significance for the use of liquid hydrogen in the storage, transportation and use of the hydrogen energy.

Modelling and analysis of a superconducting magnetic coupler used for cryogenic pump

AbstractIt is difficult to achieve low heat leakage and leak‐free rotary sealing for conventional small‐ and medium‐sized cryogenic liquid pumps (CLPs). This is because the motor in a room‐temperature environment is connected to the pump impeller (in a cryogenic environment) via a long transmission shaft. An axial flux‐concentration superconducting magnetic coupler (AFCSMC) is proposed for CLP to eliminate the transmission shaft. Firstly, the structure and the operation mechanism of AFCSMC are described. Then, a 2D electromagnetic modelling method for AFCSMC is established based on the H‐φ formulation and also validated experimentally in terms of the prediction on the levitation force and the guidance force. Thus, the 2D numerical simulations of AFCSMC are performed in an equivalent static system instead of the actual double rotor motion system in which the moving mesh is quite complicated. It is investigated that dependences of the transmission torque on the key electromagnetic structural parameters, such as permanent magnet arrangement, number of pole‐pairs, ferromagnetic yoke, operating slip, and so on. The results indicate that the average transmitting torque is less affected by the operating slip, and AFCSMC can start asynchronously and operate in steady state with a synchronous speed. With the advantages of low loss, risk‐free of desynchronising, and overload protection, the proposed AFCSMC can provide a competitive candidate for mechanical power transmission technologies in cryogenic engineering.

Research on effective thermal conductivity of hollow glass microspheres under vacuum at low temperature

As insulation materials with excellent thermal insulation properties, high robustness, and low maintenance costs, hollow glass microspheres (HGM) are gradually being applied in large liquid hydrogen storage tanks. However, the low-temperature insulation mechanism of HGMs is still unknown, and the insulation effect of HGMs of different types under various conditions has been neglected in recent decades. In this study, an existing theoretical model was improved by considering the gas thermal conductivity equations under various pressure intervals, and an experimental platform was built based on the steady vertical heat flux method to measure the effective thermal conductivities of three commercially available HGM models. The effective thermal conductivities of HGM models K1, T15, and HL20 at 0.1 Pa were 10, 8.9, and 7.6 mW/(m·K), respectively. The values decreased to 2.5, 2.9, and 2.0 mW/(m·K), respectively, when the cold boundary temperature was 90 K. To analyse the effect of the HGM physical parameters and environment on the HGM insulation, the thermal conductivities were calculated using the derived theoretical model. It was found that continuing to reduce the pressure after the ambient pressure reached 10 Pa hardly improved the insulation performances of the HGMs. The radiative heat transfer was very sensitive to temperature changes and jointly dominated the heat transfer with integrated thermal conductivity in the low-temperature region. In summary, HGMs are advanced vacuum-insensitive insulation materials, which have great potential in the field of cryogenic liquid storage and transportation.

Numerical study on collapsing cavitation bubble dynamics in cryogenic fluids

The paper addresses the implementation of a dual distribution function multiphase lattice Boltzmann method (DDF-MLBM) for studying the collapse of cavitation bubbles in cryogenic liquids. The present scheme incorporates the energy equation and imposes interparticle interactions and fluid–solid adhesive forces through the exact difference method (EDM). To accurately model phase changes and the molecular complexities of cryogenic fluids like liquid hydrogen (LH2) and liquid nitrogen (LN2), the Peng-Robinson (PR) equation of state is employed along with an acentric factor. The accuracy of the present numerical technique is evaluated using the Laplace law and the Maxwell equal area construction theorem for a two-phase liquid–vapor system in equilibrium. For transient solutions, the study compares results of heterogeneous cavitation with the analytical solution derived from the thermal Rayleigh-Plesset equation. The research investigates the impact of the distance between a cavitation bubble with an adjacent solid wall on velocity, pressure, temperature, and collapse time. Furthermore, it is assessed how surface wettability influences cavitation bubble collapse intensity. Additionally, the paper examines the collapse of a cavitation bubble cluster and evaluates the effects of different physical parameters on the collapse properties of the bubble cluster. The results underscore the significant influence of the distance between cavitation bubbles in the cluster, the distance between bubbles and the adjacent solid surface on the micro-jet velocity. Moreover, it is found that increasing the contact angle of the solid surface enhances the collapse intensity and micro-jet velocity of the collapsing bubble cluster.

Infrared spectra and density functional theory calculations of frequencies and intensities of 2-methyl-1,3-butadiene (isoprene) in liquid solutions of xenon (164 K) and argon (86 K)

The mid-infrared spectra of isoprene (2-methyl-1,3-butadiene) dissolved in liquid xenon at temperatures ranging from 164 K to 178 K were obtained using a Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer and a low temperature cryostat. Additionally, spectra in the C–H region (2800–3200 cm−1) were obtained in liquid argon at 86 K. Spectra in cryogenic liquids show all hidden bands underneath the gas phase spectra. Frequencies of isoprene in liquid argon and liquid xenon solutions are lower with respect to gas phase. Density functional theory (DFT) was employed to calculate vibrational frequencies. Solvent effects were studied using the polarizable continuum model (PCM) demonstrating qualitative agreement with experimental frequency shifts in liquid Ar and Xe. This investigation is important for IR absorption studies of planetary atmospheres where the temperatures are similar (80 K–200 K) and the spectra could resemble the pseudo gas spectra in cryogenic liquids.

Воздействие криогенных сред и струйного горения на эпоксидные интумесцентные композиции, предназначенные для защиты оборудования и строительных конструкций нефтегазового комплекса

The article discusses the studies of epoxy intumescent fire-protective coating of steel structures impacted by cryogenic media and jet fire, in accordance with the requirements of the methodology developed at the Orenburg branch of the Federal State Autonomous Educational Institution of Higher Education VNIIPO EMERCOM of Russia, and harmonized with the international standards ISO 22899-1:2021, ISO 20088-1:2016, and ISO 20088-3. The tests have been conducted with the epoxy fire- and cryogenic-protective intumescent composition «Plamkor-5» (produced by JSC Scientific and Production Holding «VMP», Yekaterinburg, Russia). According to the results of the test for resistance of a square-shaped sample with internal dimensions 1500×1500×500 mm and a central shelf made of 10 mm thick carbon steel coated with the fire-retardant composition «Plamkor-5» to cryogenic fluid spill, it has been established that the sample does not reach the critical temperature of minus 49 °C with an actual 22.37 mm dry layer thickness. The average sample temperature at the 60th minute of the test was minus 32.09 °C. The results of the test of a similar sample in order to determine the resistance of the fire-protective composition «Plamkor-5» to a jet fire with an actual 10,89 mm thickness of the protective dry layer have shown that the sample does not reach the critical temperature of 500 °С during 60-minute fire exposure, whereas the average temperature of the sample was only 37 % (184.84 ºС) of the temperature limit value. According to the results of the test for resistance of a steel column shape sample of I-section 25K2 coated with the fire-retardant composition «Plamkor-5» to spill under the pressure of the cryogenic liquid, it has been established that the sample does not reach the critical temperature of minus –49 °С with an actual 23.78 mm dry layer thickness, whereas the average temperature of the sample at the 60th minute of test was minus 48.38 °С. The obtained results are comparable with the effect of the best import analogs; therefore, «Plamkor-5»-based fire-protective coatings can be used for the design and development of fire protection of building structures, at the facilities of the oil and gas industry, in tunnel structures, and civil engineering.

Rarefied Flow Simulations of Heat Transfer Across Evacuated Cryogenic Tank Insulation Structures

The Direct Simulation Monte Carlo Method computations are performed to investigate the heat transfer across highly evacuated cryogenic tank insulation structures. These structures usually consist of one cold and one hot wall with a temperature difference up to 260 K surrounding a rarefied gas which originates from permeating or leaking propellant. To validate the flow solver PICLas for this application, heat transfer results across parallel flat plates with nonflowing gaseous hydrogen and methane are compared to empirical relations of rarefied gas heat transfer and reference computations, showing good agreement with a deviation of less than 11%. Because gas flow usually occurs during and after evacuation, the heat transfer and skin friction coefficient in a symmetrical hydrogen channel flow with a wall distance of 30 mm is compared with literature data, showing a good match with a Nusselt number deviation of less than 20%. Furthermore, honeycomb tank insulation structures are analyzed, which can be used for future cryogenic liquid rocket tanks. Here, rarefied flow simulations are performed for slitted honeycomb structures with and without throughflow of hydrogen gas at a Knudsen number of 1.5 and transitional flow conditions at a Knudsen number of 0.1. The heat transfer results at the honeycomb sandwich are 50 to 70% below empirical relations for heat transfer across flat plates. Throughflow does not affect the heat transfer across the honeycomb because the Peclet number is less than 0.01.

Speed of sound in methane under conditions of planetary interiors

We present direct observations of acoustic waves in warm dense matter. We analyze wave-number- and energy-resolved x-ray spectra taken from warm dense methane created by laser heating a cryogenic liquid jet. X-ray diffraction and inelastic free-electron scattering yield sample conditions of 0.3±0.1 eV and 0.8±0.1 g/cm−3, corresponding to a pressure of ∼13 GPa. Inelastic x-ray scattering was used to observe the collective oscillations of the ions. With a highly improved energy resolution of ∼50 meV, we could clearly distinguish the Brillouin peaks from the quasielastic Rayleigh feature. Data at different wave numbers were utilized to derive a sound speed of 5.9±0.5 km/s, marking a high-temperature data point for methane and demonstrating consistency with Birch's law in this parameter regime. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Preliminary experimental studies into the storage capacity of cryogenic hydrogen in aerogel blanket materials

The abundance and diversity of hydrogen applications necessitates continued and accelerated research into advanced storage technologies. Traditionally, hydrogen has been stored as either a high-pressure, warm gas; or a low-pressure, cryogenic liquid. Methods such as cryo-supercritical and cryo-adsorbed have been explored, but are not yet mainstream. Cryo-adsorbed is attractive because higher storage densities at higher temperatures than liquid may be achieved. Recently NASA, in partnership with Eta Space, Southwest Research Institute, the University of Central Florida, and Air Liquide, have been exploring the use of inexpensive, commercially available silica aerogel blanket materials for cryo-adsorbed hydrogen storage. Unlike most adsorbents, aerogel blanket is not a powder, but a robust, composite material that can be formed into complex shapes to aid in more efficient storage system designs, and has already been proven to uptake large quantities of fluids such as nitrogen and oxygen. Recent experimental efforts into the uptake of low-pressure hydrogen gas at 77 K, and liquid hydrogen at normal boiling point (NBP) will be discussed. Although preliminary in nature, the test results are promising, showing up to a 49% increase in storage density at 77 K over the gas alone, and greater than a one-to-one volume equivalency with NBP LH2.

A protocol for accurately calibrating thermocouples at cryogenic temperatures

To study the quenching characteristics of materials in a cryogenic liquid bath transient temperature measurements of high accuracy are necessary. Thermocouple is an ideal tool for this application because of its low self-heat capacity. However, they require calibration before usage that require multiple fixed-point temperatures. The common fixed-point temperatures are the water-ice melting temperature, the dry ice sublimation temperature, and the boiling temperature of liquid nitrogen. It is important to note that there are uncertainties associated with dry ice sublimation and liquid nitrogen boiling temperature inherent to the heat and mass transport phenomenon at their phase-changing interface or inside the bulk medium. The dry ice temperature is influenced by the mass transport phenomenon occurring at the interface between the dry ice and the ambient surrounding it. In a typical lab environment, dry ice temperature is significantly lower than the commonly quoted sublimation temperature of -78.5 °C at 1.013 bar. In the case of liquid nitrogen stored in a cryostat, temperature gradients develop in the liquid bath. This paper describes a protocol for calibrating thermocouples by accurately defining and using fixed-point temperatures of dry ice in a saturated environment and a liquid nitrogen slush.

Cryogenic aspects of a 20 MW class low-temperature superconducting generator for the renewables industry

In this paper we give a progress update on the cryogenic design for cooling a 20 MW class, partially superconducting generator with stationary field coils for offshore wind renewables industry [1-2]. This is a continuation of an earlier program on a 10 MW system dating back ten years. Whereas this new power rating increase leads to a radial diameter expansion of the superconducting field coils from 4 to > 9.5 m, it maintains the axial length. We show the design based on this scaled up with enlarged diameter. The field coil size increase asks for higher cooling power that leads to a bigger cold box size to accommodate the cryocoolers. In the design, as many as 8 cryocoolers can be accessed and serviced from the nacelle that houses the main cryogenic components. A typical thermal load balance sheet with all components is given and compared against the available cryocooler cooling power at different operating conditions. Due to the cryocoolers’ local point of contact cooling within the nacelle, the temperature gradient of the thermal shield that fully encloses the cold mass with its embedded field coils needs to be balanced out to minimize the heat burden on the field coils. This requires additional analytical efforts and implementation of further design features. The extended nacelle houses the cold box with its cryogenic infrastructure. The interface for the envisaged cryogenic pushbutton closed-loop circulating system remains invisible, requires no handling of cryogenic liquids and is hermetically closed. The field coil diameter increase also leads to a greater initial helium gas storage volume. In addition, it requires higher initial room temperature fill pressure within the toroidal helium vapor storage tanks and in cooling tubes connecting to the cryocoolers. The toroidal helium gas tanks are thermally coupled with the thermal shield so that helium convection inside the storage tank can improve heat transfer and reduce the temperature gradient of the thermal shield. Besides those heat transfer challenges, additional mechanical strain within this large structure is exerted on the torque tubes during initial cooldown and when energizing field coils. Some of those design challenges are quite unexpected, leading to novel workarounds in order to maintain the chosen cooling strategy. Finally, we assess those design limitations in view of further cryogenic scalability with emphasis on manufacturability and assembly.