Conceptualization and development of a helium liquéfier at BARC, Mumbai Chakravarty Anindya1,2, Ahmed Naseem1,2, Goyal Mukesh1,2, Menon Rajendran S.1,2, Rane Tejas1,2, Jadhav Mohananand1,2, Nair Sandeep R.1,2, Arun S.1,2, Kumar Jitendra1,2, Singh Trilok1,2, Ghosh Sandip K.1,2 1Cryo-Technology Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, India 2Former Head, Cryo-Technology Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, India Abstract Indigenous development of helium liquefiers is regarded as a high priority area at BARC, Mumbai. A pre-cooled Collin's cycle based helium liquefier conceived to work between pressure limits of 0.105 and 1.3 MPa(a) and with mass flow rate of 62 g/s is reported in the present paper. The system is designed to achieve a liquefaction rate of about 57 l/hr with the lowest temperature as 4.86K. Effect of different heat exchanger effectiveness and turbine efficiency values on the liquefier performance has also been theoretically studied and reported here. Design and development methodology of the liquefier cold box has been dealt with. The present paper also describes the current state of installation and commissioning activities of the above described helium liquefier at BARC, Mumbai. First trial runs are expected soon after the completion of the transferline circuit from the liquefier cold box to the liquid helium receiver vessel. Top Keywords Helium liquefier, Cold box, Expansion turbine, Compact brazed plate, Fin heat exchanger. Top |