Description
The project will develop a new generation of cryogenic transfer lines that are energetically efficient and have only 10% of the thermal loses of the products currently available on the market. This is not simply an improvement of existing designs but a redesign of the product starting from first principles. This objective shall be realised through a combination of theoretical modelling using finite element analysis and practical tests to reduce thermal losses through conduction, convection and radiation. The modelling and the tests are closely related because the results of the practical tests shall be used to improve the theoretical models, which will then be used to fabricate the following set of prototypes in an iterative process until the objective has been achieved.
Summary of project results
In the first year, theoretical models were developed for the four types of cryogenic transfer lines with their range of diameters. By means of thermal and structural finite element calculations, we were able to reduce the losses due to conduction, convection and radiation in the models to about 10% with respect to the lines that are currently available on the market. In the second year we converted the theoretical models into technical drawings and procedures to fabricate four generations of components and line sections. We tested the sections with cryogenic liquids to measure the real thermal losses in static and dynamic situations. In each generation we observed a progressive reduction in losses which came close to reaching the theoretical results.
Summary of bilateral results