HELIUM-LIQUEFACTION BY A CRYOCOOLER IN CLOSED-LOOP COOLING SYSTEM FOR 21 T FT-ICR MAGNETS

Abstract

The helium liquefaction system using a two-stage pulse tube cryocooler is developed. The main objective of this study is to confirm the feasibility of our recently proposed cryogenic design for a 21 T FT-ICR superconducting magnet system by the closed-loop concept without any replenishment of cryogen. Since the cold surface of a cryocooler is very limited, a cylindrical copper fin is thermally anchored to the first and second stage coldheads in order to extend the available heat transfer surface. A heat exchange tube is soldered on the outer surface of each cylindrical fin and heat exchange occurs between the tube and helium which is passing through the tube. The temperature distributions along the copper cylinder and heat exchanger are analyzed by the numerical method taking into account the fin efficiency of the extended surface. The effect of helium gas flow on the temperature distribution during cool-down process is also presented.