Recent trials with the experimental helium liquefier developed by BARC

An experimental helium liquefier has been designed and fabricated by Cryo-Technology Division and installed at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai. The helium liquefaction process is based on a modified Collin's cycle consisting of one pre-cooler turboexpander, a pair of by-pass turboexpanders (warm and cold) and a series of 7 compact brazed plate fin high effectiveness heat exchangers. Liquid nitrogen pre-cooling facility along with another heat exchanger to recover cold of gaseous nitrogenhas also been provided in the system. After the full installation of the process compressor and its integration with the helium liquefier cold box, trial runs were started. A lowest temperature of about 7.8 K was registered in a temperature sensor located downstream of the JT valve.