Design optimization of heat exchanger used in cryopump cooling circuit for a typical fusion machine: A parametric study

The supercritical helium (SHe) is typically used for cooling the cryopanels of cryopumps employed in large applications like fusion machine. The heat absorbed by SHe is dumped to liquid helium (LHe) in the heat exchanger. The typical SHe to LHe heat exchanger for such an application of 5.18 KW has been designed. The optimization of heat exchanger design has been carried out by performing the parametric study to investigate the effect of various design specific parameters on the size and weight of the heat exchanger. The objective of design optimization was to minimize the weight of heat exchanger respecting all design requirements. The design has been also optimized by selecting standard components and materials. The results have been analyzed considering the economics of heat exchanger. The paper discusses about the thermo-hydraulic and mechanical design of heat exchanger as well as parametric study performed for design optimization.