Mini Project 5 Presentation
MechSE / ME401
Ana Guzman, Sarath Subramaniyan
Sebastian Sanchez
Cryogenics Timeline
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Ship Board Refrigeration
Relevance: Around 1798, there was growing concern about food shortages
which highlighted the importance of storage and transportation as a critical
point toward overcoming this crisis.
• Attempts:
- 1873: 20 tons of beef aboard the S.S. Norfolk were spoiled after there
was a rapid consumption of the materials used since the principle was
a cold room based on ice and salt, without the implementation of any
other system.
- 1875: S.S. Northam departed with a refrigeration system using
ammonia, however, due to the presence of leakage, the entire cargo
was ruined.
• Achievement:
- 1869 Air - Chilling systems used on steamship
Agnes.
- Use of Gorrie’s dry air system on ships.
- 1877 Patent of Air - Cycle refrigerator.
- 1879 First meat cargo S.S. Strathleven
manages to successfully transports meat during
a journey of almost two months.
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Heike Kamerlingh Onnes: Pioneering Cryogenics & Superconductivity
1. Liquefaction of Helium (1908):
• Achievement: First to liquefy helium at temperatures
close to absolute zero (-268.8°C, 4.2 K).
• Setup: Using Linde technique, pre-cooling
compressed helium to the freezing point of hydrogen,
[1] Linde–Hampson liquefaction cycle
then using Joule-Thomson expansion to liquefy it.
• Significance: Enabled unprecedented low-
temperature research, transforming cryogenics.
2. Discovery of Superconductivity (1911):
• Achievement: Found that electrical resistance in
mercury vanished at liquid helium temperatures (4.2 K)
• Setup: Mercury wire in U-shaped capillary tube,
immersed in liquid helium for resistance
measurements.
• Significance: Discovery of superconductivity,
revolutionizing the understanding of electrical [2] First observation of superconductivity in pure [1] Apparatus used by Kamerlingh Onnes for
conductivity. mercury by Kamerlingh Onnes the liquefaction of helium
[1] Sharma, R.G. (2021). Introduction. In: Superconductivity. Springer Series in Materials Science, vol 214. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-75672-7_1
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING [2] H. K. Onnes, Commun. Phys. Lab.12,120, (1911); http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/Solids/scdis.html
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LOX-RP-1 Propelled Atlas ICBM
1. Use of Cryogenic Liquid Oxygen (1957)
● One of the first test fires of a missile using LOX as an oxidizer
● Laid the groundwork for future space missions
● LOX allowed for more efficient combustion with RP-1
○ RP-1 is a highly refined form of kerosene
● This success led to cryogenic technology becoming an integral part of
space exploration
1. Use of Cryogenic Insulation (1958)
● New multilayer cryogenic insulation reduced heat transfer via radiation
○ Thin layers of reflective materials, separated by low-conductivity
spacers
● LOX is stored at -183°C, the new insulation allowed the liquid to be
stored for longer, increasing efficiency and reliability
● The multilayer insulation also reduced weight, making it critical in
rocket design and development
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Thank You!
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