Cryogenic Engineering
Lecture 1: Introduction to Cryogenic Engineering
Prof. Dipanshu Bansal
Department of Mechanical Engineering
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What is cryogenics?
• Kryo – Very cold (frost)
Greek origin
• Genics – to produce
Cryogenics Refrigeration
(<123 K) (going below
ambient)
CH4 (111.66 K) R134a (246.8 K)
O2 (90.19 K) R12 (243.3 K)
Air (78.6 K) R22 (233 K)
N2 (77.36 K) Propane (231.1
K)
H2 (20.39 K) R-143a (225.9 K)
He (4.2 K) Ethane (184 K)
Books/References
•Randall F. Barron, “Cryogenics Systems”, Second Edition,
Oxford University Press, New York (1985).
•Timmerhaus, Flynn, ”Cryogenic Process Engineering “, Plenum
Press, New York (1989).
•Pipkov, “ Fundamentals of Vacuum Engineering “, Mir
Publishers, Moscow.
•Thomas M. Flynn, “Cryogenic Engineering”, second edition,
CRC press, New York (2005).
Topics to be covered
• Properties of cryogenics fluids
• Properties of materials at cryogenic temperatures
• Gas-Liquefaction and Refrigeration systems
• Gas separation (after midsemester exam)
Grading policy
• 20% quizzes (2 quizzes, one before and one after midsemester)
• 20% Midsemester exam
• 20% Project (periodic presentation, topic to be selected in first two weeks)
• 40% End semester exam
Attendance compulsory (DX grade for less than 80% attendance)
Academic malpractices:
http://www.iitb.ac.in/newacadhome/punishments201521July.pdf
Cryogenics Applications (space)
•LH2 as a fuel to propel the rocket
•LO2 as an oxidizer
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquariu
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-06216-5
s_%28rocket%29
Cryogenics Applications (medicine)
•-15 oC for intracellular ice formation
•-50 oC for the destruction of malignant neoplasms
https://www.myupchar.com/en/surge
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryopreservation
ry/cryosurgery
Cryogenics Applications (gas industry)
Gas Liquefaction Gas Separation
https://www.linde-
engineering.com/products-
and-services/process-
plants/air-separation-
plants
Cryogenic storage
tank
https://inoxcva.com/
https://engineering.electrical-equipment.org/electrical-
Superconducting generator distribution/super-conducting-generators.html
Cryogenics Applications (superconductivity)
NMR MRI
https://www.bruker.com/en/products-and- https://www.medicalimagingsource.com/mag
solutions/mr/nmr.html netic-resonance-imaging-mri
Maglev
https://www.energy.gov/articles/how
-maglev-works
Cryogenics Applications (high energy physics)
CERN (European Council for Nuclear Research) ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor)
https://home.cern/science/accelerators https://www.iter.org/project/construction-
archives/cryoplant
• 27 km accelerator ring with four detectors.
• All the magnet systems (SC) and their • Nuclear fusion reactor for generating energy
accessories are kept at 1.9 K using liquid • Superconducting magnets maintained at 4 K
helium.
Cryogenics Applications (Mechanical)
Heat treatment Cryogenic recycling
https://blog.metlabheattreat.com/posts/cr https://www.polysys.com/applications/cryoge
yogenic-processing-at-metlab/ nic-fine-grinding/
Cryogenic manufacturing
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/
article/pii/S0007850616302402
Applications – Space
Space
• Rocket propulsion
• Cooling of Infra-Red (IR)
sensor
• Space simulation
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Prof. M D Atrey, Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Bombay
Applications – Space
• Cryogenic engines are powered by cryogenic
propellants.
• Liquid Hydrogen is used as a fuel to propel the
rocket.
• Liquid Oxygen is used as an oxidizer.
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Prof. M D Atrey, Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Bombay
Applications – Space
• Cooling of IR detectors, Telescopes, Cold probes,
etc. are some of the major applications of
cryogenics.
• Development of miniature and small cryocoolers
for satellites for an improved accuracy and
reliability of earth observation.
• Space simulations chambers are realistic
environment for air craft. The cold space is
simulated at cryogenic temperatures by use of
LN2.
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Prof. M D Atrey, Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Bombay
Applications – Space
• The levels of vacuum required in space
simulation chambers are vey high.
• This is achieved by the use of cryo pumps and
turbo molecular pumps.
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Prof. M D Atrey, Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Bombay
Applications – Mechanical
Mechanical
• Magnetic Separation
• Heat treatment
• Recycling
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Prof. M D Atrey, Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Bombay
Applications – Mechanical
• Magnetic separation technique is used in variety
of applications like enhancing the brightness of
kaolin, improving the quality of ultra-high purity
quartz etc.- Superconducting Magnet ensures
proper separation.
• The lives of the tools, die castings & their dies,
forgings, jigs & fixtures etc increase when
subjected to cryogenic heat treatment.
• The life of guitar strings increases by 4 to 5
times with no need for tuning.
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Prof. M D Atrey, Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Bombay
Applications – Mechanical
• Cryogenic recycling - turns the scrap into raw
material by subjecting it to cryogenic
temperatures.
• This is mostly used for PVC, rubbers.
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Prof. M D Atrey, Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Bombay
Applications – Medicine
Medicine
• Cryosurgery
• Cell preservation
• Food preservation
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Prof. M D Atrey, Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Bombay
Applications – Medicine
• Cryosurgery is a novel technique in which the
harmful tissues are destroyed by freezing them
to cryogenic temperature.
• Cryosurgery has shorter hospital stay, less blood
loss, and small recovery time.
• It is generally used in patients with localized
prostate and kidney cancer, skin disorders,
retinal problems, etc.
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Prof. M D Atrey, Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Bombay
Applications – Medicine
• Preserving food at low temperature is a well
known technique.
• Cooling of sea foods, meat (sea export), milk
products for long time preservation is achieved
by use of LN2.
• Systems are developed to preserve blood cells,
plasma cells, human organs and animal organs
at cryogenic temperatures.
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Prof. M D Atrey, Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Bombay
Applications – Gas Industry
Gas Industry
• Liquefaction
• Separation
• Storage
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Prof. M D Atrey, Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Bombay
Applications – Gas Industry
• The transportation of gases across the world is
done in liquid state. This is done by storing the
liquid at cryogenic temperature.
• The use of inert gases in welding industry has
initiated higher demand for gas production in the
recent past.
• Cryogens like LOX, LH2 are used in rocket
propulsion while LH2 is being considered for
automobile.
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Prof. M D Atrey, Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Bombay
Applications – Gas Industry
• Liquid nitrogen is used as precoolant in most of
the cryogenic systems.
• Steel industry – Oxygen is used in the
production of steel. Basic Oxygen Furnace (BOF)
uses oxygen instead of air.
• Nitrogen and argon are primarily used to
provide an inert atmosphere in chemical,
metallurgical and welding industries.
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Prof. M D Atrey, Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Bombay
Applications – Supercond.
Superconductivity
• NMR, MRI
• Maglev Locomotion
• Transformer & Generators
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Prof. M D Atrey, Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Bombay
Applications – Supercond.
rF Coil
• The NMR (Nuclear
Magnetic
Resonance) is
Magnetic
scanning used by the
coil pharmaceutical
industry to study
Magnet the molecular
LHe structure.
LN2
Sample
tube
Sample
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Prof. M D Atrey, Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Bombay
Applications – Supercond.
rF Coil
• It has a
superconducting
magnet (10 T ~25
Magnetic
scanning T) and the
coil accuracy of
measurement
Magnet increases with
LHe field strength.
LN2
Sample
tube
Sample
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Prof. M D Atrey, Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Bombay
Applications – Supercond.
40K shield • The MRI (Magnetic
Cryocooler
Resonance Imaging)
machines are used for
20K body scanning.
• The SC magnets for
both NMR and MRI
machines are cooled by
LHe liquid Helium.
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Prof. M D Atrey, Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Bombay
Applications – Supercond.
• Maglev Train runs on the principle of Magnetic
Levitation.
• The train gets levitated from the guide way by
using electromagnetic forces between
superconducting magnets on the vehicle and
coils on the ground.
• This results in no contact motion and therefore
no friction.
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Prof. M D Atrey, Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Bombay
Applications – Supercond.
• Superconducting
transformers and
LN2 Inlet generators have coils
LN2 Outlet
Cryostat (and cores
sometimes)
maintained at low
Cryocooler temperature to
(LN2 vessel) Core minimize the I2R
(copper) losses.
Winding
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Prof. M D Atrey, Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Bombay
Applications – High E Physics
High Energy Physics
• CERN
• ITER
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Prof. M D Atrey, Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Bombay
Applications – High E Physics
• CERN is an European organisation for nuclear
research which was founded in 1954.
• It consists of a 27Km accelerator ring with four
detectors.
• All the magnet systems (SC) and its accessories
are kept at 1.9 K using the liquid helium.
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Prof. M D Atrey, Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Bombay
Applications – High E Physics
• A liquid nitrogen layer (77 K) is used as shielding
for liquid helium.
• It is an experiment seeking answers to Big Bang
theory and collision of atomic particles.
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Prof. M D Atrey, Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Bombay
Applications – High E Physics
• ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental
Reactor) is an engineering project for nuclear
fusion reactor.
• The superconducting magnets are maintained at
4 K by liquid helium.
• The experiments are carried out to enable
mankind to generate energy for future.
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Prof. M D Atrey, Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Bombay
Applications – Summary
Space Mechanical
• Rocket propulsion • Magnetic Separation
• Cooling of IR sensor • Manufacturing
• Space simulation • Heat treatment
Medicine • Recycling
• Cryosurgery High Energy Physics
• Cell preservation • ITER
• Food preservation • CERN
Gas Industry Superconductivity
• Liquefaction • NMR, MRI
• Separation • Maglev Locomotion
• Storage • SC Transformer &
Generator
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Prof. M D Atrey, Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Bombay
Thank You!
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Prof. M D Atrey, Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Bombay
