Numerical Simulations of Sub-Atmospheric J-T Heat Exchanger for Superfluid Helium Cryogenic System

Abstract

Superfluid helium has been used for cooling superconducting magnets in nuclear fusion and high energy physics. This paper presents a simplified final stage process of 1.8 K superfluid helium cryogenic system and its key component sub-atmospheric heat exchanger. Influence of variable thermal parameters of sub-atmospheric heat exchanger on the system performance is studied. The application of sub-atmospheric heat exchanger can increase refrigerating capacity by 61.34% under given conditions. The helically finned-tube heat exchanger (HFHE) is selected, and three-dimensional steady-state numerical simulations of flow and heat transfer performance have been carried out. Nu and f of tube side are 4.5-6 times higher and 95-97% lower than those of shell side, respectively. It is found that HFHE with low fin height and HFHE with filler (nylon rope) have better comprehensive heat transfer and flow performance, and PEC can reach 1.65 and 1.41 respectively under given conditions.