Title: Exergy evaluation of integrated liquefier-cryocondensation and cryosorption helium purification systems based on experimental data

Authors: Trijit Kumar Maiti; Sandip Pal; Balaram Kundu; Parthasarathi Ghosh

Addresses: Homi Bhabha National Institute, Kolkata, India; Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre, Kolkata, India ' Homi Bhabha National Institute, Kolkata, India; Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre, Kolkata, India ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, India ' Cryogenic Engineering Centre, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, India

Abstract: The present investigation conducts on two different methods of cryogenic helium purification processes with the identical input (1.50%_v/v N₂ impurity) and output (grade 4.5). Accordingly, exergy analysis has been performed with experimental data on two kinds of commercial purifiers, viz., an integrated liquefier-purifier (cryocondensation) and a cryosorption purifier. The current study evaluates quantitatively the superiority of cryosorption purifier and assesses the exergy performance of helium liquefier on being integrated with different methods of purification systems. The key findings are useful for selecting, augmenting, and developing an efficient purification process.

Keywords: helium; purifier; liquefier; exergy; energy; cryo-condensation; cryosorption; specific power consumption; SPC; figure of merit; FOM.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEX.2022.126550

International Journal of Exergy, 2022 Vol.39 No.3, pp.303 - 323

Received: 27 Sep 2021
Accepted: 21 Feb 2022
Published online: 28 Oct 2022 *

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