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Cryocoolers for Superconducting Generators

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Cryocoolers

Part of the book series: International Cryogenics Monograph Series ((ICMS))

Abstract

Historically, the cooling of superconducting generators has been an immensely complex and expensive undertaking. The process requires large, high-power, stationary helium liquefaction plants, usually situated separately from a generator, using long transfer lines to supply a continuous liquid helium flow to the generator. The lack of a suitable, economically viable cryogenic infrastructure and the resulting technical challenges, e.g., the need for a rotary transfer coupling, proved to be stumbling blocks on the path to successful commercialization. As of today, and nearly 50 years later, initial generator cooldown time, coupled with mean time between failure service requirement and operational recooling after an outage are still the main cryogenic concerns. The following chapter touches briefly on the early beginnings of the process and outlines the technological efforts and progress made in this respect until now. It further illustrates how the exceptional modularity of today’s cryocoolers, as manifested by their siteability, by the option of combining cryocoolers with different cooling capacities depending on their cryogenic system design and by their greatly improved, long maintenance intervals, enables the advancement of superconducting generator technology, accelerating its market readiness.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. GE Research, Biology and Applied Physics, Cryogenics & Superconducting Magnet Applications, One Research Circle, Niskayuna, NY, USA

    Wolfgang Stautner

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  1. Wolfgang Stautner
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Correspondence to Wolfgang Stautner .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Refrigeration and Cryogenics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Bombay, Mumbai, India

    Milind D. Atrey

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Stautner, W. (2020). Cryocoolers for Superconducting Generators. In: Atrey, M. (eds) Cryocoolers. International Cryogenics Monograph Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-11307-0_6

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