• Journal of Information Display
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.45-48
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• 2009

The ionization of a helium atom was investigated as a function of gas pressure, with the use of a tungsten tip. The tungsten tip, to which the external voltage was applied, was used to generate a constant electron current. The ionization current of helium gas was measured as a function of gas pressure. Effective ionization occurred in the pressure range of 0.5-20 torr when the distance between the field emission tip and the collector was 1 cm. The ionization current was linearly proportional to the voltage that was applied to the tungsten tip.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.21-30
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• 2007

Current high-temperature gas-cooled reactors (HTGRs) are based on a closed Brayton cycle with helium gas as the working fluid. Thermodynamic performance of the axial-flow helium gas turbines is of critical concern as it considerably affects the overall cycle efficiency. Helium gas turbines pose some design challenges compared to steam or air turbomachinery because of the physical properties of helium and the uniqueness of the operating conditions at high pressure with low pressure ratio. This report present a review of the helium Brayton cycle experiences in Germany and in Japan. The design and availability of helium gas turbines for HTGR are also presented in this study. We have developed a new throughflow calculation code to calculate the design-point performance of helium gas turbines. Use of the method has been illustrated by applying it to the GTHTR300 reference.

• Progress in Superconductivity and Cryogenics
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.38-42
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• 2012

Fixtures such as bushings in terminations of high temperature superconducting(HTS) power cable systems are subjected to high voltages, which have to transition from ambient to cryogenic temperatures. As such it is imperative to ensure the integrity of the dielectrics under all operating conditions, including thermal aspects brought about by the passage of current. Gaseous helium(GHe) at high pressure is regarded as a potential coolant for superconducting cables. The dielectric aspects of cryogenic helium gas are both complex and demanding. In this experimental study we looked at the interface between a smooth epoxy surface and high pressure helium gas in a homogeneous electric field. The alternating current(AC) flashover voltages of epoxy samples are presented. The results have been analyzed by using Weibull statistics. In addition to the behavior of the epoxy in gaseous helium as a function of pressure and temperature we also present data of the characteristics of the epoxy in mineral oil and in liquid nitrogen($LN_2$). The breakdown characteristics of a uniform field gap in gaseous helium as a function of pressure and temperature under AC, direct current(DC) and lightning impulse voltages are also given. Electric field calculations have been made for one of the experimental geometries in an attempt to explain some of the anomalies in the experimental results.

• Proceedings of the KSME Conference
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• 2001.06d
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• pp.354-359
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• 2001

As the temperature of liquid under negative pressure approaches the absolute zero, the nucleation process due to thermal fluctuations hardly occurs. Instead of this mechanism, quantum fluctuations may lead the formation of nucleus for new phase in metastable state. In this study, the thermal as well as quantum nucleation bubble in liquid helium under negative pressure was investigated theoretically. The energy barrier against nucleation was estimated by molecular interaction due to the Londom dispersion force. It is shown that the phase transition from liquid to vapor in is possible due to the quantum tunneling below 0.2 K for Helium-4 and 0.1 K for Helium-3, at negative pressures close to the ideal tensile strength at which every liquid molecules become bubbles simultaneously.

• Progress in Superconductivity and Cryogenics
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.30-34
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• 2016

An integral crank driven Stirling cryocooler is solidly based on concepts of direct IR detector mounting on the cryocooler's cold finger, and the integral construction of the cryocooler and Dewar envelope. Performance factors of the cryocooler depend on operating conditions of the cryocooler such as a cyclic mean pressure of the working fluid, a rotational speed of driving mechanism, a thermal environment, a targeted operation temperature and etc.. At given charging condition of helium gas, the cyclic mean pressure of helium gas in the cryocooler changes with temperatures of the cold end and the environment. In this study, effects of the cyclic mean pressure of helium gas on performances of the Stirling cryocooler were investigated by numerical analyses using the Sage software. The simulation model takes into account thermodynamic losses due to an inefficiency of regenerator, a pressure drop, a shuttle heat transfer and solid conductions. Simulations are performed for the performance variation according to the cyclic mean pressure induced by the temperature of the cold end and the environment. This paper presents P-V works in the compression and expansion space, cooling capacity, contribution of losses in the expansion space.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.1154-1161
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• 2016

The heat transfer characteristics between liquid lead bismuth eutectic (LBE) and helium are of great significance for the two-loop cooling system based on an accelerator-driven system (ADS). This paper presents an experimental study on the resistance characteristics and heat transfer performance in a LBE-helium experimental loop of ADS. Pressure drops in the LBE loop, the main heat transfer, and the coupled heat transfer characteristics between LBE and helium are investigated experimentally. The temperature of LBE has a significant effect on the LBE thermo-physical properties, and is therefore considered in the prediction of pressure drops. The results show that the overall heat transfer coefficient increases with the increasing helium flow rate and the decreasing inlet temperature of helium. Increasing the LBE Reynolds number and LBE inlet temperature promotes the heat transfer performance of main heat transfer and thus the overall heat transfer coefficient. The experimental results give an insight into the flow and heat transfer properties in a LBE-helium heat exchanger and are helpful for the optimization of an ADS system design.

• Applied Science and Convergence Technology
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.47-50
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• 2016

Low temperature test for half-wave resonator (HWR) cryomodule is performed at the superfluid helium temperature of 2 K. The effective temperature is defined for non-uniform temperature distribution. Helium leak detection techniques are introduced for cryogenic system. Experimental set up is shown to make the low temperature test for the HWR cryomodule. The cooldown procedure of the HWR cryomodule is shown from room temperature to 2 K. The cryomodules is precooled with liquid nitrogen and then liquid helium is supplied to the helium reservoirs and cavities. The pressure of cavity and chamber are monitored as a function of time. The vacuum pressure of the cryomodule is not increased at 2 K, which shows leak-tight in the superfluid helium environment. Static heat load is also measured for the cryomodule at 2.5 K.

• Progress in Superconductivity and Cryogenics
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.68-73
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• 2022

Thermoacoustic oscillations (TAOs) are spontaneous pressure oscillations frequently seen in hydrogen or helium cryogenic systems. Half-open tubes connected to cryogenic fluid with a closed room temperature end have a high potential for oscillation generation. Thermoacoustic oscillations will result in significant pressure fluctuations and additional heat load, endangering the security and stability of the cryogenic system. The goal of this paper is to investigate TAOs in superfluid helium using both theoretical and experimental methods. Five half-open tubes with varied typical inner diameters inserted into superfluid helium were installed in a test cryostat. The onset characteristics of thermoacoustic oscillations were presented and studied. The effect of temperature profile was discussed. Finally, a simple eliminating method was introduced.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.54 no.6
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• pp.2311-2320
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• 2022

The main outcomes of the experiments H2P6 performed in the thermal-hydraulics large-scale PANDA facility at PSI in the frame of the OECD/NEA HYMERES-2 project are presented in this article. The experiments of the H2P6 series consists of two PANDA tests characterized by the activation of three (H2P6_1) or one (H2P6_2) cooler(s) in an initially stratified and pressurized containment atmosphere. The initial stratification is defined by a helium-rich region located in the upper part of the vessel and a steam/air atmosphere in the lower part. The activation of the cooler(s) results i) in the condensation of the steam in the vicinity of the cooler(s), ii) the corresponding activation of large scale natural circulation currents in the vessel atmosphere, with the result of iii) the re-distribution and mixing of the Helium stratification initially located in the upper half of the vessel and iv) the continuous pressure decay. The initial helium layer represents hydrogen generated in a postulated severe accident. The main question to be answered by the experiments is whether or not the interaction of the different, localized cooler units would be important for the application of numerical methods. The paper describes the initial and boundary conditions and the experimental results of the H2P6 series with the suggestion of simple scaling laws for both experiments in terms of i) the temperature difference(s) across the cooler(s), ii) the transient steam and helium content and iii) the pressure decay in the vessel. The outcomes of this scaling indicate that the interaction between separate, closely localized units does not play a prominent role for the present experiments. It is therefore reasonable to model several units as one large component with equivalent heat transfer area and total water flow rate.

• Korean Journal of Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.287-292
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• 2004

An experimental investigation was carried out to study the performance of a bubble pump for the diffusion absorption refrigerating system. Ammonia was used as the refrigerant and the helium was charged in order to balance the pressure between the low and high pressure side. As experimental variables, the concentration of ammonia charged into system, heat input, and the pressure of helium were selected. Experimental results show that the generation rate of ammonia vapor and the circulation rate of diluted ammonia solution were increased as the heat input increases, but the ratio of the solution to vapor flow rate was decreased. The generation rate of refrigerant vapor and the circulation rate of diluted ammonia solution increased as the system pressure decreased. Finally under the condition of 25 bars, the concentration of rich ammonia solution was not affected by the generation rate of ammonia vapor and the circulation of diluted ammonia solution.