Technology of Gravity Cooling and Heat Transfer Systems

TECHNOLOGY OF GRAVITY
COOLING AND HEAT TRANSFER

SYSTEMS
Cite as: AIP Conference Proceedings 1218, 1541 (2010); https://
doi.org/10.1063/1.3422334
Published Online: 23 April 2010
G. E. McIntosh
ARTICLES YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN
DESIGN PARAMETERS FOR CRYOGENIC THERMOSYPHONS

AIP Conference Proceedings 985, 1307 (2008); https://
doi.org/10.1063/1.2908488
EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF A NITROGEN NATURAL CIRCULATION LOOP AT

LOW HEAT FLUX
doi.org/10.1063/1.3422335
DEVELOPMENT OF CRYOGENIC LOOP HEAT PIPE

doi.org/10.1063/1.2908573
AIP Conference Proceedings 1218, 1541 (2010); https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3422334 1218, 1541
© 2010 American Institute of Physics.

TECHNOLOGY OF GRAVITY COOLING AND
HEAT TRANSFER SYSTEMS
G. E. McIntosh
Cryogenic Technical Services

Longmont, Colorado, 80501, USA
ABSTRACT
Dewar pressure build-up coils, thermosiphon cooling systems and closed loop
thermosiphons are simple and effective tools when properly designed and fabricated.
However, out of ignorance or misplaced economy, some of these systems work poorly or
not at all. This paper reviews the fundamentals of gravity systems and addresses the details
of designing each of the three subject applications.
KEYWORDS: Thermosiphon, Free convection, Pressure build-up
INTRODUCTION
Ambient heat exchangers are almost universally used for dewar pressure build-up
(PBU) systems. Thermosiphon systems for cooling with cryogens without pumps are also
effectively used. Less common but no less effective are closed cycle thermosiphon systems
which use external refrigeration to remove heat. Each of these systems rely on a common
technology: One leg of a fluid “U” tube is filled with dense, nominally single phase, liquid
while the other has two-phase fluid of lesser density. The density difference promotes flow
between the two legs which is a function of the geometry, heat load and flow resistance of
the piping array.
There are three design drivers which make these systems work:
1. The liquid leg needs to provide an unobstructed head of liquid with minimal
heat leak.
2. The two-phase leg is subject to boiling and mixed fluid free convection heat
CREDIT LINEwhich
transfer (BELOW)
must TO BE INSERTED
continuously rise toON THE
allow FIRST PAGE
buoyancy forces OF EACH
to act.
PAPER
3. Traps andEXCEPT FOR ARTICLES
flow restrictions in theON pp.transfer
heat 18–25, 26–33, 68–75,
leg must be avoided for
121–127, 136–142, 207–214, 246–253, 355–362, 388–395, 499– 506, 507–514,
maximum performance.
609–614, 780–787, 796–803, 804–811, 905–912, 1291–1300, 1301–1308,
1369–1376, 1581–1592, 1593–1600, and 1647–1651
CP1218, Advances in Cryogenic Engineering: Transactions of the

Cryogenic Engineering Conference - CEC, Vol. 55, edited by J. G. Weisend II
© 2010 American Institute of Physics 0-7354-0761-9/10/$30.00
1541
Cryogen vaporizers are frequently envisioned as completely converting a given inlet
liquid to vapor. This is rarely the case and specifications requiring this performance are
seldom met. The reason for this is that vapor quality values of only a few percent
dramatically decrease the density of the two-phase mix. The differential head produced
provides the driving force for circulating vapor and liquid and it is more efficient to
incorporate a vapor/liquid separation volume than to enlarge the heat exchanger to achieve
complete vaporization. The relation of density to quality for liquid oxygen is illustrated in
FIGURE 1. As shown, the initial liquid density of 1121.4 kg/m3 reduces to a mixture
density of60.94 kg/m3 at 10 % vapor quality. This would provide a differential driving
force of 10.4 kPa (1.508 psi) with a head of only one meter.
FIGURE 1. Two-phase oxygen density as a function of quality
PRESSURE BUILD-UP SYSTEM
A typical dewar pressure buildup (PBU) system is shown in FIGURE 2. The essential
elements are the cryogen container which provides a head of liquid, a shut-off valve, a
down-stream pressure regulator which maintains a stable pressure in the dewar, the
vaporizing heat exchanger and mixture return line which empties into the dewar vapor
space. Good performance requires an adequately sized shut-off valve and pressure
regulator, piping free of traps and a low pressure drop upward sloping heat exchanger.
Common problems include too-small piping with flow traps and poor heat exchangers.
Scrimping on the heat exchanger is the most common problem. The recommended
configuration is shown in FIGURE 3. Two points are emphasized: The heat exchanger
tube (or multiple parallel tubes) has transverse fins (not longitudinal star fin tubes) which
are metallurgically bonded to the tube and the tube must slope upward at least one
diameter over its length. These systems will operate indefinitely with minimal maintenance
if designed properly with high quality components.
1542
FIGURE 2. Typical dewar pressure build-up system.
FIGURE 3. Typical PBU heat exchanger finned tube.
THERMOSIPHON CRYOGEN COOLING SYSTEM
A thermosiphon provides passive cryogenic cooling without pumps. The rate of

cooling is only limited by the fluid mechanics of the circulating loop. In particular, traps
are to be avoided. A typical thermosiphon system is shown in FIGURE 4. Features added
to the basic concept include a liquid nitrogen level controller and a demister in the vapor
vent to reduce liquid carryover. This system was designed and fabricated to cool a 1.524 m
diameter aluminum hemispherical shell having an internal heat load of approximately 10
kW. The entire system operated in a space vacuum chamber with external venting of the
nitrogen vapor. Temperature uniformity on the 5 mm thick aluminum shell was less than 5
K and the liquid nitrogen consumption rate was 230 liters/hr.
1543
FIGURE 4. Liquid nitrogen thermosiphon cooling system.
A photo of the assembly rotated 90 degrees with the lower hemisphere undergoing a
liquid nitrogen cold shock is shown in FIGURE 5. The complete heat transfer
configuration is evident: The upper hemisphere has aluminum extrusions welded in place
awaiting installation of the stainless steel tubing trace lines and manifolds. These are in
place and are being tested on the lower hemisphere. This technique provides excellent heat
transfer with the simplicity of an all stainless steel thermosiphon loop.
FIGURE 5. Thermosiphon cooled high intensity optical assembly.
1544
REFRIGERATED THERMOSIPHON SYSTEM
FIGURE 6 illustrates a closed loop thermosiphon system. The fluid mechanics of this
system are the same as that of FIGURE 4 but a refrigerated condenser is added to re-
condense vapor produced in the cooling section. The same fluid flow caveats apply to this
arrangement as to the above examples. Design of the cryogen condenser is a technology
normally independent of the gravity system described here.
FIGURE 6. Closed loop refrigerated thermosiphon system.
SUMMARY
Guidelines for design of gravity cryogenic heat transfer systems are presented and
illustrated with data and description of an actual high intensity thermosiphon.
1545

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TECHNOLOGY OF GRAVITY

COOLING AND HEAT TRANSFER

ARTICLES YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN

DESIGN PARAMETERS FOR CRYOGENIC THERMOSYPHONS

EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF A NITROGEN NATURAL CIRCULATION LOOP AT

DEVELOPMENT OF CRYOGENIC LOOP HEAT PIPE

AIP Conference Proceedings 1218, 1541 (2010); https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3422334 1218, 1541

© 2010 American Institute of Physics.

Cryogenic Technical Services

KEYWORDS: Thermosiphon, Free convection, Pressure build-up

CP1218, Advances in Cryogenic Engineering: Transactions of the

FIGURE 1. Two-phase oxygen density as a function of quality

PRESSURE BUILD-UP SYSTEM

FIGURE 3. Typical PBU heat exchanger finned tube.

THERMOSIPHON CRYOGEN COOLING SYSTEM

A thermosiphon provides passive cryogenic cooling without pumps. The rate of

FIGURE 5. Thermosiphon cooled high intensity optical assembly.

FIGURE 6. Closed loop refrigerated thermosiphon system.

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