MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

CODE COURSE NAME CATEGORY L T P CREDIT

MET476 CRYOGENIC ENGINEERING PEC 2 1 0 3

Preamble: This course provides fundamental knowledge of types of cryogenic fluids,

behavior of materials and properties at temperatures, liquefaction systems, cryogenic
refrigeration, gas separation, purification, insulators, cryogenic storage, transfer and
measuring instruments

Prerequisite: MET202-Engineering Thermodynamics, MET303-Thermal Engineering

Course Outcomes :After completion of the course the student will be able to
Explain the properties of cryogenic liquids and properties of material at
CO1
cryogenic temperatures
CO2 Describe and analyze cryogenic liquefaction systems using first principles of
thermodynamics
CO3 Describe and analyze cryogenics refrigeration using first principles of
thermodynamics
CO4 Identify insulation system for cryogenic application and explain cryogenic storage
vessels.
CO5 Understand gas separation and purification methods

CO6 Understand instrumentation for various measurements in cryogenic engineering.

Mapping of course outcomes with program outcomes

PO PO PO PO PO PO PO PO PO PO PO PO
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
CO 1 3 2 1
CO 2 3 2
CO 3 3 2 1
CO 4 3 1
CO 5 3 1

Assessment Pattern

Continuous Assessment
End Semester Examination
Bloom’s Category Tests
(in %)
1 (in %) 2 (in %)
Remember 10 10 10
Understand 20 20 20
Apply 20 20 70
Analyse
Evaluate
Create

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Mark distribution

Total CIE ESE ESE

Marks Marks Marks Duration

150 50 100 3 hours

Continuous Internal Evaluation Pattern:

Attendance : 10 marks
Continuous Assessment Test (2 numbers) : 25 marks
Assignment/Quiz/Course project : 15 marks

End Semester Examination Pattern: There will be two parts; Part A and Part B. Part A
contain 10 questions with 2 questions from each module, having 3 marks for each question.
Students should answer all questions. Part B contains 2 questions from each module of which
student should answer any one. Each question can have maximum 2 sub-divisions and carry
14 marks.

Course Level Assessment Questions:

Course Outcome 1 (CO1):

1. Describe in detail the variation of mechanical properties of various materials at
cryogenic temperatures
2. Explain the terms i) Transition temperature and ii) Critical current of
superconductors.
3. Explain the application of cryogenics in space technology.

Course Outcome 2 (CO2):

1. Explain the production of low temperatures using Joule-Thomson effect.
2. How the cryo coolers are classified? Explain the working of strilling cycle cryo
cooler.
3. Explain about the working of a precooled Linde-Hampson system with suitable
diagram for neon and hydrogen.

Course Outcome 3 (CO3):

1. Explain the working of Vuilleumier refrigerator with neat sketch.
2. Explain briefly the importance of refrigerator effectiveness.
3. Explain refrigerators using solids as working media.

Course Outcome 4 (CO4):

1. Explain about the basic design parameters of cryogenic fluid storage vessels.
2. Explain the different types and use of insulations in cryogenic applications.
3. Explain about the cryogenic fluid transfer system.

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Course Outcome 5 (CO5):

1. Explain the pressure measurement system used in cryogenic applications.
2. Explain the working principle of different types of cryogenic liquid level
indicators.
3. Explain different temperature measuring techniques used in cryogenic
applications.

Model Question Paper

APJ ABDUL KALAM TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY

VIII SEMESTER B.TECH DEGREE EXAMINATION

MET476: CRYOGENIC ENGINEERING

Maximum: 100 Marks Duration: 3 hours

PART A
Answer all questions, each question carries 3 marks
1. Explain the historical development of cryogenics?
2. Distinguish between Ortho Hydrogen and Para Hydrogen.
3. Explain Meissner effect?
4. Explain Joule Thomson coefficient.
5. What are the performance parameters to be considered in gas liquefaction systems?
6. Define FOM for the refrigerator.
7. What is vapour shielding in cryogenic vessels?
8. What are super insulations?
9. Write a short note on hydrostatic liquid level gauge.
10. List few heat exchangers used in cryogenic systems.
(10 X 3 = 30 marks)

PART B
Answer one full question from each module
Module 1
11. a) What is cryogenics? Mention the few areas involving cryogenic engineering
(7 marks)
b) Determine the thermal conductivity of air at 250 K and 101.3 kPa if the mean free
path of air at this condition is 49 nm, the gas constant for air is 287 J/kg K, the
specific heat ratio is 1.4 and the specific heat at constant volume is 716.5 J/kg K.
(7 marks)
12. a) With sketches, explain the different critical components present in gas liquefaction
systems. (7 marks)

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b) With the help of a T-s diagram explain working of a Simon Helium liquefier.
(7 marks)

Module 2
13. a) Compare Claude Liquefaction system and Linde Hampson Liquefaction systems.
(4 marks)
b) Explain the Joule Thomson effect. Show the inversion curve of a real gas on a T-p
diagram.
Prove that an ideal gas will not experience a temperature change upon isenthalpic
expansion. (10 marks)

14. a) With sketches, explain the different critical components present in gas liquefaction
systems. (7 marks)
b) With the help of a T-s diagram explain working of a Simon Helium liquefier.
(7 marks)

Module 3
15. a) Explain the working of a dilution refrigerator with neat schematic. (7 marks)

b) With the help of schematic and T-S diagram, explain Philips Refrigerator. Also
explain briefly the importance of refrigerator effectiveness. (7 marks)

16. a) What are the gas purification methods? With sketches, explain adsorption purifier
along with refrigerator purifier. (7 marks)

b) With sketches, explain Linde single column gas separation system. (7 marks)

Module 4
17. a) With sketches, explain the cryogenic fluid storage vessels. (7 marks)

b) Write about vacuum insulation and opacified powder insulation used in cryogenics.
(7 marks)

18. a) Explain about cryogenic fluid transfer systems. (7 marks)

b) With Sketch, explain the functions of different components in a Dewar vessel.

(7 marks)

Module 5
19. a) Explain the working of a turbine flow meter. (7 marks)

b) Write short notes on the various heat exchanger configurations used in cryogenic
systems. (7 marks)

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20. a) Explain the different temperature measurement techniques used in cryogenic

application (7 marks)
b) Explain different safety devices used in cryogenic liquid storage systems.
(7 marks)

Syllabus
Module 1
Introduction to cryogenic engineering, Historical background - Major events in the
development of cryogenic engineering, Low Temperature properties of Engineering
Materials - Mechanical properties- Thermal properties- Electric and magnetic properties,
Cryogenic fluids and their properties.
Applications of cryogenics: Applications in space, food processing, super conductivity,
electrical power, biology, medicine, electronics and cutting tool industry.

Module 2
Liquefaction systems – System performance parameters, ideal liquefaction system,
Joule-Thomson expansion, Adiabatic expansion, Liquefaction systems for gases other
than Neon. Hydrogen and Helium. Simple Linde - Hampson system, Claude &
Cascaded System.
Liquefaction systems for Neon. Hydrogen and Helium – LN2 precooled Linde
Hampson and Claude systems, Ortho to Para conversion arrangement in hydrogen
liquefaction system, Simon Helium liquefaction system, Collins Helium liquefaction
system. Critical components of Liquefaction systems – critical components and their
effect on system performance.

Module 3
Cryogenic Refrigeration systems: Ideal isothermal and isobaric refrigeration systems-
Refrigeration using liquids as refrigerant- Linde-Hampson refrigerator, Claude refrigerator.
Refrigeration using gases as refrigerant- Stirling cycle cryocoolers, Philips refrigerator,
Effect of regenerator effectiveness on performance of Philips refrigerator, Gifford
McMahon refrigerators. Refrigerators using solids as working media-Magnetic refrigerators
– Thermodynamics of magnetic refrigerators, dilution refrigerators.

Module 4
Gas separation and purification: - Thermodynamic ideal separation system, mixture
characteristics, principle of gas separation, separation of air, hydrogen and helium, gas
purification methods

Cryogenic fluid storage and transfer systems:, Cryogenic fluid storage vessel, Thermal
insulation and their performance at cryogenic temperatures, Super Insulations, Vacuum
insulation, Powder insulation, Cryogenic fluid transfer systems, Cryo pumping.

Module 5
Cryogenic instrumentation, Pressure measurement – Mc Leod gauge, Pirani gauge and
Penning gauge, Flow measurement – Orifice meter, Venturi meter and Turbine flow
meter. Liquid level gauges- hydrostatic, resistance gauge,, capacitance gauge anf

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thermodynamic gauge, Temperature measurements- ITS-90, Thermocouple, RTD,

magnetic thermometers and vapor pressure thermometers, Types of heat exchangers
used in cryogenic systems, Safety in cryogenic fluid handling, storage and use.

Text Books:
1. Randal F. Barron, Cryogenic systems, McGraw Hill, 1986
2. M Mukhopadhyay, Fundamentals of Cryogenic Engineering, PHI Learning , 2010
3. K. D. Timmerhaus and T. M. Flynn, Cryogenic Process Engineering, Springer, 2013
4. S.S Thipse, Cryogenics, Narrosa, 2012

Reference Books:
1. A. R. Jha, Cryogenic Technology and applications, Elsevier Science, 2011
2. R. B. Scott, Cryogenic Engineering, Van Nostrand Co., 1989
3. M. D. Atrey (Ed.) Cryocoolers: Theory and Applications, 1st ed., International Cryogenics
Monograph Series, Springer International Publishing, 2020

Course Contents and Lecture Schedule

No. Topic No. of Lectures

1 Module 1
Introduction to Cryogenic Systems, Historical
development, Low Temperature properties of
1.1 Engineering Materials, Mechanical properties- Thermal 4
properties- Electric and magnetic properties –Cryogenic
fluids and their properties.
Applications of Cryogenics: Applications in space, Food
Processing, super conductivity, Electrical Power,
1.21.2 Biology, Medicine, Electronics and Cutting Tool 3
Industry. Low temperature properties of engineering
materials
2 Module 2
Liquefaction systems ideal system, Joule Thomson
expansion, Adiabatic expansion, Linde - Hampson
2.1 4
Cycle, Claude & Cascaded System, Magnetic Cooling,
Stirling Cycle Cryo Coolers.
Gas liquefaction systems: Introduction-Production of
1.22.2 low temperatures-General Liquefaction systems-
4
Liquefaction systems for Neon. Hydrogen and Helium –
Critical components of Liquefaction systems
3 Module 3
Cryogenic Refrigeration systems: Ideal Refrigeration
3.1 systems- Refrigeration using liquids and gases as 4
refrigerant- Refrigerators using solids as working media

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Gas separation and purification: Thermodynamic ideal

1.23.2 separation system, mixture characteristics, principle of gas
3
separation, separation of air, hydrogen and helium, gas
purification methods
4 Module 4
Cryogenic fluid storage and transfer systems:
Cryogenic Storage vessels and Transportation, Thermal
insulation and their performance at cryogenic
4.1 7
temperatures, Super Insulations, Vacuum insulation,
Powder insulation, Cryogenic fluid transfer systems,
Cryo pumping.
5 Module 5
Cryogenic instrumentation, Pressure flow-level and
temperature measurements, Types of heat exchangers
5.1 7
used in cryogenic systems, Safety in cryogenic fluid
handling, storage and use.

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