Modeling and Dynamic Simulation of a Large Scale Helium Refrigerator

In order to simulate the transient behaviors of a newly developed 2 kW helium refrigerator, a numerical model of the critical equipment including a screw compressor with variable-frequency drive, plate-fin heat exchangers, a turbine expander, and pneumatic valves wasdeveloped. In the simulation,the calculation of the helium thermodynamic properties arebased on 32-parameter modified Benedict-Webb-Rubin (MBWR) state equation.The start-up process of the warm compressor station with gas management subsystem, and the cool-down process of cold box in an actual operation, were dynamically simulated. The developed model was verified by comparing the simulated results with the experimental data.Besides, system responses of increasing heat load were simulated. This model can also be used to design and optimize other large scale helium refrigerators.